[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.