[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.