    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [December 14, 2007]
    [Pages 1552-1554]
    [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 14, 2007

    Dear Madam 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
    and Kosovo.

    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, European, 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
    the precise scope or the 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. The total number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is
    approximately 25,900, of which approximately 15,180 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 from October 13, 2007,
    in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1776 of September 19, 2007. The
    mission of the ISAF under NATO command is to assist the Government of
    Afghanistan in creating a safe and secure environment that allows for
    continued reconstruction and the exercise and extension of Afghan
    authority. Currently, 37 nations contribute military and other support
    personnel to the ISAF, including all 26 NATO nations.
        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 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, U.N. Security Council
    Resolution

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    1637 of November 8, 2005, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 of
    November 28, 2006, set to expire on December 31, 2007. Under Resolutions
    1546, 1637, and 1723, the mission of the MNF is to contribute to
    security and stability in Iraq. 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 fluctuates over time depending on the conditions in theater
    as determined by the commanders on the ground; the U.S. contribution to
    the MNF is approximately 159,529 U.S. military personnel.
        In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a
    continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its 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 counter-terrorism capabilities of our friends and
    allies. United States combat-equipped and combat-support forces also
    continue to be located in the Horn of Africa region.
        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 original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, and when
    necessary, enforce compliance with the Military Technical Agreement
    (MTA) between NATO and Serbia (formerly the Federal Republic of
    Yugoslavia), while maintaining a safe and secure environment. Today,
    KFOR deters renewed hostilities and, with local authorities and
    international police, contributes to the maintenance of a safe and
    secure environment that facilitates the work of the United Nations
    Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
        Currently, there are 24 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. Ten 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 1,498 U.S. military personnel, or approximately
    10 percent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 15,251 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, to protect
    minorities, to resolve disputes, and to 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 formally continues 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

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    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.
        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 Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate.