110th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document
110-122
A SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS
RESOLUTION
__________
COMMUNICATION
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
A SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS
RESOLUTION, TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED ON
U.S. MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR ON TERROR AND IN KOSOVO,
PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148
June 17, 2008.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and
ordered to be printed
The White House,
Washington, June 13, 2008.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: 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 combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces around the
world. This supplemental report covers operations in support of
the war on terror and in Kosovo.
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, European, 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
the precise scope or the 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 time and are actively pursuing and engaging
remnant al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. The total
number forces in Afghanistan is approximately 31,122, of which
approximately 14,275 are assigned to the International Security
Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The U.N. Security
Council authorized 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, 2007, in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1776 of
September 19, 2007. The mission of ISAF under NATO command is
to assist the Government of Afghanistan in creating a safe and
secure environment that allows for continued reconstruction and
the and exercise and extension of Afghan authority. Currently,
more than 40 nations contribute to ISAF, including all 26 NATO
Allies.
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 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, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1637 of November 8,
2005, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 of November 28,
2006, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 of December 18,
2007, set to expire on December 31, 2008. Under Resolutions
1546, 1637, 1723, and 1790, the mission of the MNF is to
contribute to security and stability in Iraq. 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 fluctuates over time, depending on the
conditions in theater as determined by the commanders on the
ground; the current U.S. contribution to the MNF is
approximately 155,230 U.S. military personnel.
In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a
continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its
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 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.
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 original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, and
when necessary, to enforce compliance with the Military
Technical Agreement between NATO and Serbia (formerly the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), while maintaining a safe and
secure environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities and,
with local authorities and international police, contributes to
the maintenance of a safe and secure environment that
facilitates the work of the United Nations Interim
Administrative Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the European Union
(EU)-led International Civilian Office, and the evolving EU
Rule of Law Mission (EULEX).
Currently, there are 25 NATO nations contributing to KFOR.
Eight non-NATO contributing countries also participate by
providing military and other support personnel to KFOR. The
U.S. contribution to KFOR is about 1,500 U.S. military
personnel, or approximately 9 percent of KFOR's total strength
of approximately 16,000 personnel.
The U.S. forces participating in KFOR have been assigned to
the eastern region of Kosovo, but also have operated in other
areas of the country based on mission, requirements. For U.S.
KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, helping to maintain a safe
and secure environment remains the principal military task. The
KFOR operates under NATO command and control and rules of
engagement. The KFOR currently coordinates with and supports
UNMIK within means and capabilities and, pending decision by
the North Atlantic Council, may offer this same cooperation to
EULEX. The KFOR provides a security presence in towns,
villages, and the country- side and organizes checkpoints and
patrols in key areas to provide security, to protect all
elements of the population living in Kosovo, and to instill a
feeling of confidence in all ethnic communities throughout
Kosovo.
NATO continues periodically to conduct a formal review of
KFOR's mission. These reviews provide a basis for assessing
current force levels, future requirements, force structure,
force reductions, and the eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO
adopted the Joint Operations Area plan to regionalize and
rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
The UNMIK international police and Kosovo Police Service
(KPS) have primary responsibility for public safety and
policing throughout Kosovo. The UNMIK international police and
KPS also have assumed responsibility for guarding some
patrimonial sites and operating border crossings. The KFOR
supports these police forces when requested and augments
security in particularly sensitive areas or in response to
particular threats as events on the ground dictate. The
relationship among UNMIK police, EULEX, KPS, and the Government
of Kosovo will likely be adjusted after June 15, 2008, when the
constitution of the Republic of Kosovo comes into force.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in
all of these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority
to conduct the foreign relations of the United States 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.
