[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 33 (Monday, August 18, 2003)]
[Page 1056]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Further Deployment of U.S. 
Military Forces in Liberia

August 13, 2003

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

    In my report to the Congress of June 9, 2003, I provided information 
on the deployment of combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces to Liberia. I am 
providing this additional report, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution, to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on 
U.S. military activities in Liberia.
    Shortly after my initial report, additional U.S. combat-equipped, 
military personnel from the U.S. European Command deployed to Monrovia, 
Liberia, to augment the U.S. Embassy security forces and to aid in the 
evacuation of U.S. citizens from Liberia if required, raising the total 
of such personnel to 56.
    On August 1, 2003, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1497 
was adopted. It authorized member states to establish a Multinational 
Force in Liberia to support the implementation of the June 17, 2003, 
ceasefire, including establishing conditions for initial stages of 
disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration activities; establishing 
security; and securing the environment for the delivery of humanitarian 
assistance and the introduction of a longer term U.N. stabilization 
force. Soon thereafter, approximately 4,350 U.S. military personnel on 
board U.S. warships deployed into the area of operations off the coast 
of Liberia in preparation to assist the Economic Community of West 
African States Mission in Liberia (ECOMIL) forces in the conduct of 
initial humanitarian and stability operations in the vicinity of 
Monrovia, Liberia. On August 11, 2003, these combat-equipped forces 
entered the territorial waters of Liberia timed to coincide with the 
resignation and departure of President Taylor, which was the stated 
prerequisite before deploying U.S. Armed Forces in support of ECOMIL.
    It is anticipated that U.S. forces will redeploy when ECOMIL forces 
have transitioned to the follow-on U.N. stabilization operations.
    I have taken this action 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 informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.
    I appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions in 
Liberia.
     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.