[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 20 (Monday, May 19, 2003)]
[Pages 602-603]
[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

May 14, 2003

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

    In my report to the Congress of November 15, 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 an international 
security presence in order to deter renewed hostilities; verify and, if 
necessary, enforce the terms of the Military Technical Agreement between 
NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; enforce the terms of the 
Undertaking on Demilitarization and Transformation of the former Kosovo 
Liberation Army; 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 about 2,250 
U.S. military personnel, or approximately 9 percent of KFOR's total 
strength. Additionally, U.S. military personnel occasionally operate 
from Macedonia, Albania, and Greece in support of KFOR operations. 
Nineteen non-NATO contributing countries also participate with NATO 
forces in providing military personnel and other support personnel to 
KFOR.
    The U.S. forces are assigned to a sector principally centered around 
Gnjilane in the eastern region of Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for 
KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and secure environment remains the 
primary military task. The KFOR forces operate under NATO command and 
control and rules of engagement. 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 
to provide security, protect minorities, resolve disputes, and help 
instill in the community a feeling of confidence.
    The UNMIK continues to transfer non-reserved competencies under the 
Constitutional Framework document to the Kosovar Provisional 
Institutions of Self-Government (PISG). The PISG includes the President, 
Prime Minister, and Kosovo Assembly, and has been in place since March 
2002. Municipal elections were successfully held for a second time in 
October 2002.
    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 Operations 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 throughout 
Kosovo except in the area of 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 Ted Stevens, President pro tempore of the 
Senate.

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