[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 30 (Monday, July 28, 2003)]
[Page 953]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

July 22, 2003

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

    In my report to the Congress of January 21, 2003, 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 1491 of 
July 11, 2003. 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 
tasks 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 
personnel. During the first half of 2003, 17 NATO nations and 11 others 
provided military personnel or other support to SFOR. Most U.S. forces 
in Bosnia and Herzegovina are assigned to Multinational Brigade, North, 
headquartered near the city of Tuzla. 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. 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.