    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [May 20, 1996]
    [Pages 781-782]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of
    United States Forces in Liberia
    May 20, 1996

    Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
        On April 11, 1996, I reported that U.S. military forces equipped for
    combat had entered Monrovia, Liberia, for the purpose of evacuating
    American citizens and certain third-country nationals from that strife-
    torn city. This letter is provided, consistent with the War Powers
    Resolution, to update the Congress on the continued deployment of U.S.
    forces, including the response by those forces to several isolated
    attacks on the American Embassy complex on April 30, 1996, and May 6,
    1996.
        As of this date, U.S. forces have evacuated over 2,300 persons from
    Monrovia, including over 470 American citizens. The U.S. Special
    Operations and U.S. Army Europe forces that conducted the initial
    evacuations have been replaced by U.S. Marines assigned to a Marine
    Amphibious Ready Group offshore in the immediate vicinity of Monrovia.
    Approximately 280 Marines and other U.S. military personnel from the
    total U.S. force of 2,500 are currently ashore at the American Embassy
    complex. In addition to protecting American lives and property at the
    Embassy complex, the mission of these forces is to maintain the
    capability to conduct further evacuations if circumstances warrant.
        On April 30, 1996, three separate attacks occurred against the
    American Embassy complex reportedly involving fighters from several
    factions. In the first encounter, a U.S. Marine was grazed by a round
    fired by one of the attackers. The Marines did not return fire, and the
    injured Marine was able to return to duty on the same day. In the second
    attack, a Marine was struck by plywood splinters dislodged by an
    incoming round. During this attack, the Marines returned fire, killing
    two or more attackers. During the final encounter, approximately 40 to
    50 attackers, while apparently engaged in a pursuit of fighters from
    another faction, fired on the Marines. After the Marines returned fire,
    one of the attackers fired again. The Marines again returned fire, this
    time killing two or more attackers.

    [[Page 782]]

        Separately, on May 6, 1996, unknown factional forces fired upon the
    Embassy complex. The Marines returned fire with machine guns and
    automatic weapons, driving off the attackers. No U.S. forces were killed
    or injured in this encounter. One member of the attacking force may have
    been wounded.
        Finally, on May 11, 1996, a U.S. Marine walking on the Embassy
    compound was struck by a stray round. The Marine was slightly injured.
    He was treated and returned to full duty. This incident was the result
    of stray fire between warring factions and appears not to have been
    directed at the Marines or the Embassy.
        The Marine commander reported that during these attacks, U.S. forces
    opened fire only upon persons who fired upon the Embassy complex. In the
    judgment of U.S. military commanders, these attacks are sporadic
    incidents and do not represent an intent to mount a concerted or
    deliberate attack against the American Embassy or the Marines. We do not
    intend that U.S. Armed Forces deployed to Liberia become involved in
    hostilities. Nonetheless, our forces are equipped and prepared to defend
    American lives and property if necessary.
        Our goal is to redeploy U.S. forces once there is no longer a need
    for enhanced security at the Embassy and a requirement to maintain an
    on-scene evacuation capability.
        I have directed the continued deployment of U.S. forces to Liberia
    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 concerning this important deployment of U.S.
    forces. I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action to
    protect American citizens and our Embassy complex in Monrovia.
        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.