    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [August 13, 2003]
    [Page 1004]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1004]]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Further Deployment of United
    States Military Forces in Liberia
    August 13, 2003

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress of June 9, 2003, I provided information
    on the deployment of combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces to Liberia. I am
    providing this additional report, consistent with the War Powers
    Resolution, to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on
    U.S. military activities in Liberia.
        Shortly after my initial report, additional U.S. combat-equipped,
    military personnel from the U.S. European Command deployed to Monrovia,
    Liberia, to augment the U.S. Embassy security forces and to aid in the
    evacuation of U.S. citizens from Liberia if required, raising the total
    of such personnel to 56.
        On August 1, 2003, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1497
    was adopted. It authorized member states to establish a Multinational
    Force in Liberia to support the implementation of the June 17, 2003,
    ceasefire, including establishing conditions for initial stages of
    disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration activities; establishing
    security; and securing the environment for the delivery of humanitarian
    assistance and the introduction of a longer term U.N. stabilization
    force. Soon thereafter, approximately 4,350 U.S. military personnel on
    board U.S. warships deployed into the area of operations off the coast
    of Liberia in preparation to assist the Economic Community of West
    African States Mission in Liberia (ECOMIL) forces in the conduct of
    initial humanitarian and stability operations in the vicinity of
    Monrovia, Liberia. On August 11, 2003, these combat-equipped forces
    entered the territorial waters of Liberia timed to coincide with the
    resignation and departure of President Taylor, which was the stated
    prerequisite before deploying U.S. Armed Forces in support of ECOMIL.
        It is anticipated that U.S. forces will redeploy when ECOMIL forces
    have transitioned to the follow-on U.N. stabilization operations.
        I have taken this action 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 informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.
        I appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions in
    Liberia.
             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. An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this letter.