    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [January 25, 2000]
    [Pages 128-129]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of United
    States Forces for Stabilization of Areas of the Former Yugoslavia
    January 25, 2000

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress of July 19, 1999, I provided further
    information on the deployment of combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces to
    Bosnia and Herzegovina and other states in the region in order to
    participate in and support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
    (NATO)-led Stabilization Force (SFOR), which began its mission and
    assumed authority from the NATO-led Implementation Force on December 20,
    1996. 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 the former Yugoslavia.
        The U.N. Security Council authorized member states to continue SFOR
    for a period of 12 months in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1247 of
    June 18, 1999. The mission of SFOR is to provide a continued military
    presence in order to deter hostilities, stabilize and consolidate the
    peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contribute to a secure environment, and
    provide, within its means and capabilities, selective support to key
    areas and key civil implementation organizations.
        The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is in
    the process of being

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    reduced from approximately 6,200 to 4,600 personnel. In the second half
    of 1999, all NATO nations and 19 others, including Russia and Ukraine,
    have provided military personnel or other support to SFOR. Most U.S.
    forces are assigned to Multinational Division, North, centered around
    the city of Tuzla. In addition, approximately 1,500 U.S. military
    personnel are deployed to Hungary, Croatia, and Italy in order to
    provide logistical and other support to SFOR. The U.S. forces continue
    to support SFOR in efforts to apprehend persons indicted for war crimes.
    In the last 6 months, U.S. forces have sustained no combat-related
    fatalities.
        I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in these
    operations pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S.
    foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive, and in
    accordance with various statutory authorities.
        I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
    Congress fully informed about developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and
    other states in the region. I will continue to consult closely with the
    Congress regarding our efforts to foster peace and stability in the
    former Yugoslavia.
            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 January 27.