    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [May 25, 1999]
    [Page 851]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 851]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Airstrikes Against the
    Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)
    May 25, 1999

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        On March 26, 1999, I reported that I had directed U.S. forces to
    commence military air strikes as part of NATO's operations against the
    Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) in response to the FRY Government's
    continued campaign of violence and repression against the civilian
    population of Kosovo. Each day we receive new reports of FRY security
    forces committing atrocities and forcing civilians from their homes.
    Currently there are more than 725,000 displaced Kosovars in Albania,
    Macedonia, and Montenegro, and hundreds of thousands of internally
    displaced persons within Kosovo.
        At their recent Summit in Washington, NATO Heads of State and
    Government made clear that the Alliance will not allow this campaign of
    terror to succeed. Until such time as Belgrade meets NATO's conditions,
    the allies intend to continue--and intensify--air operations against the
    Yugoslav war machine. As part of intensifying NATO's operations, and in
    response to a request by SACEUR, I have directed deployment of
    additional aircraft and forces to support NATO's ongoing efforts,
    including several thousand additional U.S. Armed Forces personnel to
    Albania in support of the deep strike task force located there. I am
    also directing that additional U.S. forces be deployed to the region to
    assist in humanitarian operations.
        As I mentioned in my April 7 letter, it is not possible to predict
    how long these operations will last. The duration of the deployments
    depends upon the course of events in Kosovo, and specifically, on
    Belgrade's acceptance of the conditions set forth by the United States
    and its allies.
        I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional authority to
    conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief
    Executive.
        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 continued 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. This letter was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on May 26.