    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 21 (Monday, May 29, 1995)]
    [Pages 898-900]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Bosnia

    May 24, 1995

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

        In my report to the Congress of November 22, 1994, I provided
    further information on the deployment of U.S. combat-equipped aircraft
    to support efforts of the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty
    Organization (NATO) to achieve peace and stability in Bosnia-
    Herzegovina. On December 22, 1994, I also provided my fourth report on
    the continuing deployment of a U.S. Army peacekeeping contingent as part
    of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Former Yugoslav Republic of
    Macedonia. I am now pro-

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    viding this follow-up report, consistent with the War Powers Resolution,
    to ensure that the Congress is kept informed about important U.S.
    contributions in support of multilateral efforts in the former
    Yugoslavia.
        U.S. combat-equipped fighter aircraft and other support aircraft
    continue to contribute to NATO's enforcement of the no-fly zone in the
    airspace over Bosnia-Herzegovina. In accordance with U.N. Security
    Council Resolutions 781, 786 and 816, this operation has since April
    1993, enforced a ban on flights not authorized by the United Nations
    Protection Force (UNPROFOR). Enforcement of the no-fly zone, has
    resulted in the almost complete elimination of fixed-wing air to ground
    bombing and other air combat activity within the zone thereby greatly
    limiting the scope of the conflict in the region. Military personnel
    from 11 other NATO member nations have joined us in this effort, which
    has involved almost 60,000 sorties since the operation began. U.S.
    forces currently assigned to this operation consist of approximately 100
    tactical aircraft as well as supporting tanker and other support
    aircraft.
        The U.N. Security Council has established safe areas in Bosnia-
    Herzegovina and has authorized Member States and regional organizations,
    in close coordination with the United Nations, to take all necessary
    measures, through the use of air power, to support UNPROFOR in its
    mandate related to the safe areas. The Council has also authorized
    Member States and regional organizations, in close coordination with the
    United Nations, to take all necessary measures to extend close air
    support to protect U.N. forces in Croatia. More than 70 U.S. aircraft,
    including those identified above, are available for participation in
    authorized NATO missions for these purposes.
        On March 31, 1995, the Security Council separated UNPROFOR into
    three operations: The United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in
    Croatia (UNCRO); The United Nations Preventive Deployment Force
    (UNPREDEP) in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and UNPROFOR in
    Bosnia-Herzegovina. A U.S. Army contingent remains deployed as part of
    UNPREDEP. Through observation and monitoring along the Serbian border,
    UNPREDEP continued to be effective in preventing the Balkan conflict
    from spreading and thereby contributes to the stability of the region.
    The approximately 500 U.S. soldiers contributing to this mission are
    assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 1st Armored Division,
    Baumholder, Germany.
        In addition to these operations, U.S. forces have conducted more
    than 4,300 missions in support of the U.N. High Commissioner for
    Refugees airlift to Sarajevo. U.S. medical and other support personnel
    continue to provide critical services in support of UNPROFOR and UNCRO.
    U.S. naval forces are also continuing to assist in enforcing U.N.
    sanctions, subject to the restrictions of the Nunn-Mitchell Amendment,
    as part of NATO's participation in Operation SHARP GUARD.
        The United States strongly favors a continued U.N. peacekeeping
    presence in the former Yugoslavia and a continuation of negotiations
    through the Contact Group. However, given the increase in fighting in
    Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, it may become necessary for NATO to
    assist in the withdrawal of peacekeepers from these areas. Because of
    the significant period of time needed to prepare and deploy the
    necessary forces to support such a withdrawal, our senior military
    commanders recommended that we take certain steps now to preposition the
    necessary communications network in order to be prepared to meet this
    contingency. Accordingly, on April 6, 1995, the North Atlantic Council
    authorized the Supreme Allied Commander for Europe to assemble, train
    and deploy into Croatia 80 communications personnel. Twenty U.S.
    soldiers are participating in this operation.
        These continuing efforts are being taken in conjunction with our
    allies to implement the decisions of the U.N. Security Council and the
    North Atlantic Council and to assist the parties to reach a negotiated
    settlement to the conflict. I have directed the participation of U.S.
    Armed Forces in these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority
    to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief, and in
    accordance with various statutory authorities.
        I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the
    Congress fully informed,

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    consistent with the War Powers Resolution. I am grateful for the
    continuing support that the Congress has provided, and I look forward to
    continued cooperation with you in this endeavor. I shall communicate
    with you further regarding our efforts to foster peace and stability in
    the former Yugoslavia.
        Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of the
    Senate.