[House Document 108-231]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
108th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-231
REPORT ON THE STATUS OF UNITED STATES EFFORTS IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON
TERRORISM
__________
COMMUNICATION
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
A REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, PUBLIC LAW 107-
243, AND PUBLIC LAW 102-1, TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT
INFORMED ON THE STATUS OF UNITED STATES EFFORTS IN THE GLOBAL WAR ON
TERRORISM
November 16, 2004.--Referred to the Committee on International
Relations and ordered to be printed
The White House,
Washington, November 4, 2004.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Speaker: 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
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
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
authorization 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.