    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [December 15, 2006]
    [Pages 2193-2196]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployments of United
    States Combat-Equipped Armed Forces Around the World
    December 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.

    [[Page 2194]]

    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, ended the Taliban regime and are actively
    pursuing and engaging remnant al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in
    Afghanistan. Approximately 10,400 U.S. personnel also are assigned to
    the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. This
    number is higher than that stated in the last report because in late
    October 2006 additional U.S. forces were reassigned to ISAF. The total
    number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is approximately 21,000. 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, 2006,
    in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1707 of September 12, 2006. 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. Eleven 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 435 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. In U.N.
    Security Council Resolution 1723 of November 28, 2006, the Security
    Council extended the MNF mandate until December 31, 2007. Under
    Resolutions 1546, 1637, and 1723, 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

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    drafted and approved a constitution and established a constitutionally
    elected government. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is approximately
    134,000 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 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 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 Kosovo 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.
    The UNMIK international police and KPS also

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    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 and 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 100 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 Ted Stevens, President pro tempore of the
    Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    December 18.