    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book I)]
    [January 22, 2004]
    [Pages 114-115]
    [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
    January 22, 2004

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my report to the Congress of July 22, 2003, 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
    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 1491 of
    July 11, 2003. 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
    tasks and key civil implementation organizations.

        The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is
    approximately 1,800 personnel. United States personnel comprise
    approximately 15 percent of the total SFOR force of approximately 12,000
    personnel. During the second half of 2003, 14 NATO nations and 11 others
    provided military personnel or other support to SFOR. Most U.S. forces
    in Bosnia and Herzegovina are assigned to Multinational Brigade, North,
    headquartered near the city of Tuzla. The U.S. forces continue to
    support SFOR efforts to apprehend persons indicted for war crimes and to
    conduct counterterrorism operations. 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. I
    will continue to consult

    [[Page 115]]

    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 Ted Stevens, President pro tempore of the
    Senate.