[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book II)]
[August 25, 2000]
[Pages 1721-1722]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on Further Deployment of United States 
Forces to East Timor
August 25, 2000

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
    On October 8, 1999, I reported to the Congress, consistent with the 
War Powers Resolution, the deployment of a limited number of U.S. 
military forces to provide support to the International Force East Timor 
(INTERFET). This multinational force, established by United Nations 
Security Council Resolution 1264, was given a mandate to restore peace 
and security in East Timor, protect and support the United Nations 
Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), and, within force capabilities, 
facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. The U.S. support to 
INTERFET consisted of planning and staff, communications, humanitarian, 
intelligence, and

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logistics support (including theater and strategic lift).
    The INTERFET was formally replaced in East Timor on February 23, 
2000, by the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor 
(UNTAET). Consequently, the U.S. personnel who were the subject of my 
October 8, 1999, report redeployed from East Timor. The UNTAET, which 
was established by Security Council Resolution 1272, has a mandate that 
includes providing security and maintaining law and order throughout 
East Timor; establishing an effective administration; ensuring the 
coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance; and supporting 
capacity-building for self-government. To implement this plan, the 
Security Council authorized UNTAET to deploy up to 8,950 military 
personnel, 200 military observers, and 1,640 civilian police.
    The United States currently contributes three military observers to 
UNTAET. These personnel are assigned to the United Nations pursuant to 
the United Nations Participation Act (Public Law 79-264), and operate 
under U.N. operational control. During June and July 2000, the U.S. 
contribution to UNTAET also included one judge advocate officer.
    As I reported to the Congress on February 25, 2000, the United 
States also maintains a credible and visible military presence in East 
Timor that is separate from UNTAET. This military presence consists of 
the U.S. Support Group East Timor (USGET), comprised of approximately 30 
U.S. personnel who facilitate and coordinate U.S. military activities in 
East Timor, and the rotational presence of U.S. forces through temporary 
deployments to East Timor. These rotational presence operations include 
periodic ship visits during which U.S. forces conduct humanitarian and 
civic assistance activities in areas critical to East Timor's citizens. 
United States forces, whether assigned to USGET or conducting rotational 
presence operations, operate under U.S. command and control, and U.S. 
rules of engagement. The United Nations has indicated that East Timor 
has benefited greatly from U.S. military deployments to, and engagement 
activities in, East Timor and supports the continued U.S. presence 
there.
    At this point, our rotational presence operations are envisioned to 
continue through December 2000. Future rotational presence operations 
will likely include rotation of naval assets and embarked aircraft, and 
small medical/dental and engineering civic action programs. Certain of 
these forces will be equipped with the normal complement of defensive 
weapons. The duration of our support depends upon the course of events 
in East Timor. At present, it is my intention to continue operations 
generally at the current levels to the end of the calendar year. It is, 
however, our objective to reduce the rotational presence operations, as 
well as to redeploy USGET as soon as circumstances permit.
    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 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 August 28.