[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 34, Number 35 (Monday, August 31, 1998)]
[Pages 1650-1651]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Military Action Against 
Terrorist Sites in Afghanistan and Sudan

August 21, 1998

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

    At approximately 1:30 p.m. eastern daylight time, on August 20, 
1998, at my direction, US. forces conducted strikes in Afghanistan 
against a series of camps and installations used by the Usama bin Ladin 
organization, and in Sudan where the bin Ladin organization has 
facilities and extensive ties to the government. I ordered these actions 
based on convincing information from a variety of

[[Page 1651]]

reliable sources that the bin Ladin organization is responsible for the 
devastating bombings on August 7, 1998, of the U.S. Embassies in 
Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, that killed over 250 
persons. United States forces struck a facility in Sudan being used to 
produce materials for chemical weapons. They also struck facilities in 
Afghanistan that are being used for terrorist training and as basing and 
supply camps for staging terrorist activities.
    The United States acted in exercise of our inherent right of self-
defense consistent with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. These 
strikes were a necessary and proportionate response to the imminent 
threat of further terrorist attacks against U.S. personnel and 
facilities. These strikes were intended to prevent and deter additional 
attacks by a clearly identified terrorist threat. The targets were 
selected because they served to facilitate directly the efforts of 
terrorists specifically identified with attacks on U.S. personnel and 
facilities and posed a continuing threat to U.S. lives.
    The U.S. forces involved in these strikes have completed their 
mission. No U.S. personnel were injured or killed in connection with 
this action.
    I directed these actions 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 as we continue to take all 
necessary steps to protect U.S. citizens at home and abroad.
    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 
August 22.