U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

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89–011 2001

107th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 107–74

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

MAY 22, 2001.—Referred to the Committee on International Relations and

ordered to be printed

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THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, May 18, 2001.

Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT,

Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: On December 18, 2000, then-President Clinton provided a report to the Congress 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, 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.

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 6,000 U.S. military personnel. An additional 500 U.S. military personnel are deployed as the National Support Element in

Macedonia, with an occasional presence in Albania and Greece. In

the last 6 months, all 19 NATO nations and 21 others, including

Russia, have provided military personnel and other support personnel to KFOR in Kosovo and other countries in the region.

In Kosovo, 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 79 percent of KFOR

soldiers 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, including through the recent promulgation of the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self Government and preparations for Kosovo-wide elections. The KFOR coordinates with and

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supports UNMIK at most levels, and is represented at the Kosovo

Transitional Council and the Joint Civil Commissions. Also, KFOR

support includes providing a security presence in towns, villages,

and the countryside, and organizing 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. Finally, KFOR 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. The conclusions reached as a result of the ongoing 6-

month review, which is scheduled to be completed by late May, will

be presented to the NATO foreign and defense ministers’ meeting,

which will be held in late May and early June. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current force levels, future requirements,

force structure, force reductions, and the eventual withdrawal of

KFOR. The KFOR has transferred responsibility for its public safety and policing responsibilities to the UNMIK international and

local police forces in every area except Kosovska Mitrovica and Pec.

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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