[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evacuations have been replaced by U.S. Marines assigned to a Marine 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.