[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
[June 15, 2006]
[Pages 1154-1156]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Deployments of United 
States Combat-Equipped Armed Forces Around the World
June 15, 2006

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 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 in Combined Forces Command, Afghanistan, 
ended the Taliban regime and are actively pursuing and engaging remnant 
al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. Approximately 200 U.S. 
personnel also are 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 beginning 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 460 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

[[Page 1155]]

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. These contributions have included assisting in building the 
capability of the Iraqi security forces and institutions as the Iraqi 
people drafted and approved a constitution and established a 
constitutionally elected government. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is 
approximately 131,000 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. These efforts include the 
deployment of U.S. combat-equipped and combat-support forces to assist 
in enhancing the counterterrorism capabilities of our friends and 
allies. United States combat-equipped and combat-support forces continue 
to be 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 in 
Yemen. 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); 
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 24 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 
11 percent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 16,000 personnel.
    The U.S. forces have been assigned to 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.

[[Page 1156]]

    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. 
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 250 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 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 Richard B. Cheney, President of the 
Senate.