[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 47 (Monday, November 25, 2002)]
[Pages 2044-2045]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

November 15, 2002

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

    In my report to the Congress dated May 17, 2002, I provided 
information regarding the continued deployment of combat equipped U.S. 
military personnel as the U.S. contribution to the NATO-led 
international security force in Kosovo (KFOR) and to other countries in 
the region in support of that force. I am providing this supplemental 
report prepared by my Administration, 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 Kosovo.
    As noted in previous reports, the U.N. Security Council authorized 
member states to establish KFOR in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 
of June 10, 1999. The mission of KFOR is to provide a military presence 
in order to deter renewed hostilities; verify and, if necessary, enforce 
the terms of the Military Technical Agreement (MTA) between NATO and the 
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY); enforce the terms of the 
Undertaking on Demilitarization and Transformation of the former Kosovo 
Liberation Army (KLA); provide day-to-day operational direction to the 
Kosovo Protection Corps; and maintain a safe and secure environment to 
facilitate the work of the U.N. Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo 
(UNMIK).
    Currently, the U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is approximately 
4,350 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 15 percent of KFOR's 
total strength. An additional 266 U.S. military personnel are deployed 
as the National Support Element in Macedonia, with an occasional 
presence in Albania and Greece. In the past 6 months, 19 non-NATO 
contributing countries have joined NATO forces in providing military 
personnel and other support personnel to KFOR.
    The U.S. forces are assigned to a sector principally centered upon 
Gnjilane in the eastern portion of Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR

[[Page 2045]]

forces, as for KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and secure environment 
remains the primary military task. United States forces conduct security 
patrols in urban areas and in the countryside throughout their sector. 
Approximately 60 percent of KFOR personnel are dedicated to patrolling, 
manning checkpoints, and mounting border and boundary patrols. The KFOR 
forces operate under NATO command and control and rules of engagement.
    The UNMIK continues to make progress in establishing the necessary 
structures for provisional democratic self-government in Kosovo. The 
Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, including a President, 
Prime Minister, and Kosovo Assembly, have been in place since March 
2002, and municipal elections were successfully held for a second time 
on October 26, 2002. The KFOR coordinates with and supports UNMIK at 
most levels, provides a security presence in towns, villages, and the 
countryside, and organizes checkpoints and patrols in key areas of 
Kosovo to provide security, protect minorities, resolve disputes, and 
help instill in the community a feeling of confidence. Intensified, 
robust KFOR patrolling on the Macedonia/Kosovo border was a key factor 
in reducing violence in Macedonia and ensuring successful elections. At 
the same time, KFOR is supporting, within its means and capabilities, 
the provision of humanitarian relief, public safety and order, and the 
maintenance of essential civic works resources.
    NATO continues formally to review KFOR's mission at 6-month 
intervals. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current force 
levels, future requirements, force structure, force reductions, and the 
eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO has adopted the Joint Operational Area 
plan to regionalize and rationalize its force structure in the Balkans. 
The KFOR has transferred full responsibility for public safety and 
policing to the UNMIK international and local police forces in every 
area except Kosovska Mitrovica, where the responsibility is shared due 
to security concerns. The UNMIK international police and local police 
forces have also begun to assume responsibility for guarding patrimonial 
sites and established border-crossing checkpoints.
    The continued deployment of U.S. forces has been undertaken pursuant 
to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as 
Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. I appreciate the continued 
support of the Congress in these actions.
     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. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.