[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 24 (Monday, June 23, 2008)]
[Pages 843-845]
[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
June 13, 2008
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 combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces around the world. This
supplemental report covers operations in support of the war on terror
and in Kosovo.
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 right of the United States 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 31,122, of which approximately 14,276 are assigned to the
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The U.N.
Security Council authorized 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 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, more than 40 nations contribute to ISAF, including all 26
NATO Allies.
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, U.N. Security Council Resolution
1723 of November 28, 2006, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 of
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December 18, 2007, set to expire on December 31, 2008. Under Resolutions
1546, 1637, 1723, and 1790, 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 current U.S.
contribution to the MNF is approximately 155,230 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 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.
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 original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, and when
necessary, to enforce compliance with the Military Technical Agreement
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 Interim Administrative
Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the European Union (EU)-led International
Civilian Office, and the evolving EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX).
Currently, there are 25 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. Eight
non-NATO contributing countries also participate by providing military
and other support personnel to KFOR. The U.S. contribution to KFOR is
about 1,500 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 9 percent of
KFOR's total strength of approximately 16,000 personnel.
The U.S. forces participating in KFOR have been assigned to the
eastern region of Kosovo, but also have operated in other areas of the
country based on mission requirements. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR
generally, helping to maintain a safe and secure environment remains the
principal military task. The KFOR operates under NATO command and
control and rules of engagement. The KFOR currently coordinates with and
supports UNMIK within means and capabilities and, pending decision by
the North Atlantic Council, may offer this same cooperation to EULEX.
The KFOR provides a security presence in towns, villages, and the
country-side and organizes checkpoints and patrols in key areas to
provide security, to protect all elements of the population living in
Kosovo, and to instill a feeling of confidence in all ethnic communities
throughout Kosovo.
NATO continues periodically to conduct a formal review of KFOR's
mission. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current force
levels, future requirements, force structure, force reductions, and the
eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO adopted the Joint Operations Area plan
to regionalize and rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
The UNMIK international police and Kosovo Police Service (KPS) have
primary responsibility for public safety and policing throughout Kosovo.
The UNMIK international police and KPS also have assumed responsibility
for guarding some patrimonial sites and operating border crossings. The
KFOR supports these police forces when requested and augments security
in particularly
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sensitive areas or in response to particular threats as events on the
ground dictate. The relationship among UNMIK police, EULEX, KPS, and the
Government of Kosovo will likely be adjusted after June 15, 2008, when
the constitution of the Republic of Kosovo comes into force.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of
these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the
foreign relations of the United States 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. This
letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on June 14.