The White House Briefing Room

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August 18, 1998

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE

                               THE WHITE HOUSE

                        Office of the Press Secretary
          _________________________________________________________
     For Immediate Release
  August 18, 1998



                     TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
               TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                 AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE



                               August 18, 1998




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

  After receiving credible information of a possible attack against the
  U.S. embassy in Tirana, Albania, similar to the attacks against our
  missions in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, the Department of State authorized
  the draw-down of embassy personnel.  Embassy business is currently
  conducted from the Rilindja Ridge Housing Complex in Tirana, as a new
  embassy building with improved security features is currently
  under--going construction.  The Marine Security Guard detachment at the
  embassy consists of six Marines.

  Consequently, to enhance security at the present site of embassy
  operations, on Sunday, August 16, 1998, at about 12:00 p.m. eastern
  daylight time, a combat-equipped unit consisting of about 200 Marines
  from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit and 10 Navy SEALS was deployed to
  Albania to provide security to the embassy compound at the Rilindja Ridge
  site.  These personnel were deployed from ships that were already in the
  Adriatic Sea region preparing for an amphibious NATO military exercise,
  which was scheduled for August 17-22, 1998.  As of August 17, 1998, all
  personnel from this unit except for 50 Marines have returned to their
  ships to participate in the previously scheduled NATO exercise.   United
  States Armed Forces personnel will continue to augment security at the
  Rilindja Ridge compound until it is determined that the additional
  security support is unnecessary.

  I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional authority to
  conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief
  Executive.

  I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress
  fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.  I appreciate
  the support of the Congress in this action to assist in embassy security
  and the security of American citizens overseas.

                                Sincerely,




                                WILLIAM J. CLINTON




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