[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 50 (Monday, December 17, 2007)]
[Pages 1592-1594]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

December 14, 2007

Dear Madam 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 
and Kosovo.

[[Page 1593]]

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, European, 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 
the precise scope or the 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 and are actively 
pursuing and engaging remnant al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in 
Afghanistan. The total number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is 
approximately 25,900, of which approximately 15,180 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 from October 13, 2007, 
in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1776 of September 19, 2007. The 
mission of the ISAF under NATO command is to assist the Government of 
Afghanistan in creating a safe and secure environment that allows for 
continued reconstruction and the exercise and extension of Afghan 
authority. Currently, 37 nations contribute military and other support 
personnel to the ISAF, including all 26 NATO nations.
    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 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, U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1637 of November 8, 2005, and U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1723 of November 28, 2006, set to expire on December 31, 
2007. Under Resolutions 1546, 1637, and 1723, the mission of the MNF is 
to contribute to security and stability in Iraq. 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 fluctuates over time depending on the 
conditions in theater as determined by the commanders on the ground; the 
U.S. contribution to the MNF is approximately 159,529 U.S. military 
personnel.
    In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a 
continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its 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 counter-terrorism capabilities of our friends and 
allies. United States combat-equipped and combat-support forces also 
continue to be located in the Horn of Africa region.
    In addition, the United States continues to conduct maritime 
interception operations on the high seas in the areas of responsibility

[[Page 1594]]

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 original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, and when 
necessary, enforce compliance with the Military Technical Agreement 
(MTA) between NATO and Serbia (formerly the Federal Republic of 
Yugoslavia), while maintaining a safe and secure environment. Today, 
KFOR deters renewed hostilities and, with local authorities and 
international police, contributes to the maintenance of a safe and 
secure environment that facilitates the work of the United Nations 
Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).
    Currently, there are 24 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. Ten 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 1,498 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 
10 percent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 15,251 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 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, to protect 
minorities, to resolve disputes, and to 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 Kosovo 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 formally continues 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.
    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 Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and Richard B. Cheney, President of the Senate.