[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
[June 16, 2000]
[Pages 1164-1165]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of
United States Military Personnel as Part of the Kosovo International 
Security Force
June 16, 2000

Dear Mr. Speaker:   (Dear Mr. President:)
    In my report to the Congress of December 15, 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 (KFOR) in 
Kosovo. Additional U.S. personnel are also deployed in countries in the 
region and serve as support for our forces in Kosovo. 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 (UNSCR) 1244 of June 10, 1999, for an initial period of 12 
months, to continue thereafter unless the Security Council decides 
otherwise. The mission of KFOR is to provide a 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 former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to demilitarize and 
reintegrate itself into civil society; provide operational direction to 
the Kosovo Protection Corps; and maintain a safe and secure environment 
to facilitate the work of the U.N. Interim Administration Mission in 
Kosovo (UNMIK) by providing, until UNMIK or appropriate local 
organizations assume these functions, for public safety and order and 
border monitoring.
    Currently, the U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is approximately 
7,500 U.S. military personnel. This number once again will decrease to 
approximately 6,000 U.S. military personnel when ongoing troop rotations 
are completed. In

[[Page 1165]]

the last 6 months, all 19 NATO nations and 20 others, including Russia 
and Ukraine, have provided military personnel and other support 
personnel to KFOR.
    In Kosovo, the U.S. forces are assigned to a sector principally 
centered around Gnjilane in the eastern portion of Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR 
forces, as for KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and secure environment 
is the primary military task. United States 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 the 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 1,000 
U.S. military personnel are operating in support of KFOR in Macedonia, 
Greece, and Albania.
    Since my report to the Congress of December 15, in accordance with 
UNSCR 1244 and the MTA, FRY military, paramilitary, and police forces 
have not reentered Kosovo. The KLA agreed on June 21, 1999, to a cease 
fire, 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 has made progress in establishing 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, villages, and the 
countryside. Checkpoints and patrols are organized in key areas in 
Kosovo to provide security, resolve disputes, and help instill in the 
community a feeling of confidence. In addition, KFOR is helping to 
provide assistance in the areas of 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.
    NATO has planned for KFOR's 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 
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.