U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

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89–011 2001

107th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 107–49

REPORT ON THE U.S. ARMED FORCES

IN EAST TIMOR

MESSAGE

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

MARCH 6, 2001.—Message and accompanying papers referred to the

Committee on International Relations and ordered to be printed


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THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, March 2, 2001.

Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT,

Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: On August 25, 2000, President Clinton provided a report to the Congress 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 12

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

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 has indicated that East Timor

has benefited greatly from U.S. military deployments and engagement activities in East Timor and strongly supports the continued

U.S. presence there.

At this point, our rotational presence operations are envisioned

to continue through December 2001. The duration of our support

depends upon the course of events in East Timor. It is, however,

our objective to reduce the rotational presence operations, as well

as to redeploy USGET, as soon 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 23-FEB-2001 04:11 Mar 07, 2001 Jkt 089011 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6633 Sfmt 6633 E:\HR\OC\HD049.XXX pfrm02 PsN: HD049
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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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