[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 31, Number 36 (Monday, September 11, 1995)]
[Pages 1473-1474]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Bosnia

September 1, 1995

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

    I last reported to the Congress on May 24, 1995, concerning U.S. 
support for the United Nations and North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
(NATO) efforts in the former Yugoslavia. I am today reporting on the use 
of U.S. combat and support aircraft commencing on August 29, 1995 (EDT), 
in a series of NATO air strikes against Bosnian Serb Army (BSA) forces 
in Bosnia-Herzegovina that were threatening the U.N.-declared safe areas 
of Sarajevo, Tuzla, and Gorazde. The NATO air strikes were launched 
following an August 28, 1995, BSA mortar attack on Sarajevo that killed 
37 people and injured over 80. This tragic and inexcusable act was the 
latest in a series of BSA attacks on unarmed civilians in the safe 
areas.
    By way of background, and as I am sure you are aware, the situation 
in eastern Bosnia-Herzegovina, and in particular the safe areas in the 
so-called ``eastern enclaves,'' changed dramatically in the month of 
July. On July 11, 1995, the safe area of Srebrenica fell to the BSA 
following repeated BSA attacks. As a result of the fall of Srebrenica, 
over 40,000 persons were forced from their homes. Similarly, on July 26, 
1995, the safe area of Zepa fell to attacking BSA forces with over 8,000 
persons displaced. As a result of these actions by the BSA, intensive 
discussions took place between U.N. and NATO authorities to address what 
could be done to enhance protection of the remaining safe areas of 
Sarajevo, Tuzla, Bihac, and Gorazde.
    Under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 824 of May 
6, 1993, certain portions of Bosnia-Herzegovina, including the city of 
Sarajevo, were established as safe areas that should be ``free from 
armed attacks and from any other hostile act.'' Additionally, under 
UNSCR 836 of June 4, 1993, member states and regional organizations are 
authorized, in close coordination with the United Nations, to take all 
necessary measures, through the use of air power, to support the United 
Nations Protection Forces (UNPROFOR) in the performance of its mandate 
related to the safe areas. This mandate includes deterring attacks and 
replying to bombardments on the safe areas. Consistent with these and 
other resolutions, and in light of the recent events described above, 
the United Nations requested and NATO initiated air strikes on August 
29, 1995. The air strikes were fully coordinated with the simultaneous 
artillery attacks by the Rapid Reaction Force.
    On July 25, 1995, and August 1, 1995, the North Atlantic Council 
(NAC) approved a number of measures designed to meet further BSA attacks 
on the remaining safe areas with a ``firm, rapid and decisive 
response.'' Specifically, the NAC agreed that a ``direct attack (e.g., 
ground, shelling, or aircraft)'' against any of the remaining safe areas 
would initiate air operations as determined by the common judgment of 
NATO and U.N. military commanders. The NATO air strikes commencing on 
August 29, 1995, are pursuant to the NAC's decision of August 1, 1995,

[[Page 1474]]

and are an appropriate and necessary response to BSA actions. The NATO 
and U.N. operations are intended to reduce the threat to the Sarajevo 
safe area and to deter further attacks there or in any other safe area. 
These operations will continue until NATO and U.N. commanders determine 
that they have achieved their aims.
    During the first day of operations, some 300 sorties were flown 
against 23 targets in the vicinity of Sarajevo, Tuzla, Gorazde, and 
Mostar. The aircraft struck a variety of BSA targets, including heavy 
weapons emplacements, command and control facilities, communications 
sites, air defense sites, and ammunition facilities. Initial reports 
suggest that the strikes were successful in damaging or destroying a 
number of BSA targets. No U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the 
strikes nor were any U.S. personnel killed, wounded, or captured. At the 
same time that the air strikes were being conducted, the U.N.'s Rapid 
Reaction Force fired over 600 artillery and mortar rounds at BSA heavy 
weapons systems and ammunition storage sites around Sarajevo.
    I authorized these actions in conjunction with our NATO allies to 
implement the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions and NATO 
decisions. As I have reported in the past and as our current diplomatic 
actions clearly indicate, our efforts in the former Yugoslavia are 
intended to assist the parties to reach a negotiated settlement to the 
conflict. I have directed the participation of U.S. forces in this 
effort pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign 
relations of the United States and as Commander in Chief and Chief 
Executive.
    I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the 
Congress fully informed about developments in the former Yugoslavia, 
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 in this endeavor.
    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. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
September 2.