[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 12 (Monday, March 24, 2003)]
[Pages 346-347]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on United States Efforts in 
the Global War on Terrorism

March 20, 2003

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

    On September 24, 2001, I reported the deployment of various combat-
equipped and combat support forces to a number of locations in the 
Central and Pacific Command areas of operation. On October 9, 2001, I 
reported the beginning of combat action in Afghanistan against 
terrorists and their Taliban supporters. In my reports to the Congress 
of March 20 and September 20, 2002, I provided supplemental information 
on the deployment of combat-equipped and combat support forces to a 
number of foreign nations in the Central and Pacific Command areas of 
operations and other areas. As a part of my efforts to keep the Congress 
informed, I am reporting further on United States efforts in the global 
war on terrorism.
    Our efforts in Afghanistan have met with success, but as I have 
stated in my previous reports, the U.S. campaign against terrorism will 
be lengthy. To date, U.S. Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous 
coalition partners, have executed a superb campaign to eliminate the 
primary source of support to the terrorists who viciously attacked our 
Nation on September 11, 2001. The heart of al-Qaida's training 
capability has been seriously degraded. The Taliban's ability to 
brutalize the Afghan people and to harbor and support terrorists has 
been virtually eliminated. Pockets of al-Qaida and Taliban forces remain 
a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and to the Afghan government. What 
is left of both the Taliban and the al-Qaida fighters is being pursued 
actively and engaged by U.S. and coalition forces. Additionally, 
training missions and combat operations with Pakistani special forces 
are ongoing near the Afghan/Pakistan border.
    Due to our success in Afghanistan, we have detained hundreds of al-
Qaida and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a continuing threat 
to the United States and its interests. The combat-equipped and combat 
support forces deployed to Naval Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the 
Southern Command area of operations since January 2002, continue to 
conduct secure detention operations. We currently hold more than 600 
enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay. All are being treated humanely and, 
to the extent appropriate and consistent with military necessity, in a 
manner consistent with the principles of the Geneva Conventions of 1949.
    In furtherance of our worldwide efforts against terrorists who pose 
a continuing and imminent threat to the United States, our

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friends and allies, and our forces abroad, we continue operations in 
other areas around the globe. Our relationship with the Government and 
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) developed and matured throughout 
2002. Last year's actions from February to July 2002 on Basilan Island, 
with AFP in command and with U.S. forces in a support role, helped to 
drive hundreds of Abu Sayyaf Group terrorists from the island, restoring 
order and reestablishing government services. To ensure that the AFP has 
the skills to fight terrorism over the long term, we have a robust 
security assistance training program and a variety of exercises that 
will provide the AFP much needed counter-terrorism training and 
equipment. There are approximately 300 combat-equipped and combat 
support U.S. military personnel working with the AFP and U.S. forces 
continue to plan with the AFP for possible future activities. Continued 
U.S. support is warranted as the Government of the Philippines has 
provided unwavering support in the global war on terrorism.
    Additionally, we continue to conduct maritime interception 
operations on the high seas in the Central and European Command areas of 
responsibility to prevent the movement, arming, or financing of 
international terrorists who pose a continuing threat to the United 
States.
    Combat-equipped and combat support forces also have been deployed to 
Georgia and Yemen to assist the armed forces of those countries in 
enhancing their counter-terrorism capabilities, including by training 
and equipping their armed forces. Similar U.S. forces have deployed to 
Djibouti to command and control operations and other activities as 
necessary against al-Qaida and other international terrorists in the 
Horn of Africa region. These activities include providing oversight for 
urban and maritime counter-terrorism training with the Yemen special 
operations forces. We continue to assess options for working with other 
nations to assist them in this respect.
    I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional authority 
to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief 
Executive. In addition, these actions are consistent with Public Law 
107-40. As I stated in my previous reports, it is not possible to know 
at this time either the duration of combat operations or the scope and 
duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to counter the 
terrorist threat to the United States. I will direct additional measures 
as necessary to exercise our right to self-defense and to protect U.S. 
citizens and interests. Such measures may include short notice 
deployments of special operations and other forces for sensitive 
operations in various locations throughout the world.
    I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the 
Congress informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution and Public 
Law 107-40. Officials of my Administration and I have been communicating 
regularly with the leadership and other Members of Congress, and we will 
continue to do so. I appreciate the continuing support of the Congress 
in our efforts to protect the security of the United States of America 
and its citizens, civilian and military, here and abroad.
     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. An original was not available for verification of the content of 
this letter.