    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [December 22, 1994]
    [Pages 2200-2201]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Peacekeeping Operations in
    the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
    December 22, 1994

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        I am providing you my fourth report on the continuing deployment of
    a U.S. Army peacekeeping contingent as part of the United Nations
    Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
    (FYROM), consistent with the War Powers Resolution.
        As you know, U.N. Security Council Resolution 795 established the
    UNPROFOR Macedonia mission as part of an effort to prevent the Balkan
    conflict from spreading and to contribute

    [[Page 2201]]

    stability in the region. This mission was initially composed of a Nordic
    battalion, which deployed in early 1993. In July 1993, I directed that a
    U.S. Army contingent be deployed to FYROM in order to augment the
    UNPROFOR Macedonia mission, a deployment welcomed by the U.N. Security
    Council in its Resolution 842. In April of this year, the United Nations
    requested that we increase the U.S. contingent in order to replace
    elements of the Nordic battalion, which was being redeployed to Bosnia-
    Herzegovina. In response to this request, we augmented the U.S.
    contingent with the deployment of an additional U.S. Army reinforced
    company.
        Through observation and monitoring operations along the FYROM border
    with Serbia, UNPROFOR Macedonia continues to be effective in preventing
    a spillover of the conflict. This mission has been carried out safely
    with no hostilities encountered and no U.S. casualties since the
    operation began. The mission has the support of both the FYROM
    Government and its people. Our forces will remain fully prepared not
    only to fulfill their peacekeeping mission, but to defend themselves if
    necessary. The units currently comprising the U.S. contingent will soon
    be replaced by approximately 500 soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 5th
    Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Kirchgons, Germany.
        The U.S. contribution to the UNPROFOR Macedonia peacekeeping effort
    is part of our larger continuing commitment toward resolving the
    extremely difficult situation in the former Yugoslavia. I have continued
    the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces for these purposes pursuant to my
    constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations and as Commander
    in Chief.
        I remain grateful for the continuing support the Congress has
    provided, and I look forward to continued cooperation with you in this
    endeavor.
        Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of
    the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on December 23.