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[House Document 110-160]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

110th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 110-160
 
 THE SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT ON OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR ON TERROR 
                             AND IN KOSOVO

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  FROM

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              TRANSMITTING

  A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT COVERING OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE WAR ON 
            TERROR AND IN KOSOVO, PURSUANT TO PUB. L. 93-148

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

   January 3, 2009.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
         Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, December 16, 2008.
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 
deployments of U.S. combat-equipped Armed Forces around the 
world. This supplemental report covers operations in support of 
the war on terror and in Kosovo.

                           The War on Terror

    Since September 24, 2001, I have reported, consistent with 
Public Law 107-40 and the War Powers Resolution, on the combat 
operations in Afghanistan against al-Qaida terrorists and their 
Taliban supporters, which began on October 7, 2001, and the 
deployment of various combat-equipped and combat-support forces 
to a number of locations in the Central, Pacific, European, 
Southern, and Africa Command areas of operation in support of 
those operations and of other operations in our war on terror.
    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 deployment of U.S. 
Armed Forces necessary to counter the terrorist threat to the 
United States.
    United States Armed Forces, with the assistance of numerous 
coalition partners, continue to conduct the U.S. campaign to 
pursue al-Qaida terrorists and to eliminate support to al-
Qaida. These operations have been successful in seriously 
degrading al-Qaida's training capabilities. United States Armed 
Forces, with the assistance of numerous coalition partners, 
ended the Taliban regime and are actively pursuing and engaging 
remnant al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. The total 
number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan is approximately 31,000, 
of which approximately 13,000 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 of December 20, 2001, and has reaffirmed its 
authorization since that time, most recently for a 12-month 
period from October 13, 2008, in U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1833 of September 22, 2008. The mission of ISAF 
under NATO command is to assist the Government of Afghanistan 
in creating a safe and secure environment that allows for 
continued reconstruction and the exercise and extension of 
Afghan authority. Currently, more than 40 nations contribute to 
ISAF, including all 26 NATO Allies.
    The United States continues to detain several hundred al-
Qaida and Taliban fighters who are believed to pose a 
continuing threat to the United States and its interests. The 
combat-equipped and combat-support forces deployed to Naval 
Base, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in the U.S. Southern Command area 
of operations since January 2002 continue to conduct secure 
detention operations for the enemy combatants at Guantanamo 
Bay.
    The U.N. Security Council authorized a Multinational Force 
(MNF) in Iraq under unified command in U.N. Security Council 
Resolution 1511 of October 16, 2003, and reaffirmed its 
authorization in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1546 of June 
8, 2004, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1637 of November 8, 
2005, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 of November 28, 
2006, and U.N. Security Council Resolution 1790 of December 18, 
2007, set to expire on December 31, 2008. Under Resolutions 
1546, 1637, 1723, and 1790, the mission of the MNF is to 
contribute to security and stability in Iraq. 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 U.S. contribution 
to the MNF fluctuates over time depending on the conditions in 
theater as determined by the commanders on the ground; the 
current U.S. contribution to the MNF is approximately 152,035 
U.S. military personnel.
    In furtherance of our efforts against terrorists who pose a 
continuing and imminent threat to the United States, its 
friends and allies, and our forces abroad, the United States 
continues to work with friends and allies in areas around the 
globe.
    These efforts include the deployment of U.S. combat-
equipped and combat-support forces to assist in enhancing the 
counterterrorism capabilities of our friends and allies. United 
States combat-equipped and combat-support 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 
commanders. These maritime operations have the responsibility 
to stop the movement, arming, or financing of international 
terrorists.

                      nato-led kosovo force (kfor)

    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 KFOR in U.N. 
Security Council Resolution 1244 of June 10, 1999.
    The original mission of KFOR was to monitor, to verify, 
and, when necessary, to enforce compliance with the Military 
Technical Agreement between NATO and Serbia (formerly the 
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia), while maintaining a safe and 
secure environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities and, 
with local authorities and international police, contributes to 
the maintenance of a safe and secure environment that 
facilitates the work of the United Nations Interim 
Administrative Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the European Union 
(EU)-led International Civilian Office, and the evolving EU 
Rule of Law Mission (EULEX).
    Currently, 25 NATO nations contribute to KFOR. Eight non-
NATO countries also participate by providing military and other 
support personnel to KFOR. The U.S. contribution to KFOR is 
about 1,500 U.S. military personnel, or approximately 9 percent 
of KFOR's total strength of approximately 15,500 personnel.
    The U.S. participating forces 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 remains the principal military task. The 
KFOR operates under NATO command and control and rules of 
engagement. The KFOR currently coordinates with and supports 
UNMIK within means and capabilities and has provided similar 
assurances of cooperation to EULEX. The KFOR provides a 
security presence in towns, villages, and the country-side; and 
organizes checkpoints and patrols in key areas to provide 
security, to protect all elements of the population living in 
Kosovo, and to help instill a feeling of confidence in all 
ethnic communities throughout Kosovo.
    NATO continues periodically to conduct a formal review of 
KFOR's mission. These reviews provide a basis for assessing 
current force levels, future requirements, force structure, 
force reductions, and the eventual withdrawal of KFOR. NATO 
adopted the Joint Operations Area plan to regionalize and 
rationalize its force structure in the Balkans.
    The UNMIK international police and Kosovo Police Service 
(KPS) have primary responsibility for public safety and 
policing throughout Kosovo. The UNMIK international police and 
KPS also have assumed responsibility for guarding some 
patrimonial sites and operating border crossings. The KFOR 
supports these police forces when requested and augments 
security in particularly sensitive areas or in response to 
particular threats as events on the ground dictate.
    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,
                                                    George W. Bush.

                                  
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