    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 20, 2003]
    [Pages 284-286]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on United States Efforts in
    the Global War on Terrorism
    March 20, 2003

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        On September 24, 2001, I reported the deployment of various combat-
    equipped and combat support forces to a number of locations in the
    Central and Pacific Command areas of operation. On October 9, 2001, I
    reported the beginning of combat action in Afghanistan against
    terrorists and their Taliban supporters. In my reports to the Congress
    of March 20 and September 20, 2002, I provided supplemental information
    on the deployment of combat-equipped and combat support forces to a
    number of foreign nations in the Central and Pacific Command areas of
    operations and other areas. As a part of my efforts to keep the Congress
    informed, I am

    [[Page 285]]

    reporting further on United States efforts in the global war on
    terrorism.
        Our efforts in Afghanistan have met with success, but as I have
    stated in my previous reports, the U.S. campaign against terrorism will
    be lengthy. To date, U.S. Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous
    coalition partners, have executed a superb campaign to eliminate the
    primary source of support to the terrorists who viciously attacked our
    Nation on September 11, 2001. The heart of al-Qaida's training
    capability has been seriously degraded. The Taliban's ability to
    brutalize the Afghan people and to harbor and support terrorists has
    been virtually eliminated. Pockets of al-Qaida and Taliban forces remain
    a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and to the Afghan government. What
    is left of both the Taliban and the al-Qaida fighters is being pursued
    actively and engaged by U.S. and coalition forces. Additionally,
    training missions and combat operations with Pakistani special forces
    are ongoing near the Afghan/Pakistan border.
        Due to our success in Afghanistan, we have detained hundreds of al-
    Qaida and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a continuing threat
    to the United States and its interests. The combat-equipped and combat
    support forces deployed to Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the
    Southern Command area of operations since January 2002, continue to
    conduct secure detention operations. We currently hold more than 600
    enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay. All are being treated humanely and,
    to the extent appropriate and consistent with military necessity, in a
    manner consistent with the principles of the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
        In furtherance of our worldwide efforts against terrorists who pose
    a continuing and imminent threat to the United States, our friends and
    allies, and our forces abroad, we continue operations in other areas
    around the globe. Our relationship with the Government and Armed Forces
    of the Philippines (AFP) developed and matured throughout 2002. Last
    year's actions from February to July 2002 on Basilan Island, with AFP in
    command and with U.S. forces in a support role, helped to drive hundreds
    of Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists from the island, restoring order and
    reestablishing government services. To ensure that the AFP has the
    skills to fight terrorism over the long term, we have a robust security
    assistance training program and a variety of exercises that will provide
    the AFP much needed counter-terrorism training and equipment. There are
    approximately 300 combat-equipped and combat support U.S. military
    personnel working with the AFP and U.S. forces continue to plan with the
    AFP for possible future activities. Continued U.S. support is warranted
    as the Government of the Philippines has provided unwavering support in
    the global war on terrorism.
        Additionally, we continue to conduct maritime interception
    operations on the high seas in the Central and European Command areas of
    responsibility to prevent the movement, arming, or financing of
    international terrorists who pose a continuing threat to the United
    States.
        Combat-equipped and combat support forces also have been deployed to
    Georgia and Yemen to assist the armed forces of those countries in
    enhancing their counter-terrorism capabilities, including by training
    and equipping their armed forces. Similar U.S. forces have deployed to
    Djibouti to command and control operations and other activities as
    necessary against al-Qaida and other international terrorists in the
    Horn of Africa region. These activities include providing oversight for
    urban and maritime counter-terrorism training with the Yemen special
    operations forces. We continue to assess options for working with other
    nations to assist them in this respect.
        I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional authority
    to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief
    Executive. In addition, these actions are consistent with Public

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    Law 107-40. As I stated in my previous reports, 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. I will direct additional
    measures as necessary to exercise our right to self-defense and to
    protect U.S. citizens and interests. Such measures may include short
    notice deployments of special operations and other forces for sensitive
    operations in various locations throughout the world.
        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
    in our efforts 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 Ted Stevens, President pro tempore of the
    Senate.