    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book II)]
    [December 16, 2008]
    [Pages 1469-1471]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Reporting on the Deployments of
    United States Combat-Equipped Armed Forces Around the World
    December 16, 2008

    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 in 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, Southern, and Africa 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 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 31,000, of which approximately 13,000 are assigned to the
    International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The U.N.
    Security Council authorized 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, 2008, in
    U.N. Security Council Resolution 1833 of September 22, 2008. The mission
    of 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, more than 40 nations contribute to ISAF, including all 26
    NATO Allies.
        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

    [[Page 1470]]

    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 1637 of November 8, 2005, U.N. Security Council Resolution
    1723 of November 28, 2006, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 of
    December 18, 2007, set to expire on December 31, 2008. Under Resolutions
    1546, 1637, 1723, and 1790, the mission of the MNF is to contribute to
    security and stability in Iraq. These contributions have included, but
    have not been limited to, assisting in building the capability of the
    Iraqi security forces, supporting the development of Iraq's political
    institutions, improving local governance, enhancing ministerial
    capacity, and providing critical humanitarian and reconstruction
    assistance to the Iraqis. 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 current U.S. contribution to the MNF is
    approximately 152,035 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 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.
        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, to verify, and, when
    necessary, to enforce compliance with the Military Technical Agreement
    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 Interim Administrative
    Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the European Union (EU)-led International
    Civilian Office, and the evolving EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX).
        Currently, 25 NATO nations contribute to KFOR. Eight non-NATO
    countries also participate by providing military and other support
    personnel to KFOR. The U.S. contribution to KFOR is about 1,500 U.S.
    military personnel, or approximately 9 percent of KFOR's total strength
    of approximately 15,500 personnel.
        The U.S. participating forces in KFOR have been assigned to the
    eastern region of Kosovo but also have operated in other areas of the
    country based on mission requirements. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR
    generally, helping to maintain a safe and secure environment remains the
    principal military task. The KFOR operates under NATO command and
    control and rules of engagement. The KFOR currently coordinates with and
    supports UNMIK

    [[Page 1471]]

    within means and capabilities and has provided similar assurances of
    cooperation to EULEX. The KFOR provides a security presence in towns,
    villages, and the country-side; and organizes checkpoints and patrols in
    key areas to provide security, to protect all elements of the population
    living in Kosovo, and to help instill a feeling of confidence in all
    ethnic communities throughout Kosovo.
        NATO continues periodically to conduct a formal review of KFOR's
    mission. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current force
    levels, future requirements, force structure, force reductions, and the
    eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO adopted the Joint Operations Area plan
    to regionalize and rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
        The UNMIK international police and Kosovo Police Service (KPS) have
    primary responsibility for public safety and policing throughout Kosovo.
    The UNMIK international police and KPS also have assumed responsibility
    for guarding some patrimonial sites and operating border crossings. The
    KFOR supports these police forces when requested and augments security
    in particularly sensitive areas or in response to particular threats as
    events on the ground dictate.
        I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of
    these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the
    foreign relations of the United States 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 Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of the
    Senate.