    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 15, 1999]
    [Pages 2303-2305]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of United
    States Military Personnel to the Kosovo International Security Force
    December 15, 1999

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress of June 12, 1999, I provided
    information on the deployment of combat-equipped U.S. military personnel
    as the U.S. contribution to the NATO-led security force in Kosovo (KFOR)
    and to countries in the region to serve as a national support element

    [[Page 2304]]

    for them. I am providing this supplemental report, consistent with the
    War Powers Resolution, to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully
    informed on continued U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping
    efforts in Kosovo.
        The U.N. Security Council authorized member states to establish the
    international security presence in Kosovo in U.N. Security Council
    Resolution 1244 of June 10, 1999, for an initial period of 12 months.
    The mission of KFOR is to provide a continued military presence in order
    to deter renewed hostilities; verify and, if necessary, enforce the
    terms of the Military Technical Agreement (MTA) between NATO and the
    Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY); enforce the terms of the agreement
    of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to demilitarize and reintegrate
    itself into civil society; provide operational direction to the newly
    established Kosovo Protection Corps; and contribute to a secure
    environment to facilitate the work of the U.N. Interim Administration
    Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) by providing, until UNMIK assumes these
    functions, for public security and appropriate control of the borders.
        Currently, the U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is approximately
    8,500 U.S. military personnel. This number is higher than previously
    reported due to normal personnel rotations and will return to
    approximately 7,000 U.S. military personnel when those rotations are
    completed. In the last 6 months, all 19 NATO nations and 15 others,
    including Russia and Ukraine, have provided military personnel or other
    support to KFOR.
        In Kosovo, the U.S. forces are assigned to a sector principally
    centered around Urosevac in the eastern portion of Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR
    forces, as for KFOR generally, maintaining public security is a key
    task, and U.S. forces conduct security patrols in urban areas and in the
    countryside throughout their sector. Approximately one-half of KFOR's
    total available personnel is directly committed to protection tasks,
    including protection of ethnic minorities. The KFOR forces are under
    NATO command and control and rules of engagement.
        In addition, other U.S. military personnel are deployed to other
    countries in the region to serve in administrative and logistics support
    roles for the U.S. forces in KFOR. Specifically, approximately 1,500
    U.S. military personnel are operating in support of KFOR in Macedonia
    and Greece and, on occasion, in Albania.
        Since my report to the Congress of June 12, the FRY, in accordance
    with Resolution 1244 and the MTA, withdrew its military, paramilitary,
    and police forces from Kosovo. The KLA agreed to June 21, 1999, to a
    ceasefire, to withdraw from the zones of conflict in Kosovo, and to
    demilitarize itself. On September 20, 1999, KFOR Commander Lieutenant
    General Sir Mike Jackson accepted the KLA's
    certification that the KLA had completed its demilitarization in
    accordance with the June 21 agreement. The UNMIK thereafter established
    a civil emergency services entity known as the Kosovo Protection Corps
    that is intended to provide civic assistance in emergencies and other
    forms of humanitarian assistance. The UNMIK is in the process of
    considering applications from former KLA personnel for service in this
    Corps.
        The UNMIK has made progress in establishing the international civil
    presence to provide an interim administration for the people of Kosovo.
    The KFOR, within its means and capabilities, is providing broad support
    to UNMIK. As UNMIK is still developing its structures in Kosovo, KFOR
    continues to support UNMIK at all levels, including public
    administration, and is represented at the Kosovo Transitional Council
    and the Joint Civil Commissions. The KFOR personnel provide a security
    presence in towns and villages. Checkpoints and patrols are organized in
    key areas in Kosovo to provide security, resolve disputes, and instill
    in the community a feeling of confidence. In addition, KFOR is providing
    assistance in the areas of demining, humanitarian relief, international
    civil police training, and the maintenance of civic works resources.
    Ethnic tensions in Kosovo, however, remain a concern, particularly in
    areas where Kosovar Serbs and Kosovar Albanians live in close proximity.
    Until UNMIK is able to field a full complement of civil police, public
    security remains principally a KFOR responsibility.
        NATO has planned for the KFOR mission to be formally reviewed at 6-
    month intervals with a view to progressively reducing the force's
    presence and, eventually, withdrawing. Over time, KFOR will
    incrementally transfer its security and policing responsibilities as
    appropriate to the international civil administration, local
    institutions, and other organizations.
        I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional authority
    to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief

    [[Page 2305]]

    Executive. I appreciate the continued support of the Congress in these
    actions.
            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.