U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

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99–011 2002

107th Congress, 2d Session – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 107–217

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 20, 2002.—Referred to the Committee on International Relations and

ordered to be printed

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THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, May 17, 2002.

Hon. J. DENNIS HASTERT,

Speaker of the House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. SPEAKER: In my report to the Congress of November

18, 2001, 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 5,100 U.S. military personnel. An additional 468 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 19 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

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, including the adoption of the Constitutional Framework for

Provisional Self-Government and successful Kosovo-wide elections

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on November 17, 2001. The KFOR coordinates with and supports

UNMIK at most levels and is represented at the Joint Implementation Commission. 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. Intensified, robust KFOR patrolling on

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

in Macedonia. At the same time, 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. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current force

levels, future requirements, force structure, force reductions, and

the eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO is considering plans to

regionalize and rationalize its force structure in the Balkans, including Kosovo. Any changes in KFOR should be announced at the

NATO Defense Ministerial meeting later this month. The KFOR

has transferred full responsibility for public safety and policing to

the UNMIK international and local police forces in every area except Kosovska Mitrovica, where the responsibility is shared due to

security concerns.

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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