Text 49, 198 rader
Skriven 2004-11-04 23:35:04 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (041104h) for Thu, 2004 Nov 4
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Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 4, 2004

Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
November 4, 2004



Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

I am providing this consolidated supplemental 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.

On March 21, 2003, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, I reported
that I had directed U.S. Armed Forces, operating with other coalition
forces, to commence combat operations on March 19, 2003, against Iraq.
Thereafter, I included information regarding the deployment of U.S. forces
in Iraq in reports on Iraq to the Congress under Public Laws 107-243 and
102-1, as amended. On July 2, 2004, I delegated to the Secretary of State
the authority to make these detailed reports on Iraq, but I am including
information about the deployment of U.S. forces in Iraq in this
consolidated war powers report.

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 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 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 deploy-ments 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 duration
of combat operations or the precise scope and 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
seriously degraded 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
al-Qaida and remnant Taliban fighters. United States forces also have
supported the International Security Assistance Force in providing security
in connection with the Afghan elections.

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 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 authoriza-tion 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. The mission of the MNF is to
contribute to security and stability in Iraq, including by assisting in
building the capability of Iraqi security forces and institutions, as the
Iraqi people plan democratic elections and as reconstruction continues. The
U.S. contribution to the MNF is more than 135,000 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 world. U.S. 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 counterterrorism 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 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 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 1,800 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 10 percent of KFOR's
total strength of approximately 18,000 personnel. In addition, 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 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, the 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 Mitrovica, where the 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 often augments security
in particularly sensitive areas or in response to particular threats.

NATO-LED STABILIZATION FORCE IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA (SFOR)

Regarding U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, the U.N. Security Council authorized, in U.N. Security
Council Resolution 1551 of July 9, 2004, Member States to continue SFOR for
an additional period of 6 months in anticipation of the conclusion of
SFOR's operations, and the commencement of a European Union (EU) mission,
including a military component, in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the end of
2004. The mission of SFOR is to provide a deterrent presence to help
stabilize and consolidate the peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contribute
to a secure environment, and perform key supporting tasks including support
to the international civil presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is
approximately 1,000 personnel. United States personnel comprise
approximately 12 percent of the approximately 8,500 personnel assigned to
SFOR. Currently, 20 NATO nations and 8 others provide military personnel or
other support to SFOR. Most U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina are
assigned to Multinational Task Force, North, headquartered near the city of
Tuzla. United States forces continue to support SFOR efforts to apprehend
persons indicted for war crimes and to conduct counterterrorism operations.

In June 2004 at the Istanbul Summit, NATO Heads of State and Government
welcomed the offer of the EU to establish a new and separate mission in
Bosnia, including a military component, and decided to establish a new NATO
Headquarters in Sarajevo at the end of SFOR's operations. This NATO
Headquarters, to which U.S. forces will be assigned, will have the
principal task of providing advice on defense reform. The NATO headquarters
also will undertake certain supporting operational tasks, including
counterterrorism and supporting the International Criminal Tribunal for the
Former Yugoslavia with regard to the detention of persons indicted for war
crimes.

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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