[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.