    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [December 7, 2005]
    [Pages 1828-1831]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Consolidated Report on
    the Deployment of United States Combat-Equipped Armed Forces
     December 7, 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 war on terror,
    Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    The War on Terror

        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 war on terror.
        I will direct additional measures as necessary in the exercise of
    the right of the United States 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

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    Taliban regime and are actively pursuing and engaging remnant al-Qaida
    and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. Approximately 280 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, 2005, in U.N. Security Council Resolution
    1623 of September 13, 2005. 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 operations for the approximately 500 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. In U.N. Security Council
    Resolution 1637 of November 8, 2005, the Security Council, noting the
    Iraqi Government's request to retain the presence of the MNF, extended
    the MNF mandate for a period ending on December 31, 2006. Under
    Resolutions 1546 and 1637, the mission of the MNF is to contribute to
    security and stability in Iraq, as reconstruction continues, until the
    completion of Iraq's political transformation. These contributions have
    included assisting in building the capability of the Iraqi security
    forces and institutions, as the Iraqi people, represented by the
    Transitional National Assembly, drafted and approved a constitution and
    progressed toward the establishment of a constitutionally elected
    government. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is approximately 160,000
    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 counter
    terrorism capabilities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, 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

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    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 25 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 percent 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
    the 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, 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 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 operations
    in Bosnia-Herzegovina and established NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo to
    continue to assist in implementing the Peace Agreement in conjunction
    with a newly established European Force. The NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo,
    to which approximately 220 U.S. personnel are assigned, is, with the
    European Force, 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

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    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. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    December 9.