    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [July 24, 2001]
    [Pages 909-910]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of Military
    Forces for Stabilization of Areas of the Former Yugoslavia
    July 24, 2001

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress of January 25, 2001, I provided
    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). The SFOR 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 1357 of
    June 21, 2001. The mission of SFOR is to provide a focused 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
    approximately 3,800 personnel. United States personnel comprise just
    under 20 percent of the total SFOR force of approximately 19,500
    personnel. During the first half of 2001, 19 NATO nations and 17 others,
    including Russia, provided military personnel or other support to SFOR.
    Most U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina are assigned to Multinational
    Division, North, centered in the city of Tuzla. Other U.S. military
    personnel are deployed to other countries in the region in support of
    SFOR. This includes approximately 500 U.S. military personnel presently
    deployed to Hungary, Croatia, and Italy in order to provide logistical
    and other support. The U.S. forces continue to support SFOR efforts to
    apprehend persons indicted for war crimes. In the last 6 months, U.S.
    forces have not sustained any 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.
        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

    [[Page 910]]

    peace and stability in the former Yugoslavia.
            Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of
    the Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press
    Secretary on July 25.