[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 30 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Pages 1243-1244]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Continued Operations of 
United States Forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina

July 22, 2002

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

    In my report to the Congress of January 21, 2002, I provided 
information on the deployment of combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces to 
Bosnia and Herzegovina and other states in the region in order to 
participate in and support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
(NATO)-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). The SFOR began its mission and 
assumed authority from the NATO-led Implementation Force on December 20, 
1996. I am providing this supplemental report, prepared by my 
Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 
93-148), to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on 
continued U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts in the 
former Yugoslavia.
    The U.N. Security Council authorized Member States to continue SFOR 
for a period of 12 months in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1423 of 
July 12, 2002. The mission of SFOR is to provide a focused military 
presence in order to deter hostilities, stabilize and consolidate the 
peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contribute to a secure environment, and 
provide, within its means and capabilities, selective support to key 
areas and key civil implementation organizations.
    Initially, the United States vetoed the U.N. Security Council 
Resolution authorizing Member States to continue SFOR for a period of 12 
months because it did not provide protection for U.S. forces 
participating in SFOR from the purported jurisdiction of the 
International Criminal Court (ICC). In U.N. Security Council Resolution 
1422, the Security Council requested that the ICC not commence any 
investigation or prosecution in any case arising from acts or omissions 
relating to a U.N. established or authorized operation that involve 
current or former officials or personnel from a contributing state not a 
Party to the Rome Statute for a period of

[[Page 1244]]

12 months starting July 1, 2002; this resolution has the effect of 
prohibiting the ICC from commencing any investigation or prosecution of 
U.S. forces in SFOR for a period of 1 year. The Security Council further 
declared its intention to renew this resolution on an annual basis. In 
light of these protections for U.S. forces and personnel, the United 
States voted in favor of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1423.
    The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 
approximately 2,400 personnel. United States personnel comprise just 
under 15 percent of the total SFOR force of approximately 15,800 
personnel. During the first half of 2002, 18 NATO nations and 17 others, 
including Russia, provided military personnel or other support to SFOR. 
Most U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina are assigned to Multinational 
Division, North, headquartered in the city of Tuzla. Additionally, U.S. 
military personnel are deployed to other countries in the region in 
support of SFOR. These deployments include approximately 60 U.S. 
military personnel deployed to Hungary and Croatia to provide logistical 
and other support. The U.S. forces continue to support SFOR efforts to 
apprehend persons indicted for war crimes. In the last 6 months, U.S. 
forces have not sustained any combat-related fatalities.
    I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in these 
operations 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 about developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 
other states in the region. I will continue to consult closely with the 
Congress regarding our efforts to foster peace and stability in the 
former Yugoslavia.
     Sincerely,
                                                George W. Bush

Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the 
House of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of 
the Senate.