[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.