    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book II)]
    [November 15, 2002]
    [Pages 2078-2080]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of United
    States Military Personnel as Part of the Kosovo International Security
    Force
    November 15, 2002

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress dated May 17, 2002, I provided
    information regarding the continued deployment of combat equipped U.S.
    military personnel as the U.S. contribution to the NATO-led
    international security force in Kosovo (KFOR) and to other countries in
    the region in support of that force. I am providing this supplemental
    report prepared by my Administration, consistent with the War Powers
    Resolution (Public Law 93-148), to help

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    ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on continued U.S.
    contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo.
        As noted in previous reports, the U.N. Security Council authorized
    member states to establish KFOR in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244
    of June 10, 1999. The mission of KFOR is to provide a military presence
    in order to deter renewed hostilities; verify and, if necessary, enforce
    the terms of the Military Technical Agreement (MTA) between NATO and the
    Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY); enforce the terms of the
    Undertaking on Demilitarization and Transformation of the former Kosovo
    Liberation Army (KLA); provide day-to-day operational direction to the
    Kosovo Protection Corps; and maintain a safe and secure environment to
    facilitate the work of the U.N. Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo
    (UNMIK).
        Currently, the U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is approximately
    4,350 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 15 percent of KFOR's
    total strength. An additional 266 U.S. military personnel are deployed
    as the National Support Element in Macedonia, with an occasional
    presence in Albania and Greece. In the past 6 months, 19 non-NATO
    contributing countries have joined NATO forces in providing military
    personnel and other support personnel to KFOR.
        The U.S. forces are assigned to a sector principally centered upon
    Gnjilane in the eastern portion of Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for
    KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and secure environment remains the
    primary military task. United States forces conduct security patrols in
    urban areas and in the countryside throughout their sector.
    Approximately 60 percent of KFOR personnel are dedicated to patrolling,
    manning checkpoints, and mounting border and boundary patrols. The KFOR
    forces operate under NATO command and control and rules of engagement.
        The UNMIK continues to make progress in establishing the necessary
    structures for provisional democratic self-government in Kosovo. The
    Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, including a President,
    Prime Minister, and Kosovo Assembly, have been in place since March
    2002, and municipal elections were successfully held for a second time
    on October 26, 2002. The KFOR coordinates with and supports UNMIK at
    most levels, provides a security presence in towns, villages, and the
    countryside, and organizes checkpoints and patrols in key areas of
    Kosovo to provide security, protect minorities, resolve disputes, and
    help instill in the community a feeling of confidence. Intensified,
    robust KFOR patrolling on the Macedonia/Kosovo border was a key factor
    in reducing violence in Macedonia and ensuring successful elections. At
    the same time, KFOR is supporting, within its means and capabilities,
    the provision of humanitarian relief, public safety and order, and the
    maintenance of essential civic works resources.
        NATO continues formally to review KFOR's mission at 6-month
    intervals. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current force
    levels, future requirements, force structure, force reductions, and the
    eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO has adopted the Joint Operational Area
    plan to regionalize and rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
    The KFOR has transferred full responsibility for public safety and
    policing to the UNMIK international and local police forces in every
    area except Kosovska Mitrovica, where the responsibility is shared due
    to security concerns. The UNMIK international police and local police
    forces have also begun to assume responsibility for guarding patrimonial
    sites and established border-crossing checkpoints.
        The continued deployment of U.S. forces has been undertaken pursuant
    to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as
    Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. I appreciate the continued
    support of the Congress in these actions.

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             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.