[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 21 (Monday, May 27, 1996)]
[Pages 941-942]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Central African Republic

May 23, 1996

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

    On May 19, 1996, heavy fighting broke out between government forces 
and mutinous troops in the capital city of Bangui, Central African 
Republic. Early reports suggested that some 200-500 renegade soldiers 
were firing weapons, including rockets and artillery, and that they had 
called for troops from outside the capital to join them in the mutiny. 
During the fighting, prison guards reportedly abandoned their posts and 
prisoners were observed loitering around the prison. Although neither 
the American Embassy nor American citizens have been directly targeted, 
heavy fighting has been reported around the American Embassy, which has 
sustained some damage from stray rounds. At one point, government forces 
indicated an intention to assault a rebel stronghold very near the 
Embassy, but were dissuaded by the Ambassador.
    On May 20, due to the rapidly deteriorating security situation and 
the resultant threat to American citizens and the Embassy, I ordered the 
deployment of U.S. military personnel to provide enhanced security for 
the American Embassy in Bangui and to conduct the evacuation from the 
Central African Republic of private U.S. citizens and certain U.S. 
Government employees. Approximately 32 U.S. Marines entered the capital 
city in the early morning hours on May 21 and immediately took up 
positions in and around the American Embassy compound. They also 
deployed to the international airport in order to assist in processing 
evacuees and act as liaison with French military forces already 
positioned there. Evacuation operations began later that day, involving 
a U.S. KC-130 cargo aircraft operating into Yaounde, Cameroon. Further 
evacuation flights are planned. Additional U.S. forces may also be 
deployed in order to provide a means of safe passage for evacuees to the 
airport and to provide additional security at the American Embassy if 
required.
    The marines involved in this operation are from the Marine 
Expeditionary Unit currently operating off Liberia. Although U.S. forces 
are equipped and prepared to defend American lives and property, I do 
not anticipate that they will become involved in hostilities. U.S. 
forces will redeploy as soon as evacuation operations are complete and 
enhanced security at the American Embassy is no longer required.
    I have taken this action 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, consistent with the War Powers Resolution. I 
appreciate the support of the Congress in this action to protect 
American citizens and the American Embassy in Bangui.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
May 23, 1996.

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

[[Page 942]]