Text 1849, 186 rader
Skriven 2005-12-09 23:33:30 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0512092) for Fri, 2005 Dec 9
===================================================
===========================================================================
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
===========================================================================

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 9, 2005

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
December 7, 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 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 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 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 and are actively pursuing and engaging remnant al
Qaida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. Approximately 280 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, 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 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 500 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, until the completion of Iraq's political
transformation. These contributions have included assisting in building the
capability of the Iraqi security forces and institutions, as the Iraqi
people, represented by the Transitional National Assembly, drafted and
approved a constitution and progressed toward the establishment of a
constitutionally elected government. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is
approximately 160,000 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, 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 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 and Montenegro);
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 25 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 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.

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 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 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 220 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

# # #

===========================================================================
Return to this article at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051209-2.html

 * Origin: (1:3634/12)