    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 9, 2001]
    [Pages 1211-1212]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Combat Action in
    Afghanistan Against Al Qaida Terrorists and Their Taliban Supporters
    October 9, 2001

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        At approximately 12:30 p.m. (EDT) on October 7, 2001, on my orders,
    U.S. Armed Forces began combat action in Afghanistan against Al Qaida
    terrorists and their Taliban supporters. This military action is a part

    [[Page 1212]]

    of our campaign against terrorism and is designed to disrupt the use of
    Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations.
        We are responding to the brutal September 11 attacks on our
    territory, our citizens, and our way of life, and to the continuing
    threat of terrorist acts against the United States and our friends and
    allies. This follows the deployment of various combat-equipped and
    combat support forces to a number of locations in the Central and
    Pacific Command areas of operations, as I reported to the Congress on
    September 24, to prepare for the campaign to prevent and deter
    terrorism.
        I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional authority
    to conduct U.S. foreign relations as Commander in Chief and Chief
    Executive. It is not possible to know at this time either the duration
    of combat operations or the scope and duration of the deployment of U.S.
    Armed Forces necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the United
    States. As I have stated previously, it is likely that the American
    campaign against terrorism will be lengthy. I will direct such
    additional measures as necessary in exercise of our right to self-
    defense and to protect U.S. citizens and interests.
        I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
    Congress informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution and Public
    Law 107-40. Officials of my Administration and I have been communicating
    regularly with the leadership and other members of Congress, and we will
    continue to do so. I appreciate the continuing support of the Congress,
    including its enactment of Public Law 107-40, in these actions to
    protect the security of the United States of America and its citizens,
    civilian and military, here and abroad.
             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.