[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 21 (Monday, May 30, 2005)]
[Pages 852-854]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Deployment of United States 
Combat-Equipped Armed Forces Around the World

May 20, 2005

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

    I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my 
Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 
93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about 
deployments of U.S. combat-equipped armed forces around the world. This 
supplemental report covers operations in support of the global war on 
terrorism, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Global War on Terrorism

    Since September 24, 2001, I have reported, consistent with Public 
Law 107-40 and the War Powers Resolution, on the combat operations in 
Afghanistan against al-Qaida terrorists and their Taliban supporters, 
which began on October 7, 2001, and the deployment of various combat-
equipped and combat-support forces to a number of locations in the 
Central, Pacific, and Southern Command areas of operation in support of 
those operations and of other operations in our global war on terrorism.
    I will direct additional measures as necessary in the exercise of 
the U.S. 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. It is not possible to know at this time 
either the precise scope or duration of the deployment of U.S. Armed 
Forces necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the United States.
    United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous 
coalition partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign to pursue al-
Qaida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-Qaida.
    These operations have been successful in seriously degrading al-
Qaida's training capabilities. United States Armed Forces, with the 
assistance of numerous coalition partners, ended the Taliban regime in 
Afghanistan and are actively pursuing and engaging remnant al-Qaida and 
Taliban fighters. Approximately 90 U.S. personnel are also assigned to 
the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The 
U.N. Security Council authorized the ISAF in U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1386 of December 20, 2001, and has reaffirmed its 
authorization since that time, most recently, for a 12-month period from 
October 13, 2004, in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1563 of September 
13, 2004. The mission of the ISAF under NATO command is to assist the 
Government of Afghanistan in creating a safe and secure environment that 
allows reconstruction and the reestablishment of Afghan authorities. 
Currently, all 26 NATO nations contribute to the ISAF. Ten non-NATO 
contributing countries also participate by providing military and other 
support personnel to the ISAF.
    The United States continues to detain several hundred 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 U.S. 
Southern Command area of operations since January 2002 continue to 
conduct secure detention operations for the approximately 520 enemy 
combatants at Guantanamo Bay.
    The U.N. Security Council authorized a Multinational Force (MNF) in 
Iraq under unified command in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1511 of 
October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its authorization in U.N. Security 
Council Resolution 1546 of June 8, 2004, noting the Iraqi Interim 
Government's request to retain the presence of the MNF. Under U.N. 
Security Council Resolution 1546, the mission of the MNF is to 
contribute to the security and stability in Iraq, as reconstruction 
continues, until the completion of Iraq's political transformation. 
These contributions include assisting in building the capability of the 
Iraqi security forces and institutions, as the Iraqi people, represented 
by the Transitional National Assembly, draft a constitution and 
establish a constitutionally elected government. The U.S. contribution 
to the MNF is approximately 139,000 military personnel.

[[Page 853]]

    In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a 
continuing and imminent threat to the United States, our friends and 
allies, and our forces abroad, the United States continues to work with 
friends and allies in areas around the globe. United States combat-
equipped and combat-support forces are located in the Horn of Africa 
region, and the U.S. forces headquarters element in Djibouti provides 
command and control support as necessary for military operations against 
al-Qaida and other international terrorists in the Horn of Africa 
region, including Yemen. These forces also assist in enhancing 
counterterrorism capabilities in Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen, Eritrea, and 
Djibouti. In addition, the United States continues to conduct maritime 
interception operations on the high seas in the areas of responsibility 
of all of the geographic combatant commanders. These maritime operations 
have the responsibility to stop the movement, arming, or financing of 
international terrorists.

NATO-Led Kosovo Force (KFOR)

    As noted in previous reports regarding U.S. contributions in support 
of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, 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 (which is now Serbia and 
Montenegro); 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, there are 23 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. Eleven 
non-NATO contributing countries also participate by providing military 
personnel and other support personnel to KFOR. The U.S. contribution to 
KFOR in Kosovo is about 1,700 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 
10 per-cent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 17,000 personnel. 
Additionally, U.S. military personnel occasionally operate from 
Macedonia, Albania, and Greece in support of KFOR operations.

    The U.S. forces have been 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 operates 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.

    In accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244, UNMIK 
continues to transfer additional competencies to the Kosovar Provisional 
Institutions of Self-Government, which includes the President, Prime 
Minister, multiple ministries, and the Kosovo Assembly. The UNMIK 
retains ultimate authority in some sensitive areas such as police, 
justice, and ethnic minority affairs.

    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 UNMIK international police and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) have 
full responsibility for public safety and policing throughout Kosovo 
except in the area of South Mitrovica, where KFOR and UNMIK share this 
responsibility due to security concerns. The UNMIK international police 
and KPS also have begun to assume responsibility for guarding 
patrimonial sites and established border-crossing checkpoints. The KFOR 
augments security in particularly sensitive areas or in response to 
particular threats as needed.

[[Page 854]]

NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Pursuant to the June 2004 decision made by NATO Heads of State and 
Government, and in accordance with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1575 
of November 22, 2004, NATO concluded its Stabilization Force (SFOR) 
operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and established NATO Headquarters-
Sarajevo to continue to assist in implementing the Peace Agreement in 
conjunction with a newly established European Force (EUFOR). NATO 
Headquarters-Sarajevo, to which approximately 235 U.S. personnel are 
assigned, is, with EUFOR, the legal successor to SFOR. The principal 
tasks of NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo are providing advice on defense 
reform and performing operational supporting tasks, such as 
counterterrorism and supporting the International Criminal Tribunal for 
the Former Yugoslavia.
    I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of 
these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. 
foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. 
Officials of my Administration and I communicate regularly with the 
leadership and other Members of Congress with regard to these 
deployments, and we will continue to do so.
    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 item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.