[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 24 (Monday, June 21, 1999)]
[Pages 1107-1108]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting the Deployment of United 
States Military Personnel as Part of the Kosovo International Security 
Force

June 12, 1999

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

    On March 26, April 7, and May 25, 1999, I reported to the Congress, 
consistent with the War Powers Resolution, concerning U.S. participation 
in the NATO air strikes against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) 
and in supporting operations in the region, in response to the FRY 
Government's campaign of violence and repression against the civilian 
population of Kosovo. In my report of June 5, 1999, under section 8115 
of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 1999 (Public Law 105-
262), I noted the FRY had accepted the detailed set of principles for 
ending the conflict, as presented by Finnish President Ahtisaari along 
with Russian Special Envoy Chernomyrdin. I also stated that I had 
authorized the deployment of a significant contingent of military 
personnel to Kosovo as part of an international security presence 
(KFOR), provided it became clear that Belgrade had fully adopted NATO's 
conditions and was withdrawing its forces.
    I can now confirm that the FRY has accepted NATO's conditions, and 
the process of implementing them has begun. On June 9, Lieutenant 
General Sir Michael Jackson, the NATO commander of KFOR, concluded a 
Military-Technical Agreement (MTA) with FRY authorities. The MTA 
specifies the detailed modalities and schedule for the full withdrawal 
of all FRY military, paramilitary and police forces from Kosovo. The MTA 
also details the role and authorities of KFOR, confirming that it can 
take the measures necessary to create a secure environment for the 
return of the Kosovars to their homes in safety and self-government. 
Among other authorities, KFOR is empowered to ensure that the withdrawal 
of FRY forces proceeds on

[[Page 1108]]

schedule, to protect KFOR and the civil implementation presence, and 
assist other international entities involved in restoring peace to 
Kosovo.
    Conclusion of the MTA and the subsequent start of Serb force 
withdrawals paved the way for NATO to suspend its air campaign on June 
10, 1999, and for the United Nations Security Council on the same day to 
adopt Resolution 1244 authorizing the establishment of the international 
security force.
    In view of these events, I have directed the deployment of 
approximately 7,000 U.S. military personnel as the U.S. contribution to 
the approximately 50,000-member, NATO-led security force (KFOR) now 
being deployed into Kosovo. The KFOR will operate under unified NATO 
command and control, and with rules of engagement set by the Alliance. 
As part of the central NATO role that we have insisted upon, and 
consistent with the recommendations of my senior civilian and military 
advisors, U.S. personnel participating in these efforts will be under 
the operational control solely of officers from the United States or 
other NATO countries. In addition, a total of approximately 1,500 U.S. 
military personnel, under separate U.S. command and control, will deploy 
to other countries in the region, as our national support element, in 
support of KFOR.
    I expect that after the withdrawal of all Serb forces from Kosovo 
and an initial stabilization period, KFOR will be progressively reduced 
as the security situation permits and international and local police 
forces are established. The KFOR ultimately will transfer 
responsibilities to the international provisional administration, local 
institutions, and other appropriate organizations.
    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 continued support of the Congress in this action.
    Sincerely,
                                            William J. Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, 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 June 14.