[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 24 (Monday, June 19, 2006)]
[Pages 1160-1162]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on Deployments of United
States Combat-Equipped Armed Forces Around the World
June 15, 2006
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 war on terror,
Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The War on Terror
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 war on terror.
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 in Combined Forces Command, Afghanistan,
ended the Taliban regime and are actively pursuing and engaging remnant
al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. Approximately 200 U.S.
personnel also are 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 beginning October 13, 2005, in U.N. Security Council
Resolution 1623 of September 13, 2005. 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
[[Page 1161]]
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 460 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. In U.N. Security Council
Resolution 1637 of November 8, 2005, the Security Council, noting the
Iraqi government's request to retain the presence of the MNF, extended
the MNF mandate for a period ending on December 31, 2006. Under
Resolutions 1546 and 1637, the mission of the MNF is to contribute to
security and stability in Iraq, as reconstruction continues. These
contributions have included assisting in building the capability of the
Iraqi security forces and institutions as the Iraqi people drafted and
approved a constitution and established a constitutionally elected
government. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is approximately 131,000
military personnel.
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. These efforts include the
deployment of U.S. combat-equipped and combat-support forces to assist
in enhancing the counterterrorism capabilities of our friends and
allies. United States combat-equipped and combat-support forces continue
to be 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 in
Yemen. 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);
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 24 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
11 percent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 16,000 personnel.
The U.S. forces have been assigned to 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 the 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.
[[Page 1162]]
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.
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.
NATO Headquarters 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 operations
in Bosnia-Herzegovina and established NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo to
continue to assist in implementing the Peace Agreement in conjunction
with a newly established European Force. The NATO Headquarters-Sarajevo,
to which approximately 250 U.S. personnel are assigned, is, with the
European Force, 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 Richard B. Cheney, President of the
Senate.