[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 4 (Monday, January 27, 2003)]
[Pages 94-95]
[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

January 21, 2003

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

    In my report to the Congress of July 22, 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.
    The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is 
approximately 1,800 personnel. United States personnel comprise 
approximately 15 percent of the total SFOR force of approximately 12,000

[[Page 95]]

personnel. During the second 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 Brigade, 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 
80 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 and to conduct 
counter-terrorism operations. 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 Ted Stevens, President pro tempore of the 
Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
January 22.