[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2004, Book III)]
[November 4, 2004]
[Pages 2950-2953]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Global Deployments of 
United States Combat-Equipped Armed Forces
November 4, 2004

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    I am providing this consolidated supplemental report, prepared by my 
Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 
93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about 
deployments of U.S. combat-equipped armed forces around the world. This 
supplemental report covers operations in support of the global war on 
terrorism, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    On March 21, 2003, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, I 
reported that I had directed U.S. Armed Forces, operating with other 
coalition forces, to commence combat operations on March 19, 2003, 
against Iraq. Thereafter, I included information regarding the 
deployment of U.S. forces in Iraq in reports on Iraq to the Congress 
under Public Laws 107-243 and 102-1, as amended. On July 2, 2004, I 
delegated to the Secretary of State the authority to make these detailed 
reports on Iraq, but I am including information about the deployment of 
U.S. forces in Iraq in this consolidated war powers report.

The Global War on Terrorism

    Since September 24, 2001, I have reported, consistent with Public 
Law 107-40 and the War Powers Resolution, on the combat operations in 
Afghanistan against al-Qaida terrorists and their Taliban supporters, 
which began on October 7, 2001, and the deployment of various combat-
equipped and combat-support forces to a number of locations in the 
Central, Pacific, and Southern Command areas of operation in support of 
those operations and of other operations in our global war on terrorism.

    I will direct additional measures as necessary in the exercise of 
the U.S. 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. It is not possible to know at this time 
either the precise duration of combat operations or the precise scope 
and duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to counter 
the terrorist threat to the United States.

    United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous 
coalition partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign to pursue al-
Qaida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-Qaida. These operations 
have seriously degraded al-Qaida's training capabilities. United States 
Armed Forces, with

[[Page 2951]]

the assistance of numerous coalition partners, ended the Taliban regime 
in Afghanistan and are actively pursuing and engaging al-Qaida and 
remnant Taliban fighters. United States forces also have supported the 
International Security Assistance Force in providing security in 
connection with the Afghan elections.
    The United States continues to detain several hundred 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 U.S. 
Southern Command area of operations since January 2002, continue to 
conduct secure detention operations for enemy combatants at Guantanamo 
Bay.
    The U.N. Security Council authorized a Multinational Force (MNF) in 
Iraq under unified command in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1511 of 
October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its authorization in U.N. Security 
Council Resolution 1546 of June 8, 2004, noting the Iraqi Interim 
Government's request to retain the presence of the MNF. The mission of 
the MNF is to contribute to security and stability in Iraq, including by 
assisting in building the capability of Iraqi security forces and 
institutions, as the Iraqi people plan democratic elections and as 
reconstruction continues. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is more than 
135,000 military personnel.
    In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a 
continuing and imminent threat to the United States, our friends and 
allies, and our forces abroad, the United States continues to work with 
friends and allies in areas around the world. U.S. combat-equipped and 
combat-support forces are located in the Horn of Africa region, and the 
U.S. forces headquarters element in Djibouti provides command and 
control support as necessary for military operations against al-Qaida 
and other international terrorists in the Horn of Africa region, 
including Yemen. These forces also assist in enhancing counterterrorism 
capabilities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, Eritrea, and Djibouti. In 
addition, the United States continues to conduct maritime interception 
operations on the high seas in the areas of responsibility of all of the 
geographic combatant commanders. These maritime operations have the 
responsibility to stop the movement, arming, or financing of 
international terrorists.

NATO-Led Kosovo Force (KFOR)

    As noted in previous reports regarding U.S. contributions in support 
of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, 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 between 
NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (which is now 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 23 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. Eleven 
non-NATO contributing countries also participate by providing military 
personnel and other support personnel to KFOR. The U.S. contribution to 
KFOR in Kosovo is about 1,800 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 
10 percent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 18,000 personnel. 
In addition, U.S. military personnel occasionally operate from 
Macedonia, Albania, and Greece in support of KFOR operations.
    The U.S. forces have been assigned to a sector principally centered 
around Gnjilane in the eastern region of Kosovo.

[[Page 2952]]

For U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and 
secure environment remains the primary military task. The KFOR operates 
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.

    In accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, the UNMIK 
continues to transfer additional competencies to the Kosovar Provisional 
Institutions of Self-Government, which includes the President, Prime 
Minister, multiple ministries, and the Kosovo Assembly. The UNMIK 
retains ultimate authority in some sensitive areas such as police, 
justice, and ethnic minority affairs.

    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. 
The UNMIK international police and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) have 
full responsibility for public safety and policing throughout Kosovo 
except in the area of Mitrovica, where the KFOR and UNMIK share this 
responsibility due to security concerns. The UNMIK international police 
and KPS also have begun to assume responsibility for guarding 
patrimonial sites and established border-crossing checkpoints. The KFOR 
often augments security in particularly sensitive areas or in response 
to particular threats.

NATO-Led Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR)

    Regarding U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts in 
Bosnia and Herzegovina, the U.N. Security Council authorized, in U.N. 
Security Council Resolution 1551 of July 9, 2004, Member States to 
continue SFOR for an additional period of 6 months in anticipation of 
the conclusion of SFOR's operations, and the commencement of a European 
Union (EU) mission, including a military component, in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina by the end of 2004. The mission of SFOR is to provide a 
deterrent presence to help stabilize and consolidate the peace in Bosnia 
and Herzegovina, contribute to a secure environment, and perform key 
supporting tasks including support to the international civil presence 
in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
    The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 
approximately 1,000 personnel. United States personnel comprise 
approximately 12 percent of the approximately 8,500 personnel assigned 
to SFOR. Currently, 20 NATO nations and 8 others provide military 
personnel or other support to SFOR. Most U.S. forces in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina are assigned to Multinational Task Force, North, 
headquartered near the city of Tuzla. United States forces continue to 
support SFOR efforts to apprehend persons indicted for war crimes and to 
conduct counterterrorism operations.
    In June 2004 at the Istanbul Summit, NATO Heads of State and 
Government welcomed the offer of the EU to establish a new and separate 
mission in Bosnia, including a military component, and decided to 
establish a new NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo at the end of SFOR's 
operations. This NATO Headquarters, to which U.S. forces will be 
assigned, will have the principal task of providing advice on defense 
reform. The NATO headquarters also will undertake certain supporting 
operational tasks, including counterterrorism and supporting the 
International Criminal Tribunal

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for the Former Yugoslavia with regard to the detention of persons 
indicted for war crimes.
    I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of 
these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. 
foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. 
Officials of my Administration and I communicate regularly with the 
leadership and other Members of Congress with regard to these 
deployments, and we will continue to do so.
         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.