[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 28 (Monday, July 19, 1993)]
[Pages 1302-1303]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia

 July 9, 1993

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)

    On June 18, 1993, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 842, 
expanding the size of the U.N. Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the former 
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Security Council acknowledged the 
important contribution of the existing UNPROFOR presence to stability in 
the region and welcomed the addition of a U.S. peacekeeping contingent 
to UNPROFOR in Macedonia. I have since ordered the deployment of U.S. 
Armed Forces to Macedonia for these purposes and am providing this 
report, consistent with Section 4 of the War Powers Resolution, to 
ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed about this important 
U.S. action in support of United Nations efforts in the region.
    After the adoption of U.N. Security Council Resolution 795 (1992), 
which established the UNPROFOR Macedonia mission under Chapter VI of the 
U.N. Charter, UNPROFOR deployed a Nordic battalion composed of some 700 
military personnel to Macedonia in early 1993. This peacekeeping force 
has been stationed along the northern Macedonian border with the mandate 
of monitoring and reporting any developments that could signify a threat 
to the territory of Macedonia. Norway, Finland, and Sweden have 
contributed infantry companies to this battalion, which is under the 
U.N. command of a Danish Brigadier General.
    Over the past several days, we have begun implementing plans to 
augment UNPROFOR Macedonia with U.S. Armed Forces, consistent with 
Security Council Resolution 842 and as part of the U.S. commitment to 
support multilateral efforts to prevent the Balkan conflict from 
spreading and to contribute to stability in the region. At my direction, 
the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff through the Commander in 
Chief, U.S. European Command, ordered the deployment of Company C, 6th 
Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment of the Berlin Brigade to Macedonia. 
On July 3, advance parties and support elements began transporting 
equipment into Macedonia by U.S. C-141 aircraft. The main body of this 
unit began arriving by U.S. C-5 aircraft on July 7. The unit's 
equipment, including M-113 Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs), has also 
been delivered to the operating area. It is expected that the full 
contingent of U.S. military personnel, numbering approximately 350, will 
be in place and equipped by July 12.
    The U.S. contingent will serve under the operational control of 
UNPROFOR Macedonia and will conduct missions as directed by the U.N. 
commander. Although UNPROFOR Macedonia is a U.N. peacekeeping force 
under Chapter VI of the Charter and has not encountered hostilities to 
date, our forces are fully prepared not only to fulfill their 
peacekeeping mission but to defend themselves if necessary.
    This deployment is important to our foreign policy and natural 
security interests and has been directed in accordance with Section 7 of 
the United Nations Participation Act and pursuant to my constitutional 
authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. I will continue to 
keep you informed about

[[Page 1303]]

the progress of this and other U.S. efforts towards peace and stability 
in the vital Balkan region.
    Sincerely,
                                                  Bill Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of 
the Senate. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.