For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 22, 2003
Presidential Letter
Text of a Letter from the President 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 January 21, 2003, I provided
information on the deployment of combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces to
Bosnia and Herzegovina and other states in the region in order to
participate in and support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)-led Stabilization Force (SFOR). The SFOR began its mission and
assumed authority from the NATO-led Implementation Force on December
20, 1996. I am providing this supplemental report, prepared by my
Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public
Law 93-148), to help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed on
continued U.S. contributions in support of peacekeeping efforts in the
former Yugoslavia.
The U.N. Security Council authorized Member States to continue SFOR
for a period of 12 months in U.N. Security Council Resolution 1491 of
July 11, 2003. The mission of SFOR is to provide a focused military
presence in order to deter hostilities, stabilize and consolidate the
peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, contribute to a secure environment,
and provide, within its means and capabilities, selective support to
key tasks and key civil implementation organizations.
The U.S. force contribution to SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina is
approximately 1,800 personnel. United States personnel comprise
approximately 15 percent of the total SFOR force of approximately
12,000 personnel. During the first half of 2003, 17 NATO nations and
11 others provided military personnel or other support to SFOR. Most
U.S. forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina are assigned to Multinational
Brigade, North, headquartered near the city of Tuzla. The U.S. forces
continue to support SFOR efforts to apprehend persons indicted for war
crimes and to conduct counter-terrorism operations. In the last 6
months, U.S. forces have not sustained any combat-related fatalities.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in these
operations 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 about developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I will continue to consult closely with the Congress regarding our
efforts to foster peace and stability in the former Yugoslavia.
Sincerely,
GEORGE W. BUSH
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