    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 3, 1999]
    [Pages 496-497]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 496]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of United
    States Forces to Macedonia and Albania
    April 3, 1999

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        Since I reported to the Congress on March 25, 1999, under section
    8115 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law
    105-262), there have been dramatic and very serious developments in
    Kosovo and the region, particularly Macedonia and Albania. Belgrade's
    sustained and accelerating repression and ethnic cleansing in Kosovo has
    created a humanitarian crisis of staggering dimensions. Estimates are
    that more than 800,000 Kosovars have been displaced from their homes and
    villages, with large concentrations in Albania, Macedonia, and
    Montenegro, and with the numbers rising dramatically every day.
    Throughout Kosovo, Serb forces have burned villages. Homes throughout
    the region have been looted and are smoldering. In Pristina, Kosovars
    are being forced into rail cars and shipped to the Macedonian border.
        As the refugee flow out of Kosovo has surged, the limited ability of
    Albania and Macedonia to deal with the situation has been overwhelmed.
    The international organizations engaged in refugee assistance do not
    currently have in the region the ability and resources to deal with a
    refugee crisis of this magnitude. Unless adequate care can be provided
    for these refugees, a humanitarian disaster of immense proportions will
    result. In addition to the human suffering involved, such a disaster
    carries with it the very real possibility of destabilizing the
    governments and societies of Albania and Macedonia. This disaster could
    have the effect of spreading violence in the region that NATO is
    determined to prevent.
        In the light of these disturbing events, I have directed that
    additional U.S. forces be deployed to Albania and Macedonia in order to
    support disaster relief by, among other activities, delivering food and
    essentials, constructing shelter, providing coordination and assisting
    in onward movement, and when necessary, providing protection for relief
    supplies and refugees. In regard to the elements of section 815(a)(1)-
    (8), I am providing the following information.
        1 & 2. National Security Interests. I hereby certify that the
    deployment of additional forces to Albania and Macedonia as described
    above is necessary in the national security interests of the United
    States. These actions will provide additional forces to aid in the
    relief efforts supporting Kosovar refugees. They also will contribute to
    the overall effort to stabilize this region that has historically been a
    tinderbox, thereby helping to preserve peace and security in the region.
        3. Numbers. The number of U.S. personnel who will be deployed for
    these purposes cannot be definitively provided at this time, since
    planning for the deployment is ongoing. I would anticipate, at a
    minimum, a deployment of 1,000 personnel. It can be anticipated that
    headquarters elements, air crews, airlift control elements, selected
    transport and rotary wing aircraft, security personnel, civil affairs
    and psychological operations personnel, medical and engineer forces, and
    logistics support forces may become involved in the operation. These
    forces will operate under U.S. and NATO operational control. I will
    ensure that the Congress is informed in a timely manner about
    deployments described in this report when the information is available.
        4. Mission/Objectives. As stated above and in my report to the
    Congress of March 25, the overall objective of our efforts with our
    allies is to maintain stability in the region and prevent a humanitarian
    disaster resulting from the ongoing offensive against the people of
    Kosovo. The specific military mission of the forces deployed as
    described in this report would be to support disaster relief operations
    to aid in the care and protection of Kosovar refugees and to provide for
    their own security.
        5. Schedule. At this point, it is not possible to determine how long
    these deployments to Albania and Macedonia in response to this dire need
    will be required. This will be affected by how long Belgrade continues
    its campaign of ethnic cleansing and how long beyond the cessation of
    that campaign it will take before the Kosovar refugees will be able to
    return to their

    [[Page 497]]

    homes or resettle elsewhere. Circumstances permitting, it will be our
    objective to transfer responsibility for the refugees to other
    organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
    as soon as possible.
        6. Exit Strategy. The duration of the requirement for a U.S.
    military presence in Albania and Macedonia for these purposes will
    depend on the course of events, and in particular, on Belgrade's conduct
    on the ground in Kosovo. So long as Belgrade forces the Kosovar refugees
    to remain dispossessed, and the enormity of the situation continues to
    overwhelm the ability of Albania, Macedonia, and the international
    relief community to deal with the situation, it is likely that U.S.
    forces deployed for these purposes will be required. Nevertheless, as
    stated above, it will be our objective to transfer responsibility for
    the refugees to other organizations as soon as the emergency has
    subsided. In addition, we are working with our European partners to
    provide temporary asylum to some of the refugees in third countries.
        7. Costs. The costs of the deployment described in this notice will
    be paid initially from FY99 Defense appropriations, including the
    provision of defense commodities and services directed pursuant to
    Presidential Determination 99-20 of March 31, 1999. 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 the first instance,
    these deployments will have a positive effect on morale, retention and
    readiness because they will demonstrate the commitment of the necessary
    resources to those aspects of operations relating to response to the
    worsening conditions brought by the refugee crisis in the area.
        United States forces participating in these operations, as well as
    U.S. forces deployed for other purposes in the region are dedicated
    professionals serving with great pride and enthusiasm. Given the
    importance of these activities, particularly in humanitarian terms, we
    anticipate that U.S. forces would maintain the highest morale and
    effectiveness. It has been our experience that personnel serving in
    these types of operations manifest great pride and satisfaction in
    demonstrating America's capacity to ensure care and protection for
    people in need.
        However, we recognize that even deployments for the best of reasons
    increase the periods of separation from family and add other burdens to
    military service.
        The Department of Defense has underway extensive and effective
    programs to do what is necessary to manage personnel and other resources
    so as to reduce these problems. As with any operational deployment, the
    effects on readiness are mixed. In these operations, U.S. forces will be
    conducting one of the missions they have been trained to perform, which
    will provide an unparalleled opportunity to apply their skills in a
    unique environment. We believe that this will contribute significantly
    to a high state of morale and readiness.
            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.