    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [July 22, 2002]
    [Pages 1281-1282]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Continued Operations of
    United States Forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina
    July 22, 2002

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress of January 21, 2002, 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

    [[Page 1282]]

    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, prepared by my
    Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law
    93-148), 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 1423 of
    July 12, 2002. 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.
        Initially, the United States vetoed the U.N. Security Council
    Resolution authorizing Member States to continue SFOR for a period of 12
    months because it did not provide protection for U.S. forces
    participating in SFOR from the purported jurisdiction of the
    International Criminal Court (ICC). In U.N. Security Council Resolution
    1422, the Security Council requested that the ICC not commence any
    investigation or prosecution in any case arising from acts or omissions
    relating to a U.N. established or authorized operation that involve
    current or former officials or personnel from a contributing state not a
    Party to the Rome Statute for a period of 12 months starting July 1,
    2002; this resolution has the effect of prohibiting the ICC from
    commencing any investigation or prosecution of U.S. forces in SFOR for a
    period of 1 year. The Security Council further declared its intention to
    renew this resolution on an annual basis. In light of these protections
    for U.S. forces and personnel, the United States voted in favor of U.N.
    Security Council Resolution 1423.
        The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is
    approximately 2,400 personnel. United States personnel comprise just
    under 15 percent of the total SFOR force of approximately 15,800
    personnel. During the first half of 2002, 18 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, headquartered in the city of Tuzla. Additionally, U.S.
    military personnel are deployed to other countries in the region in
    support of SFOR. These deployments include approximately 60 U.S.
    military personnel deployed to Hungary and Croatia 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 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.