    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [May 20, 2005]
    [Pages 841-843]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Deployment of United States
    Combat-Equipped Armed Forces Around the World
    May 20, 2005

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        I am providing this supplemental consolidated 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.

    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 scope or 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 been successful in seriously degrading al-
    Qaida's training capabilities. United States Armed Forces, with the
    assistance of numerous coalition partners, ended the Taliban regime in
    Afghanistan and are actively pursuing and engaging remnant al-Qaida and
    Taliban fighters. Approximately 90 U.S. personnel are also assigned to
    the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The
    U.N. Security Council authorized the ISAF in U.N. Security Council
    Resolution 1386 of December 20, 2001, and has reaffirmed its
    authorization since that time, most recently, for a 12-month period from
    October 13, 2004, in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1563 of September
    13, 2004. The mission of the ISAF under NATO command is to assist the
    Government of Afghanistan in creating a safe and secure environment that
    allows reconstruction and the reestablishment of Afghan authorities.
    Currently, all 26 NATO nations contribute to the ISAF. Ten non-NATO
    contributing countries also participate by providing military and other
    support personnel to the ISAF.
        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

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    operations for the approximately 520 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. Under U.N.
    Security Council Resolution 1546, the mission of the MNF is to
    contribute to the security and stability in Iraq, as reconstruction
    continues, until the completion of Iraq's political transformation.
    These contributions include assisting in building the capability of the
    Iraqi security forces and institutions, as the Iraqi people, represented
    by the Transitional National Assembly, draft a constitution and
    establish a constitutionally elected government. The U.S. contribution
    to the MNF is approximately 139,000 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 globe. United States 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 1,700 U.S. military personnel, or approximately
    10 per-cent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 17,000 personnel.
    Additionally, 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. 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

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    instill in the community a feeling of confidence.
        In accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, 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 South Mitrovica, where 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
    augments security in particularly sensitive areas or in response to
    particular threats as needed.

    NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina

        Pursuant to the June 2004 decision made by NATO Heads of State and
    Government, and in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1575
    of November 22, 2004, NATO concluded its Stabilization Force (SFOR)
    operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and established NATO Headquarters-
    Sarajevo to continue to assist in implementing the Peace Agreement in
    conjunction with a newly established European Force (EUFOR). NATO
    Headquarters-Sarajevo, to which approximately 235 U.S. personnel are
    assigned, is, with EUFOR, the legal successor to SFOR. The principal
    tasks of NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo are providing advice on defense
    reform and performing operational supporting tasks, such as
    counterterrorism and supporting the International Criminal Tribunal for
    the Former Yugoslavia.
        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.