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[House Document 111-79]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

111th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 111-79

 
   SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS 
 RESOLUTION, TO KEEP CONGRESS INFORMED ABOUT THE GLOBAL DEPLOYMENTS OF 
                 U.S. ARMED FORCES EQUIPPED FOR COMBAT

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

  A SUPPLEMENTAL CONSOLIDATED REPORT, CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR POWERS 
RESOLUTION, TO HELP ENSURE THAT THE CONGRESS IS KEPT FULLY INFORMED ON 
 U.S. MILITARY ACTIVITIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR ON TERROR AND KOSOVO, 
                       PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148

 December 19, 2009.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed

                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, December 16, 2009.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Madam Speaker: I am providing this supplemental 
consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and 
consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), 
as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about 
global deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat. 
This supplemental report covers ongoing U.S. contingency 
operations overseas.
    Since October 7, 2001, the United States has conducted 
combat operations in Afghanistan against al-Qa'ida terrorists 
and their Taliban supporters, and has deployed various combat-
equipped forces to a number of locations in the Central, 
Pacific, European, Southern, and Africa Command areas of 
operation in support of those and other overseas operations. 
These operations and deployments remain ongoing and were 
previously reported consistent with Public Law 107-40 and the 
War Powers Resolution.
    In response to the terrorist threat, I will direct 
additional measures, as necessary, in the exercise of the right 
of the United States to self-defense and to protect U.S. 
citizens and interests. Such measures may include short-notice 
deployments of special operations and other forces for 
sensitive operations in various locations throughout the world. 
It is not possible to know at this time the precise scope or 
the duration of the deployments of U.S. Armed Forces necessary 
to counter the terrorist threat to the United States.
    United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous 
international partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign 
to pursue al-Qa'ida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-
Qa'ida. These operations have been successful in seriously 
degrading al-Qa'ida's capabilities. United States Armed Forces, 
with the assistance of numerous international partners, brought 
an end to the Taliban's leadership of Afghanistan. Our forces 
are actively pursuing and engaging remaining al-Qa'ida and 
Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. The total number of U.S. 
forces in Afghanistan is approximately 68,000, of which over 
34,000 are assigned to the International Security Assistance 
Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The U.N. Security Council 
authorized ISAF in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1386 on 
December 20, 2001, and has reaffirmed its authorization since 
that time, most recently for a 12-month period from October 13, 
2009, in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1890 on October 8, 
2009. The mission of ISAF, under NATO command and in 
partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of 
Afghanistan, is to conduct population-centric counterinsurgency 
operations, enable expanded and effective Afghan National 
Security Forces, and support improved governance and 
development in order to protect the Afghan people and provide a 
secure environment for sustainable security. Presently, 43 
nations contribute to ISAF, including all 28 NATO Allies.
    The United States continues to detain several hundred al-
Qa'ida and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a 
continuing threat to the United States and its interests. The 
combat-equipped forces deployed since January 2002 to Naval 
Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S. Southern Command area 
of operation, continue to conduct secure detention operations 
for the approximately 230 detainees at Guantanamo Bay under 
Public Law 107-40 and consistent with principles of the law of 
war.
    The U.N. Security Council authorized a Multinational Force 
(MNF) in Iraq, under unified command, in U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1511 on October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its 
authorization in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 on June 
8, 2004, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1637 on November 8, 
2005, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 on November 28, 
2006, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 on December 18, 
2007; the authorization was not renewed in 2009. Since the 
expiration of the authorization and mandate for the MNF in U.N. 
Security Council Resolution 1790 on December 31, 2008, U.S. 
forces have continued operations to support Iraq in its efforts 
to maintain security and stability in Iraq pursuant to the 
bilateral Agreement Between the United States of America and 
the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United States Forces 
