U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

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99–011 2002

107th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 107–184

A REPORT REGARDING FORCES IN EAST TIMOR

COMMUNICATION

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

TRANSMITTING

A REPORT CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION

REGARDING U.S. ARMED FORCES IN EAST TIMOR

FEBRUARY 28, 2002.—Referred to the Committee on International

Relations and ordered to be printed

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THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, February 28, 2002.

Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT,

Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: In my report to the Congress of August 31,

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 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 (USGET0), comprised of approximately 10

U.S. personnel, 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 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 benefited greatly from U.S. military

deployments to and engagement activities in East Timor. The

United Nations, East Timor, and Australia strongly support a continued U.S. presence.

At this point, we plan to continue our rotational presence operations through 2002. The U.S. objective is to gradually reduce the

rotational presence operations, as well as to redeploy USGET, as

circumstances permit.

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, conVerDate 11-MAY-2000 06:42 Mar 01, 2002 Jkt 099011 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 E:\HR\OC\HD184.XXX pfrm09 PsN: HD184
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sistent with the War Powers Resolution. I appreciate the support

of the Congress in this action.

Sincerely,

GEORGE W. BUSH.

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