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[House Document 106-288]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                     

106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 106-288

 
       PERIODIC REPORT ON THE U.S. MILITARY FORCE IN EAST TIMOR

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

 A PERIODIC REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION, ON THE 
  U.S. MILITARY FORCES SUPPORTING THE INTERNATIONAL FORCE EAST TIMOR 
                               (INTERFET)

    September 6, 2000.--Referred to the Committee on International 
                  Relations and ordered to be printed

                                           The White House,
                                       Washington, August 25, 2000.

Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.

    Dear Mr. Speaker: On October 8, 1999, I reported to the 
Congress, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, the 
deployment of a limited number of U.S. military forces to 
provide support to the International Force East Timor 
(INTERFET). This multinational force, established by United 
Nations Security Council Resolution 1264, was given a mandate 
to restore peace and security in East Timor, protect and 
support the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), and, 
within force capabilities, facilitate humanitarian assistance 
operations. The U.S. support to INTERFET consisted of planning 
and staff, communications, humanitarian, intelligence, and 
logistics support (including theater and strategic lift).
    The INTERFET was formally replaced in East Timor on 
February 23, 2000, by the United Nations Transitional 
Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). Consequently, the U.S. 
personnel who were the subject of my October 8, 1999, report 
redeployed from East Timor. The UNTAET, which was established 
by Security Council Resolution 1272, has a mandate that 
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. To implement this plan, the Security Council 
authorized UNTAET to deploy up to 8,950 military personnel, 200 
military observers, and 1,640 civilian police.
    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. During June and July 2000, the U.S. contribution to 
UNTAET also included one judge advocate officer.
    As I reported to the Congress on February 25, 2000, the 
United States also maintains a credible and visible military 
presence in East Timor that is separate from UNTAET. This 
military presence consists of the U.S. Support Group East Timor 
(USGET), comprised of approximately 30 U.S. personnel who 
facilitate and coordinate U.S. military activities in East 
Timor, and the rotational presence of U.S. forces through 
temporary deployments to East Timor. These rotational presence 
operations include periodic ship visits during which U.S. 
forces conduct humanitarian and civic assistance activities in 
areas critical to East Timor's citizens. United States forces, 
whether assigned to USGET or 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 to, 
and engagement activities in, East Timor and supports the 
continued U.S. presence there.
    At this point, our rotational presence operations are 
envisioned to continue through December 2000. Future rotational 
presence operations will likely include rotation of naval 
assets and embarked aircraft, and small medical/dental and 
engineering civic action programs. Certain of these forces will 
be equipped with the normal complement of defensive weapons. 
The duration of our support depends upon the course of events 
in East Timor. At present, it is my intention to continue 
operations generally at the current levels to the end of the 
calendar year. It is, however, our objective to reduce the 
rotational presence operations, as well as to redeploy USGET as 
soon as circumstances permit.
    I have taken 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, consistent 
with the War Powers Resolution. I appreciate the support of the 
Congress in this action.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                
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