from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities during Their 
Temporary Presence in Iraq, which entered into force on January 
1, 2009. These contributions have included, but have not been 
limited to, assisting in building the capability of the Iraqi 
security forces, supporting the development of Iraq's political 
institutions, improving local governance, enhancing ministerial 
capacity, and providing critical humanitarian and 
reconstruction assistance to the Iraqis. The United States 
contribution of forces to the Iraq mission fluctuates over 
time, depending on the conditions in theater as determined by 
the commanders on the ground; the present U.S. contribution is 
approximately 116,000 U.S. military personnel.
    In furtherance of U.S. efforts against terrorists who pose 
a continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its 
friends, its allies, and our forces abroad, the United States 
continues to work with partners around the globe. These efforts 
include the deployment of U.S. combat-equipped forces to assist 
in enhancing the counterterrorism capabilities of our friends 
and allies. United States combat-equipped forces continue to be 
located in the Horn of Africa region.
    In addition, the United States continues to conduct 
maritime interception operations on the high seas in the areas 
of responsibility of all of the geographic combatant commands. 
These maritime operations are aimed at stopping the movement, 
arming, and financing of international terrorists.
    As noted in previous reports regarding U.S. contributions 
in support of peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, the U.N. Security 
Council authorized Member States to establish a NATO-led Kosovo 
Force (KFOR) in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1244 on June 
10, 1999. The original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, 
and, when necessary, enforce compliance with the Military 
Technical Agreement between NATO and the then Federal Republic 
of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), while maintaining a safe and secure 
environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities and, with 
local authorities and international institutions, contributes 
to the maintenance of a safe and secure environment.
    Currently, 24 NATO Allies contribute to KFOR. Eight non-
NATO countries also participate by providing military and other 
support personnel. The United States contribution to KFOR is 
about 1,475 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 11 
percent of the total strength of approximately 12,500 
personnel. The United States forces participating in KFOR have 
been assigned to the eastern region of Kosovo, but also have 
operated in other areas of the country based on mission 
requirements. For U.S. KFOR forces, as for KFOR generally, 
helping to maintain a safe and secure environment and freedom 
of movement remain the principal military tasks. KFOR operates 
under NATO command and control and rules of engagement, and 
coordinates with and supports the European Union (EU)-led 
International Civilian Office and the EU Rule of Law Mission, 
within its means and capabilities. KFOR provides a security 
presence in towns, villages, and the countryside, and organizes 
checkpoints and patrols in key areas to provide security, to 
protect all segments of Kosovo's population, and to help 
instill a feeling of confidence across all ethnic communities 
throughout Kosovo.
    NATO periodically conducts formal reviews of KFOR's 
mission. These reviews provide a basis for assessing current 
force levels, future requirements, and recommendations for 
adjustments to KFOR's force structure and eventual withdrawal. 
NATO adopted the Joint Operations Area plan to regionalize and 
rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
    The Kosovo Police has primary responsibility for public 
safety and policing throughout Kosovo. KFOR also offers as-
needed security assistance in response to civil unrest. KFOR 
augments security in particularly sensitive areas or in 
response to particular threats as events on the ground dictate.
    In January 2009, the Government of Kosovo established the 
Kosovo Security Force (KSF). Separately, the Government of 
Kosovo began the process of dissolving the Kosovo Protection 
Corps (KPC). The KSF is a lightly armed, civilian-led security 
force that provides crisis response, explosive ordnance 
disposal, and civil protection. The newly formed Ministry for 
the Kosovo Security Force provides civilian oversight and 
control for the KSF. KFOR provides technical and policy 
guidance to the KSF and assists with recruiting for new 
members, chairing selection boards that identify former KPC 
members suitable for service in the KSF, supervising NATO 
standard training programs for new recruits, and coordinating 
KSF equipment purchases and donations.
    I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in 
all of these operations pursuant to my constitutional authority 
to conduct the foreign relations of the United States and as 
Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. Officials of my 
Administration and I communicate regularly with the leadership 
and other Members of Congress with regard to these deployments, 
and we will continue to do so.
            Sincerely,
                                                      Barack Obama.

                                  
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