    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 16 (Monday, April 25, 1994)]
    [Pages 851-852]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Peacekeeping Operations in
    the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

    April 19, 1994

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

        On January 8, 1994, I provided my second report to you on the
    deployment of a U.S. Army peacekeeping contingent as part of the United
    Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the former Yugoslav Republic of
    Macedonia. I am now providing this further report, consistent with the
    War Powers Resolution, to inform you about my decision to augment our
    contingent in support of multilateral peacekeeping efforts in the
    region.
        Since its arrival in July 1993, our combat-equipped U.S. Army
    contingent of approximately 315 Americans has been an important part of
    UNPROFOR Macedonia. Along with a Nordic battalion consisting of troops
    from Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, the U.S. Armed Forces have
    assisted in the U.N. Security Council-authorized mission of monitoring
    and reporting developments along the northern border that could signify
    a threat to the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The U.S.
    contribution has played an important role in the UNPROFOR Macedonia
    effort to prevent the conflict in the former Yugoslavia from spreading
    while contributing to stability in the region.
        In order to support the United Nations as it sought additional
    forces to serve with UNPROFOR Bosnia-Herzegovina, the United States
    offered to increase the U.S. contribution to UNPROFOR Macedonia by
    approximately 200 personnel. The United Nations expressed its
    appreciation for continued U.S. cooperation and support and requested
    that the additional U.S. personnel be deployed to UNPROFOR Macedonia. We
    believe that the decision to deploy additional U.S. personnel to replace
    elements of the UNPROFOR Macedonia Nordic battalion has contributed to
    the decisions by member governments to deploy additional military
    personnel to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
        As a result of these decisions, the U.S. European Command is
    deploying a reinforced company of approximately 200 personnel to augment
    the U.S. Army contingent in UNPROFOR Macedonia. The additional U.S.
    Armed Forces are from Company D, 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment,
    3rd Infantry Division, V Corps, Vilseck, Germany. This unit is joining
    the U.S. reinforced company that was deployed earlier. The unit is
    equipped to assume sector responsibilities for departing Nordic troops
    as part of the ongoing U.N. monitoring and observer mission.
        United States forces assigned to UNPROFOR Macedonia have encountered
    no hostilities, and there have been no U.S. casualties since the
    operation began. The mission has the support of the government and the
    local population. Our forces will remain fully prepared not only to
    fulfill their peacekeeping mission, but to defend themselves if
    necessary.
        This additional U.S. contribution to UNPROFOR Macedonia is
    consistent with our commitment to multilateral efforts to address
    threats to international peace and security in the former Yugoslavia. I
    have ordered the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces for these purposes
    pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct foreign relations and
    as Commander in Chief.
        I appreciate the support of the Congress for our efforts in the
    former Yugoslavia, and I look forward to continued cooperation with you
    in these matters.
        Sincerely,

                                                William J. 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.

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