    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [December 11, 1995]
    [Pages 1882-1883]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Senate Democratic Leader Thomas Daschle on the Plan for
    Implementation of the Balkan Peace Agreement
    December 11, 1995

    Dear Mr. Leader:
        Just four weeks ago, the leaders of Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia came
    to Dayton, Ohio, in America's heartland, to negotiate and initial a
    peace agreement to end the war in Bosnia. There, they made a commitment
    to peace. They agreed to put down their guns; to preserve Bosnia as a
    single state; to cooperate with the War Crimes Tribunal and to try to
    build a peaceful, democratic future for all the people of Bosnia. They
    asked for NATO and America's help to implement this peace agreement.
        On Friday, December 1, the North Atlantic Council approved NATO's
    operational plan, OPLAN 10405, the Implementation of a Peace Agreement
    in the Former Yugoslavia. On Saturday, General George Joulwan, Supreme
    Allied Commander Europe, who will be commanding the NATO operation,
    briefed me in Germany on the final OPLAN.
        Having reviewed the OPLAN, I find the mission is clearly defined
    with realistic goals that can be achieved in a definite period of time.
    The risks to our troops have been minimized to the maximum extent
    possible. American troops will take their orders from the American
    general who commands NATO. They will be heavily armed and thoroughly
    trained. In making an overwhelming show of force, they will lessen the
    need to use force. They will have the authority, as well as the training
    and the equipment, to respond with decisive force to any threat to their
    own safety or any violations of the military provisions of the peace
    agreement. U.S. and NATO commanders believe the military mission can be
    accomplished in about a year.
        A summary of the OPLAN is attached. Of course, members of my staff
    and the Administration are available to answer your questions and
    further brief you on the OPLAN as you require.
        I consider the Dayton peace agreement to be a serious commitment by
    the parties to settle this conflict. In light of that agreement and my
    approval of the final NATO OPLAN, I would welcome a Congressional
    expression of support for U.S. participation in a NATO-led
    Implementation Force in Bosnia. I believe Congressional support for U.S.
    participation is immensely im-

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    portant to the unity of our purpose and the morale of our troops.
        I believe there has been a timely opportunity for the Congress to
    consider and act upon my request for support since the initialing in
    Dayton on November 21. As you know, the formal signing of the Peace
    Agreement will take place in Paris on December 14.
        As I informed you earlier, I have authorized the participation of a
    small number of American troops in a NATO advance mission that will lay
    the groundwork for IFOR, starting this week. They will establish
    headquarters and set up the sophisticated communications systems that
    must be in place before NATO can send in its troops, tanks and trucks to
    Bosnia.
        America has a responsibility to help to turn this moment of hope
    into an enduring reality. As the leader of NATO--the only institution
    capable of implementing this peace agreement--the United States has a
    profound interest in participating in this mission, which will give the
    people of Bosnia the confidence and support they need to preserve the
    peace and prevent this dangerous war in the heart of Europe from
    resuming and spreading. Since taking office, I have refused to send
    American troops to fight a war in Bosnia, but I believe we must help now
    to secure this Bosnian peace.
            Sincerely,

                                                                Bill Clinton

    Note: A summary of the operation plan for the implementation of the
    peace agreement in the former Yugoslavia was attached to the President's
    letter.