U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

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19–011 2002

107th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 107–282

REPORT ON CONTINUED CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUPPORT 

OF PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS IN KOSOVO

COMMUNICATION

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

TRANSMITTING

A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS 

RESOLUTION, TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT 

FULLY INFORMED ON CONTINUED U.S. CONTRIBUTIONS IN SUPPORT OF PEACEKEEPING EFFORTS IN KOSOVO

NOVEMBER 19, 2002.—Referred to the Committee on International 

Relations and ordered to be printed


E:\Seals\Congress.#13
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THE WHITE HOUSE, 

Washington, November 15, 2002. 

Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT, 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, 

Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: In my report to the Congress dated May 17, 

2002, 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 a military 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); enforce the terms of the Undertaking on Demilitarization and Transformation of the former Kosovo Liberation 

Army (KLA); 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, the U.S. contribution to KFOR in Kosovo is approximately 4,350 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 15 percent 

of KFOR’s total strength. An additional 266 U.S. military personnel 

are deployed as the National Support Element in Macedonia, with 

an occasional presence in Albania and Greece. In the past 6 

months, 19 non-NATO contributing countries have joined NATO 

forces in providing military personel and other support personnel 

to KFOR. 

The U.S. forces are assigned to a sector principally centered upon 

Gnjilane in the eastern portion of Kosovo. For U.S. KFOR forces, 

as for KFOR generally, maintaining a safe and secure environment 

remains the primary military task. United States forces conduct security patrols in urban areas and in the countryside throughout 

their sector. Approximately 60 percent of KFOR personnel are dedicated to patrolling, manning checkpoints, and mounting border and 

boundary patrols. The KFOR forces operate under NATO command 

and control and rules of engagement. 

The UNMIK continues to make progress in establishing the necessary structures for provisional democratic self-government in 

Kosovo. The Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, including 

a President, Prime Minister, and Kosovo Assembly, have been in 

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place since March 2002, and municipal elections were successfully 

held for a second time on October 26, 2002. 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 of Kosovo to provide security, protect minorities, resolve disputes, and help instill in the community 

a feeling of confidence. Intensified, robust KFOR patrolling on the 

Macedonia/Kosovo border was a key factor in reducing violence in 

Macedonia and ensuring successful elections. At the same time 

SFOR is supporting, within its means and capabilities, the provision of humanitarian relief, public safety and order, and the maintenance of essential civic works resources. 

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 

Operational Area plan to regionalize and rationalize its force structure in the Balkans. The KFOR has transferred full responsibility 

for public safety and policing to the UNMIK international and local 

police forces in every area except Kosovaska 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 establish 

border-crossing checkpoints. 

The continued deployment of U.S. forces have 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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