    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [November 14, 2003]
    [Pages 1544-1545]
    [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 14, 2003

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress of May 14, 2003, 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 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 an international
    security 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) (which is now
    the Union of Serbia and Montenegro); enforce the terms of the
    Undertaking on Demilitarization and Transformation of the former Kosovo
    Liberation Army; 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, there are 17 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. The U.S.
    contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is about 2,100 U.S. military personnel,
    or approximately 11 percent of KFOR's total strength. Additionally, U.S.
    military personnel occasionally operate from Macedonia, Albania, and
    Greece in support of KFOR operations. Seventeen non-NATO contributing
    countries also participate with NATO forces in providing military
    personnel and other support personnel to KFOR.
        The U.S. forces are assigned to a sector principally centered around
    Gnjilane in the eastern region of Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for
    KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and secure environment remains the
    primary military task.
        The KFOR forces operate under NATO command and control and rules of
    engagement. 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 to provide security,
    protect minorities, resolve disputes, and help instill in the community
    a feeling of confidence.
        The UNMIK continues to transfer non-reserved competencies under the
    Constitutional Framework document to the Kosovar Provisional
    Institutions of Self-Government (PISG). The PISG includes the President,
    Prime Minister and Kosovo Assembly, and has been in place since March
    2002. Municipal elections were successfully held for a second time in
    October 2002.

    [[Page 1545]]

        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 Operations Area
    plan to regionalize and rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
    KFOR has transferred full responsibility for public safety and policing
    to UNMIK international and local police forces throughout Kosovo except
    in the area of 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.
             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.