For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 26, 2006
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
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 deploy ment 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 approxi mately
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 authori-zation 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 constitu
tion and establish a constitutionally elected government. The U.S.
contribution to the MNF is approximately 139,000 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. 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 counter terrorism 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 comman ders.
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
Demilitari zation and Trans formation 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 percent 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 country side; 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 reduc tions, 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.
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
counter terrorism 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
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