    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [June 21, 1996]
    [Pages 963-964]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 963]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Deployment of United States
    Military Forces for Implementation of the Balkan Peace Process
    June 21, 1996

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress of December 21, 1995, I provided
    further information on the deployment of combat-equipped U.S. Armed
    Forces to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as other states
    in the region in order to participate in and support the North Atlantic
    Treaty Organization (NATO)-led Implementation Force (IFOR). I am
    providing this follow-up report, consistent with the War Powers
    Resolution, to ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on
    continued U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts in the
    former Yugoslavia.
        We and other countries are working in concert to encourage the
    parties to fulfill their commitments under the peace agreement and to
    usher in a new era of cooperation. In accordance with United Nations
    Security Council Resolution 1031 and the North Atlantic Council decision
    of December 16, 1995, IFOR continues to carry out its mission to monitor
    and ensure compliance by all parties with the military aspects of the
    peace agreement initialed in Dayton and formally signed in Paris on
    December 14, 1995. Consistent with the accomplishment of its principal
    task, IFOR is also assisting various aspects of civilian implementation,
    including elections support, support to the International Criminal
    Tribunal, and the facilitation of freedom of movement of civilian
    persons. NATO has also agreed and IFOR stands ready to provide emergency
    support to the United Nations Transitional Administration in Eastern
    Slavonia (UNTAES). One year ago, war raged throughout Bosnia. Today, the
    killing has ended and peace is taking hold.
        Approximately 17,000 U.S. military personnel remain deployed in the
    Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina under NATO operational command and
    control as part of a total IFOR contingent of about 60,000. Most of
    these U.S. personnel are assigned to a sector surrounding Tuzla. In
    addition, approximately 5,500 U.S. military personnel are deployed in
    Hungary, Croatia, Italy, and other states in the region in order to
    provide logistical and other support to IFOR. These personnel remain
    under U.S. command and control and rules of engagement.
        Many of the U.S. forces participating in IFOR are from U.S. Army
    forces who are stationed in Germany. Other participating U.S. forces
    include special operations forces, airfield operations support forces,
    air forces, and reserve personnel. An amphibious force is normally in
    reserve in the Mediterranean Sea, and a carrier battle group remains
    available to provide support for IFOR's air operations.
        Thus far, U.S. forces have sustained one fatality, which occurred
    when a soldier was killed by a mine. One soldier was also slightly
    wounded by sniper fire in an isolated incident, one soldier was wounded
    after interrupting an attempted break-in at a storage facility, and
    several were injured, one seriously, when their vehicle struck a mine.
    Several other deaths have occurred because of accidents. The IFOR's
    mission for 1 year ends in December 1996, at which time it will begin
    withdrawal. At present, it is our intention that IFOR will complete the
    withdrawal of all troops in the weeks after December 20, 1996, on a
    schedule set by NATO commanders consistent with the safety of troops and
    the logistical requirements for an orderly withdrawal.
        A U.S. Army contingent remains deployed in the Former Yugoslav
    Republic of Macedonia as part of the United Nations Preventive
    Deployment Force (UNPREDEP). This U.N. peacekeeping force observes and
    monitors conditions along the border with the Federal Republic of
    Yugoslavia, effectively contributing to the stability of the region.
    Several U.S. Army support helicopters are also deployed to provide
    support to U.S. forces and UNPREDEP as required. Most of the
    approximately 500 U.S. soldiers participating in these missions are
    assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 63rd Armor, 1st Infantry Division. A
    small contingent of U.S. military personnel is also serving in Croatia
    in direct support of the UNTAES Transitional Administrator.
        The U.S. naval forces continued, until recently, to assist in
    enforcing the U.N.-mandated arms embargo and economic sanctions as part
    of NATO's participation in Operation ``SHARP

    [[Page 964]]

    Guard.'' Since the arms embargo has been terminated and economic
    sanctions have been suspended, U.S. naval activities in support of
    Operation SHARP Guard have ceased. Operation SHARP Guard, however, will
    not be terminated until economic sanctions are terminated and U.S. naval
    forces will remain on call to provide assistance again should economic
    sanctions be reimposed.
        It is in the U.S. national interest to help bring peace to Bosnia.
    Through American leadership and in conjunction with our NATO allies and
    other countries, we have seen real progress toward sustainable peace in
    Bosnia. We have also made it clear to the former warring parties that it
    is they who are ultimately responsible for implementing the peace
    agreement.
        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 Chief Executive, and in
    accordance with various statutory authorities. I am providing this
    report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed about
    developments in the former Yugoslavia. I will continue to consult
    closely with the Congress 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. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    June 24.