[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 42 (Monday, October 23, 2000)]
[Page 2482]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployment of United 
States Forces in Response to the Attack on the U.S.S. Cole

October 14, 2000

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

    At approximately 5:15 a.m. eastern daylight time, October 12, 2000, 
a small boat exploded alongside the USS COLE (DDG 67) while the USS COLE 
was mooring to a harbor fueling island during a refueling stop in the 
port of Aden, Yemen. A number of American sailors were killed or 
wounded, and the USS COLE suffered extensive damage. Department of 
Defense assets were immediately identified to provide medical, security, 
and disaster responses.
    Later in the day on October 12, 2000, approximately 45 military 
personnel from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command deployed to Aden to 
provide medical, security, and disaster response assistance. In 
addition, a team of approximately 50 U.S. military security personnel 
arrived in Aden in the early morning hours of October 13, 2000. It is 
also anticipated that additional similar security elements may be 
deployed to the area. The security personnel will enhance the ability of 
the United States to ensure the security of the USS COLE and the 
personnel responding to the incident. Although the security personnel 
are equipped for combat, their presence is solely for the purpose of 
assisting in on-site security. Finally, two U.S. Navy surface combatant 
vessels are operating in or near Yemeni territorial waters to provide 
communications and other support, as required. United States forces will 
redeploy as soon as the additional security support is determined to be 
unnecessary.
    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 assist in 
ensuring security of U.S. military forces and other personnel overseas.
    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.