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Skriven 2005-05-20 23:33:02 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0505208) for Fri, 2005 May 20
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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
May 20, 2005

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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