[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 14 (Monday, April 12, 1999)]
[Pages 582-583]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Decision To Send 
Certain United States Forces to Macedonia and Albania

April 4, 1999

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

    Further to my report to the Congress of March 25 and April 3, 1999, 
under section 8115 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1999 
(Public Law 105-262), this report is to inform you of my decision to 
deploy additional U.S. forces to Albania in support of ongoing NATO air 
operations to reduce the capacity of the Serbian military and security 
forces to conduct offensive operations.
    In particular, rotary wing, artillery, and tactical missile systems 
will be deployed to establish a deep strike task force in Albania to 
enhance NATO's ability to conduct effective air operations in Kosovo as 
part of the current NATO mission. In regard to the elements of section 
8115(a)(1)-(8), I am providing the following to supplement information 
provided on these elements in my reports of March 25 and April 3, 1999.
    1 & 2. National Security Interests. I hereby certify that the 
deployment of additional forces to Albania as described above is 
necessary in the national security interests of the United States. This 
deployment will provide additional specialized forces to reduce the 
capacity of the Serbian military and security forces to continue 
repression and ethnic cleansing and to deter the threat to regional 
peace and security.
    3. Numbers. I anticipate that a substantial deep strike task force, 
comprised of rotary wing, artillery, and tactical missile systems, 
together with supporting and security elements, will be deployed to 
Albania for these purposes. There is not at this time a definitive 
number of U.S. military personnel who will be deployed as part of this 
task force, but I anticipate that, at a minimum, approximately 2,000 
will be required. I will ensure that the Congress is informed in a 
timely manner about the deployment described in this report when the 
information is available.
    4. Mission/Objectives. The overall objective of our efforts with our 
allies in the region has been detailed in my previous reports of March 
25 and April 3, 1999. The specific military mission of the strike task 
force deployed to Albania will be to support ongoing NATO air operations 
to reduce the capacity of the Serbian military and security forces to 
conduct offensive operations. The ground force component is for the 
support and security of the deep strike elements. Their mission does not 
include any planned deployment of ground troops into the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia.
    5. Schedule. Although it is not possible at this time to determine 
how long NATO operations will need to continue, we are determined to 
sustain this effort along with our allies as long as necessary to meet 
our objectives.
    6. Exit Strategy. The duration of the requirement for this strike 
task force deployment to Albania will depend on the course of events, 
and in particular, on Belgarde's reaction to NATO operations.
    7. Costs. The costs of the deployment covered by this notice, like 
the costs of the U.S. contribution to NATO air operations, will be paid 
initially from FY99 Defense Operations and Maintenance appropriations. 
An estimate of likely costs for these deployments is being prepared, and 
I will ensure that it is provided to the Congress as soon as it is 
available.
    8. Effect on Morale, Retention and Readiness. In addition to the 
specific points I made on these matters in my reports of March 25 and 
April 3, I would only underscore and express my deep gratitude for the 
great pride, courage, professionalism, and enthusiasm of the men and 
women of our Armed Forces who are carrying out this critical mission.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate. 
This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on April 
5.

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