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89–011 2001

107th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 107–115

REPORT ON THE U.S. ARMED FORCES IN EAST TIMOR

COMMUNICATION

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

TRANSMITTING

A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS

RESOLUTION, REGARDING U.S. ARMED FORCES IN EAST TIMOR

SEPTEMBER 5, 2001.—Referred to the Committee on International

Relations and ordered to be printed

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THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, August 31, 2001.

Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT,

Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: In my report to the Congress of March 2,

2001, I provided information regarding the continued deployment

of U.S. Armed Forces in support of East Timor’s transition to independence. I am providing this supplemental report, consistent with

the War Powers Resolution, to help ensure that the Congress is

kept fully informed regarding U.S. Armed Forces in East Timor.

As you are aware, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1272 established the United Nations Transitional Administration in East

Timor (UNTAET) on October 25, 1999. The UNTAET’s mandate includes providing security and maintaining law and order throughout East Timor, establishing an effective administration, ensuring

the coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance, and supporting capacity-building for self-government. The United States

currently contributes three military observers to UNTAET. These

personnel are assigned to the United Nations pursuant to the

United Nations Participation Act (Public Law 79–264) and operate

under U.N. operational control.

The United States also maintains a military presence in East

Timor that is separate from UNTAET. This includes the U.S. Support Group East Timor (USGET), comprised of approximately 20

U.S. personnel, including a security detachment, which facilitates

and coordinates U.S. military activities in East Timor, and a rotational presence of U.S. forces through temporary deployments to

East Timor. These rotational presence operations include monthly

U.S. Navy ship visits, and deployments of military medical and engineering teams that conduct humanitarian and civic assistance activities in areas critical to East Timor’s citizens. United States

forces assigned to USGET and those conducting rotational presence

operations operate under U.S. command and control and U.S. rules

of engagement. The United Nations, and Australia as a leading

contributor to UNTAET, have indicated that East Timor has benefitted greatly from U.S. military deployments to and engagement

activities in East Timor. Both the United Nations and Australia

strongly support continued U.S. presence in East Timor.

At this point, U.S. rotational presence operations are envisioned

to continue through December 2001. We are reviewing options for

our military presence in 2002. My objective is to reduce the rotational presence operations, as well as to redeploy USGET, as circumstances permit, giving due regard to the situation on the

ground and the views of our friends and allies in the region, including Australia.

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I have authorized the continuation of 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.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH.

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