Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I) - Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Airstrikes Against Serbian Targets in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro)

[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.