[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
[May 24, 1995]
[Pages 744-746]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Bosnia-Herzegovina
May 24, 1995

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    In my report to the Congress of November 22, 1994, I provided 
further information on the deployment of U.S. combat-equipped aircraft 
to support efforts of the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization (NATO) to

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achieve peace and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina. On December 22, 1994, 
I also provided my fourth report on the continuing deployment of a U.S. 
Army peacekeeping contingent as part of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in 
the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. I am now providing this 
follow-up report, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, to ensure 
that the Congress is kept informed about important U.S. contributions in 
support of multilateral efforts in the former Yugoslavia.
    U.S. combat-equipped fighter aircraft and other support aircraft 
continue to contribute to NATO's enforcement of the no-fly zone in the 
airspace over Bosnia-Herzegovina. In accordance with U.N. Security 
Council Resolutions 781, 786 and 816, this operation has since April 
1993, enforced a ban on flights not authorized by the United Nations 
Protection Force (UNPROFOR). Enforcement of the no-fly zone, has 
resulted in the almost complete elimination of fixed-wing air to ground 
bombing and other air combat activity within the zone thereby greatly 
limiting the scope of the conflict in the region. Military personnel 
from 11 other NATO member nations have joined us in this effort, which 
has involved almost 60,000 sorties since the operation began. U.S. 
forces currently assigned to this operation consist of approximately 100 
tactical aircraft as well as supporting tanker and other support 
aircraft.
    The U.N. Security Council has established safe areas in Bosnia-
Herzegovina and has authorized Member States and regional organizations, 
in close coordination with the United Nations, to take all necessary 
measures, through the use of air power, to support UNPROFOR in its 
mandate related to the safe areas. The Council has also authorized 
Member States and regional organizations, in close coordination with the 
United Nations, to take all necessary measures to extend close air 
support to protect U.N. forces in Croatia. More than 70 U.S. aircraft, 
including those identified above, are available for participation in 
authorized NATO missions for these purposes.
    On March 31, 1995, the Security Council separated UNPROFOR into 
three operations: The United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in 
Croatia (UNCRO); The United Nations Preventive Deployment Force 
(UNPREDEP) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and UNPROFOR in 
Bosnia-Herzegovina. A U.S. Army contingent remains deployed as part of 
UNPREDEP. Through observation and monitoring along the Serbian border, 
UNPREDEP continued to be effective in preventing the Balkan conflict 
from spreading and thereby contributes to the stability of the region. 
The approximately 500 U.S. soldiers contributing to this mission are 
assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 1st Armored Division, 
Baumholder, Germany.
    In addition to these operations, U.S. forces have conducted more 
than 4,300 missions in support of the U.N. High Commissioner for 
Refugees airlift to Sarajevo. U.S. medical and other support personnel 
continue to provide critical services in support of UNPROFOR and UNCRO. 
U.S. naval forces are also continuing to assist in enforcing U.N. 
sanctions, subject to the restrictions of the Nunn-Mitchell Amendment, 
as part of NATO's participation in Operation SHARP GUARD.
    The United States strongly favors a continued U.N. peacekeeping 
presence in the former Yugoslavia and a continuation of negotiations 
through the Contact Group. However, given the increase in fighting in 
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, it may become necessary for NATO to 
assist in the withdrawal of peacekeepers from these areas. Because of 
the significant period of time needed to prepare and deploy the 
necessary forces to support such a withdrawal, our senior military 
commanders recommended that we take certain steps now to preposition the 
necessary communications network in order to be prepared to meet this 
contingency. Accordingly, on April 6, 1995, the North Atlantic Council 
authorized the Supreme Allied Commander for Europe to assemble, train 
and deploy into Croatia 80 communications personnel. Twenty U.S. 
soldiers are participating in this operation.
    These continuing efforts are being taken in conjunction with our 
allies to implement the decisions of the U.N. Security Council and the 
North Atlantic Council and to assist the parties to reach a negotiated 
settlement to the conflict. I have directed the participation of U.S. 
Armed Forces in these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority 
to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief, and in 
accordance with various statutory authorities.
    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 contin-


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ued cooperation with you in this endeavor. I shall communicate with you 
further regarding our efforts to foster peace and stability in the 
former Yugoslavia.
        Sincerely,

                                                      William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of the 
Senate.