[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.