[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 51 (Monday, December 25, 2006)]
[Pages 2174-2177]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Reporting on the Deployments of United
States Combat-Equipped Armed Forces Around the World
December 15, 2006
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
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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 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 and are actively
pursuing and engaging remnant al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in
Afghanistan. Approximately 10,400 U.S. personnel also are assigned to
the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. This
number is higher than that stated in the last report because in late
October 2006 additional U.S. forces were reassigned to ISAF. The total
number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is approximately 21,000. 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, 2006,
in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1707 of September 12, 2006. 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. Eleven 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 435 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. In U.N.
Security Council Resolution 1723 of November 28, 2006, the Security
Council extended the MNF mandate until December 31, 2007. Under
Resolutions 1546, 1637, and 1723, the mission of the MNF is to
contribute to security and stability in Iraq, as reconstruction
continues. These contributions have included assisting in building the
capability of the Iraqi security forces and institutions as the Iraqi
people drafted and approved a constitution and established a
constitutionally elected government. The U.S. contribution to the MNF is
approximately 134,000 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. These efforts include the
deployment of U.S. combat-equipped and combat-support forces to assist
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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, 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.
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);
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 24 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
11 percent of KFOR's total strength of approximately 16,000 personnel.
The U.S. forces have been assigned to 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, UNMIK
continues to transfer additional competencies to the Kosovo 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.
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 and 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 100 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
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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
Note: Identical letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
House of Representatives, and Ted Stevens, President pro tempore of the
Senate. This letter was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
December 18.