    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [March 26, 1999]
    [Pages 459-460]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Airstrikes Against Serbian
    Targets in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)
    March 26, 1999

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        At approximately 1:30 p.m. eastern standard time, on March 24, 1999,
    U.S. military forces, at my direction and in coalition with our NATO
    allies, began a series of air strikes in the Federal Republic of
    Yugoslavia (FRY) in response to the FRY government's continued campaign
    of violence and repression against the ethnic Albanian population in
    Kosovo. The mission of the air strikes is to demonstrate the seriousness
    of NATO's purpose so that the Serbian leaders understand the imperative
    of reversing course; to deter an even bloodier offensive against
    innocent civilians in Kosovo; and, if necessary, to seriously damage the
    Serbian military's capacity to harm the people of Kosovo. In short, if
    President Milosevic will not make peace,
    we will limit his ability to make war.
        As you are aware, the Government of the FRY has been engaged in a
    brutal conflict in Kosovo. In this conflict, thousands of innocent
    Kosovar civilians have been killed or injured by FRY government security
    forces. The continued repression of Kosovars by the FRY military and
    security police forces constitutes a threat to regional security,
    particularly to Albania and Macedonia and, potentially, to Greece and to
    Turkey. Tens of thousands of others have been displaced from their
    homes, and many of them have fled to the neighboring countries of
    Bosnia, Albania, and Macedonia. These actions are the result of policies
    pursued by President Milosevic, who
    started the wars in Bosnia and Croatia, and moved against Slovenia in
    the last decade.
        The United States, working closely with our European allies and
    Russia, have pursued a diplomatic solution to this crisis since last
    fall. The Kosovar leaders agreed to the interim settlement negotiated at
    Rambouillet, but the FRY government refused even to discuss key elements
    of the peace agreement. Instead, the Government of the FRY continues its
    attacks on the Kosovar population and has deployed 40,000 troops in and
    around Kosovo in preparation for a major offensive and in clear
    violation of the commitments it had made.
        The FRY government has failed to comply with U.N. Security Council
    resolutions, and its actions are in violation of its obligations under
    the U.N. Charter and its other international commitments. The FRY
    government's actions in Kosovo are not simply an internal matter. The
    Security Council has condemned FRY actions as a threat to regional peace
    and security. The FRY government's violence creates a conflict with no
    natural boundaries, pushing refugees across borders and potentially
    drawing in neighboring countries. The Kosovo region is a tinderbox that
    could ignite a wider European war with dangerous consequences to the
    United States.
        United States and NATO forces have targeted the FRY government's
    integrated air defense system, military and security police command and
    control elements, and military and security police facilities and
    infrastructure. United States naval ships and aircraft and U.S. Air
    Force aircraft are participating in these operations. Many of our NATO
    allies are also contributing aircraft and other forces.

    [[Page 460]]

        In addition, since this air operation began, the U.S. Embassy in
    Skopje, Macedonia, has been subjected to increasingly hostile
    demonstrations by a large number of Serbian sympathizers. In response, I
    have authorized a unit consisting of about 100 combat-equipped Marines
    from USS NASSAU (LHA 4), which is supporting the air operations in
    Kosovo, to deploy to Skopje to enhance security at our embassy. These
    Marines will remain deployed so long as is necessary to protect our
    embassy and U.S. persons.
        We cannot predict with certainty how long these operations will need
    to continue. Milosevic must stop his
    offensive, stop the repression, and agree to a peace accord based on the
    framework from Rambouillet. If he does not comply with the demands of
    the international community, NATO operations will seriously damage
    Serbia's military capacity to harm the people of Kosovo. NATO forces
    will also use such force as is necessary to defend themselves in the
    accomplishment of their mission.
        I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional authority
    to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief
    Executive. In doing so, I have taken into account the views and support
    expressed by the Congress in S. Con. Res. 21 and H. Con. Res. 42.
        I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
    Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. I
    appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of
    the Senate. An original was not available for verification of the
    content of this letter.