For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
August 13, 2003
Presidential Letter
To the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
In my report to the Congress of June 9, 2003, I provided
information on the deployment of combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces to
Liberia. I am providing this additional report, consistent with the
War Powers Resolution, to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully
informed on U.S. military activities in Liberia.
Shortly after my initial report, additional U.S. combat-equipped,
military personnel from the U.S. European Command deployed to Monrovia,
Liberia, to augment the U.S. Embassy security forces and to aid in the
evacuation of U.S. citizens from Liberia if required, raising the total
of such personnel to 56.
On August 1, 2003, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1497
was adopted. It authorized member states to establish a Multinational
Force in Liberia to support the implementation of the June 17, 2003,
ceasefire, including establishing conditions for initial stages of
disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration activities; establishing
security; and securing the environment for the delivery of humanitarian
assistance and the introduction of a longer term U.N. stabilization
force. Soon thereafter, approximately 4,350 U.S. military personnel on
board U.S. warships deployed into the area of operations off the coast
of Liberia in preparation to assist the Economic Community of West
African States Mission in Liberia (ECOMIL) forces in the conduct of
initial humanitarian and stability operations in the vicinity of
Monrovia, Liberia. On August 11, 2003, these combat-equipped forces
entered the territorial waters of Liberia timed to coincide with the
resig-nation and departure of President Taylor, which was the stated
prerequisite before deploying U.S. Armed Forces in support of ECOMIL.
It is anticipated that U.S. forces will redeploy when ECOMIL forces
have transitioned to the follow-on U.N. stabilization operations.
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 informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution.
I appreciate the support of the Congress in these actions in
Liberia.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
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