[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 50 (Monday, December 22, 2008)]
[Pages 1540-1542]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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

December 16, 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 U.S. combat-equipped 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, Southern, and Africa 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 31,000, of which approximately 13,000 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, 2008, in 
U.N. Security Council Resolution 1833 of September 22, 2008. 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 
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, but 
have not been limited to, assisting in building the capability of the 
Iraqi security forces, supporting the development of Iraq's political 
institutions, improving local governance, enhancing ministerial 
capacity, and providing critical humanitarian and reconstruction 
assistance to the Iraqis. The U.S. contribution to the MNF fluctuates 
over time depending on the conditions in theater as determined

[[Page 1541]]

by the commanders on the ground; the current U.S. contribution to the 
MNF is approximately 152,035 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, to 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, 25 NATO nations contribute to KFOR. Eight non-NATO 
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 15,500 personnel.
    The U.S. participating forces 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 has provided similar 
assurances of 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 help 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 sensitive areas or in response to particular threats as 
events on the ground dictate.
    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

[[Page 1542]]

Note: Identical letters were sent to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House 
of Representatives, and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of the 
Senate.