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[House Document 107-5]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                     

107th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 107-5

 
 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

January 3, 2001.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, December 18, 2000.
Hon. J. Dennis Hastert,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: In my report to the Congress of June 16, 
2000, I provided information on the 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 my previous report, 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 between NATO and the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY); enforce the terms of the 
understanding with the former Kosovo Liberation Army to 
demilitarize and reintegrate itself into civil society; provide 
demilitarize and reintegrate itself into civil society; provide 
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 5,600 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 20 
others, including Russia, have provided military personnel and 
other support personnel to KFOR in Kosovo and the surrounding 
countries.
    In Kosovo, the U.S. forces are assigned to a sector 
principally centered around 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 75 percent of KFOR soldiers are dedicated to 
patrolling, manning check-points, and mounting border and 
boundary patrols. The KFOR forces operate under NATO command 
and control and rules of engagement.
    Since my report to the Congress of June 16, free and fair 
municipal elections have been held in Kosovo, electing 
municipal assemblies in 27 Albanian-majority municipalities. In 
addition, on October 5, former FRY President Slobodon Milosevic 
stepped down from the presidency in the midst of popular outcry 
after he was defeated in the September FRY presidential 
elections. Despite the progress of democracy in Kosovo and the 
FRY, ethnic tensions persist. The United States is actively 
engaged with our allies in Kosovo and leaders in the region to 
stop ethnic violence.
    The UNMIK continues to make progress in establishing the 
necessary structures for provisional self-government in Kosovo. 
The KFOR supports UNMIK at all levels, including public 
administration, and is represented at the Kosovo Transitional 
Council and the Joint Civil Commissions. Also, KFOR provides a 
security presence in towns, villages, and the countryside, and 
organizes 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 helping to provide assistance, within means and 
capabilities, in the areas of humanitarian relief, 
international civil police training, and the maintenance of 
civic works resources.
    In November, NATO formally reviewed KFOR's mission, and 
will continue to do so at 6-month intervals. The reviews 
provide a basis for assessing current force levels, future 
requirements, force reductions, and the eventual withdrawal of 
KFOR. Over time, KFOR will incrementally transfer its security 
and policing responsibilities to the international civil 
administration, local institutions, and other organizations.
    I have taken these actions 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,
                                                William J. Clinton.

                                
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