For Immediate Release
November 14, 2003
Letter from the President
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
In my report to the Congress of May 14, 2003, I provided
information regarding the continued deployment of combat-equipped U.S.
military personnel as the U.S. contribution to the NATO-led
international security force in Kosovo (KFOR) and to other countries in
the region in support of that force. I am providing this supplemental
report prepared by my Administration, consistent with the War Powers
Resolution (Public Law 93-148), to help ensure that the Congress is
kept fully informed on continued U.S. contributions in support of
peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo.
As noted in previous reports, 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 (MTA) between NATO and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
(FRY) (which is now the Union of 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 17 NATO nations contributing to KFOR. The
U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is about 2,100 U.S. military
personnel, or approximately 11 percent of KFOR's total strength.
Additionally, U.S. military personnel occasionally operate from
Macedonia, Albania, and Greece in support of KFOR operations.
Seventeen non-NATO contributing countries also participate with NATO
forces in providing military personnel and other support personnel to
KFOR.
The U.S. forces are 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 forces operate 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.
The UNMIK continues to transfer non-reserved competencies under the
Constitutional Framework document to the Kosovar Provisional
Institutions of Self-Government (PISG). The PISG includes the
President, Prime Minister and Kosovo Assembly, and has been in place
since March 2002. Municipal elections were successfully held for a
second time in October 2002.
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. KFOR has transferred full responsibility for public safety
and policing to UNMIK international and local police forces throughout
Kosovo except in the area of Mitrovica, where the responsibility is
shared due to security concerns. The UNMIK international police and
local police forces have also begun to assume responsibility for
guarding patrimonial sites and established border-crossing
checkpoints.
The continued deployment of U.S. forces has been undertaken
pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign
relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. I appreciate
the continued support of the Congress in these actions.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
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