    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [November 22, 1994]
    [Pages 2122-2123]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Bosnia-Herzegovina
    November 22, 1994

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        I last reported to the Congress on August 22, 1994, on our support
    for the United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO)
    efforts to achieve peace and security in Bosnia-Herzegovina. I am
    informing you today of recent developments in these efforts, including
    the use of U.S. combat aircraft on November 21, 1994, to attack
    airfields and related facilities in Serb-held Croatian territory used by
    Serb forces to launch air strikes against the town of Bihac in Bosnia-
    Herzegovina.
        Since the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution
    (UNSCR) 713 on September 25, 1991, the United Nations has actively
    sought solutions to the humanitarian and ethnic crisis in the former
    Yugoslavia. Under UNSCRs 824 (May 6, 1993) and 836 (June 4, 1993)
    certain portions of Bosnia-Herzegovina have been established as safe
    areas, including the town of Bihac. Member states, acting nationally or
    through regional organizations, have been authorized to use all
    necessary measures, through the use of air power, in and around the safe
    areas, to support the United Nations Protection Forces (UNPROFOR) in the
    performance of its mandate.
        The air strikes conducted on November 21, 1994, were in response to
    Serb air strikes launched November 18 and 19, 1994, from Udbina airfield
    in the Krajina region of Croatia against the town of Bihac and other
    areas of northwest Bosnia. The United Nations has informed us that the
    Serbs dropped napalm and cluster munitions during their attack on
    November 18 in Bihac, placing approximately 1,200 UNPROFOR troops
    deployed in Bihac in jeopardy. We are further informed that the Serb
    attack on November 19 was against the town of Cazin, about 10 miles
    north of Bihac, causing between 9 and 15 civilian casualties.
        In response to the Serb attacks, the United Nations Security Council
    unanimously adopted UNSCR 958 on November 19, 1994, expressly deciding
    that the authorizations in previous resolutions also applied in the
    Republic of Croatia. Meeting the same day, the North Atlantic Council
    agreed to respond positively to UNSCR 958 and authorized the Commander
    in Chief, NATO Allied Forces Southern Europe (CINCSOUTH), in accordance
    with existing procedures, to conduct air strikes in response to attacks
    on or that threaten the U.N. safe areas in Bosnia-Herzegovina launched
    from U.N. protected areas of Croatia.
        The NATO strikes launched on November 21, 1994, included 39 aircraft
    from the Netherlands, France, United Kingdom, NATO, and the United
    States. The aircraft struck targets at Udbina airfield, including
    runways, taxiways, radars, and air defenses located at the airfield. No
    aircraft were lost or damaged in conducting the attacks. Initial battle
    damage assessments indicate that runways and taxiways were cratered and
    that an air defense radar was destroyed.

    [[Page 2123]]

        I authorized these actions in conjunction with our NATO allies in
    order to carry out the U.N. and NATO decisions of November 19 and to
    answer UNPROFOR's request for assistance. As I have indicated in the
    past, our efforts in the former Yugoslavia are intended to assist the
    parties to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict. I have
    directed the participation by U.S. Armed Forces in this effort pursuant
    to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign relations of the
    United States and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.
        I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
    Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. I am
    grateful for the continuing support that the Congress has provided, and
    I look forward to continued cooperation with you in this endeavor. I
    shall communicate with you further regarding our efforts for peace and
    stability in the former Yugoslavia.
        Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.
    This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    November 23.