    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 4, 1999]
    [Pages 497-498]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of United
    States Forces to Macedonia and Albania
    April 4, 1999

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        Further to my report to the Congress of March 25 and April 3, 1999,
    under section 8115 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1999
    (Public Law 105-262), this report is to inform you of my decision to
    deploy additional U.S. forces to Albania in support of ongoing NATO air
    operations to reduce the capacity of the Serbian military and security
    forces to conduct offensive operations.
        In particular, rotary wing, artillery, and tactical missile systems
    will be deployed to establish

    [[Page 498]]

    a deep strike task force in Albania to enhance NATO's ability to conduct
    effective air operations in Kosovo as part of the current NATO mission.
    In regard to the elements of section 8115(a)(1)-(8), I am providing the
    following to supplement information provided on these elements in my
    reports of March 25 and April 3, 1999.
        1 & 2. National Security Interests. I hereby certify that the
    deployment of additional forces to Albania as described above is
    necessary in the national security interests of the United States. This
    deployment will provide additional specialized forces to reduce the
    capacity of the Serbian military and security forces to continue
    repression and ethnic cleansing and to deter the threat to regional
    peace and security.
        3. Numbers. I anticipate that a substantial deep strike task force,
    comprised of rotary wing, artillery, and tactical missile systems,
    together with supporting and security elements, will be deployed to
    Albania for these purposes. There is not at this time a definitive
    number of U.S. military personnel who will be deployed as part of this
    task force, but I anticipate that, at a minimum, approximately 2,000
    will be required. I will ensure that the Congress is informed in a
    timely manner about the deployment described in this report when the
    information is available.
        4. Mission/Objectives. The overall objective of our efforts with our
    allies in the region has been detailed in my previous reports of March
    25 and April 3, 1999. The specific military mission of the strike task
    force deployed to Albania will be to support ongoing NATO air operations
    to reduce the capacity of the Serbian military and security forces to
    conduct offensive operations. The ground force component is for the
    support and security of the deep strike elements. Their mission does not
    include any planned deployment of ground troops into the Federal
    Republic of Yugoslavia.
        5. Schedule. Although it is not possible at this time to determine
    how long NATO operations will need to continue, we are determined to
    sustain this effort along with our allies as long as necessary to meet
    our objectives.
        6. Exit Strategy. The duration of the requirement for this strike
    task force deployment to Albania will depend on the course of events,
    and in particular, on Belgarde's reaction to NATO operations.
        7. Costs. The costs of the deployment covered by this notice, like
    the costs of the U.S. contribution to NATO air operations, will be paid
    initially from FY99 Defense Operations and Maintenance appropriations.
    An estimate of likely costs for these deployments is being prepared, and
    I will ensure that it is provided to the Congress as soon as it is
    available.
        8. Effect on Morale, Retention and Readiness. In addition to the
    specific points I made on these matters in my reports of March 25 and
    April 3, I would only underscore and express my deep gratitude for the
    great pride, courage, professionalism, and enthusiasm of the men and
    women of our Armed Forces who are carrying out this critical mission.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.
    This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on April
    5.