[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 29 (Monday, July 21, 1997)]
[Page 1067]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on Cambodia

July 11, 1997

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

    Political animosity between Cambodia's Co-Prime Ministers, Prince 
Ranariddh and Hun Sen, erupted into armed clashes on July 5. Hun Sen, in 
what he claimed was a preemptive move, acted to disarm forces loyal to 
Ranariddh in Phnom Penh. Although Hun Sen has outwardly maintained the 
coalition government, he intends to replace Ranariddh as Co-Prime 
Minister. After fighting between the rival forces over a wide area of 
Phnom Penh on the weekend, an uneasy calm has been restored in the 
capital. No Americans were killed or wounded. Danger remains in Cambodia 
from increased criminal activity and military mop-up operations 
(including extralegal arrests) since July 5, and living conditions have 
deteriorated due to extensive damage sustained during the fighting. The 
principal area of concern is now the northwest part of the country where 
elements of the armed forces led by commanders still loyal to Ranariddh 
are resisting forces loyal to Hun Sen. The potential exists for armed 
clashes between contending units. U.S. citizens are not the targets of 
any of the contending forces, but substantial danger exists to the 
civilian population and any foreign residents or visitors in those 
regions, principally the northwest, where clashes are likely to occur.
    On July 9, 1997, the State Department ordered a drawdown of official 
American personnel to a minimal staff of 20 persons, and recommended 
that private American citizens in Cambodia should leave. The departures 
are being accomplished, safely so far, through commercial air. If the 
security situation deteriorates, however, that option might quickly 
become unavailable.
    On July 10, 1997, a Joint Task Force of approximately 550 U.S. 
military personnel from the U.S. Pacific Command and the United States 
began deploying to establish an intermediate staging base at Utapao Air 
Base, Thailand. These forces will stage for possible emergency 
noncombatant evacuation operations in Cambodia, establish 
communications, and conduct contingency planning. These actions will 
enhance the ability of the United States to ensure the security of 
between 1,200 to 1,400 American citizens in Cambodia if an evacuation 
should become necessary.
    The Joint Task Force includes a forward headquarters element, fixed-
wing and rotary aircraft, airport control and support equipment, and 
medical and security personnel and equipment.
    The U.S. forces primarily come from elements of the U.S. Pacific 
Command; other elements are U.S. based units. All the armed services are 
represented. Although U.S. forces are equipped for combat, this movement 
is being undertaken solely for the purpose of preparing to protect 
American citizens and property in the event that such becomes necessary. 
U.S. forces will redeploy as soon as an evacuation is determined to be 
unnecessary or, if necessary, is completed.
    I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional authority to 
conduct U.S. foreign relations 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 prepare to 
protect American citizens in Cambodia.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
July 11, 1997.

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 
July 12.