    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [March 10, 1997]
    [Pages 276-277]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting the Report on Peacekeeping
    Operations
    March 10, 1997

    Dear Mr. Chairman:
        Enclosed is a copy of the 1996 Annual Report to the Congress on
    Peacekeeping, pursuant to section 407(d) of the Foreign Relations
    Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 103-236).
        Once again in 1996, multilateral peacekeeping operations proved
    their worth in helping to defuse conflict and alleviate humanitarian
    crises around the world. Our support for the United Nations and other
    peacekeeping options allows us to protect our interests before they are
    directly threatened and ensures that others share with us the risks and
    costs of maintaining stability in the post-Cold War world.
        The concerted efforts we have made over the past few years have
    brought greater discipline to peacekeeping decision-making in national
    capitals and at the United Nations. Tough questions about the mandate,
    size, cost, duration, and exit strategy for proposed missions are asked
    and answered before they are approved. Careful attention is also given
    to ensuring that those responsible for leading the mission--whether the
    United Nations, NATO, or a coalition of concerned states--are capable of
    doing the job at hand.
        I hope you will find the enclosed report a valuable and informative
    account of how the United States uses peacekeeping to promote stability
    and protect its interests. It is important that peacekeeping remain a
    viable choice when we face situations in which neither inaction nor
    unilateral American intervention is appropriate. To that end, I look
    forward to working with you on my proposal to continue our reform
    efforts at the United Nations and to pay off our peacekeeping debt.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    [[Page 277]]

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Jesse Helms, chairman, Senate
    Committee on Foreign Relations; Strom Thurmond, chairman, Senate
    Committee on Armed Services; Ted Stevens, chairman, Senate Committee on
    Appropriations; Benjamin A. Gilman, chairman, House Committee on
    International Relations; Robert L. Livingston, chairman, House Committee
    on Appropriations; and Floyd Spence, chairman, House Committee on
    National Security.