THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Arusha, Tanzania)
Monday, August 28, 2000
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:)
On October 8, 1999, I reported to the Congress, consistent with the
War Powers Resolution, the deployment of a limited number of U.S.
military forces to provide support to the International Force East
Timor (INTERFET). This multinational force, established by United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1264, was given a mandate to
restore peace and security in East Timor, protect and support the
United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), and, within force
capabilities, facilitate humanitarian assistance operations. The U.S.
support to INTERFET consisted of planning and staff, communications,
humanitarian, intelligence, and logistics support (including theater
and strategic lift).
The INTERFET was formally replaced in East Timor on February 23, 2000,
by the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor
(UNTAET). Consequently, the U.S. personnel who were the subject of my
October 8, 1999, report redeployed from East Timor. The UNTAET, which
was established by Security Council Resolution 1272, has a mandate
that includes providing security and maintaining law and order
throughout East Timor; establishing an effective administration;
ensuring the coordination and delivery of humanitarian assistance; and
supporting capacity-building for self-government. To implement this
plan, the Security Council authorized UNTAET to deploy up to 8,950
military personnel, 200 military observers, and 1,640 civilian police.
The United States currently contributes three military observers to
UNTAET. These personnel are assigned to the United Nations pursuant to
the United Nations Participation Act (Public Law 79--264), and operate
under U.N. operational control. During June and July 2000, the U.S.
contribution to UNTAET also included one judge advocate officer.
As I reported to the Congress on February 25, 2000, the United States
also maintains a credible and visible military presence in East Timor
that is separate from UNTAET. This military presence consists of the
U.S. Support Group East Timor (USGET), comprised of approximately 30
U.S. personnel who facilitate and coordinate U.S. military activities
in East Timor, and the rotational presence of U.S. forces through
temporary deployments to East Timor. These rotational presence
operations include periodic ship visits during which U.S. forces
conduct humanitarian and civic assistance activities in areas critical
to East Timor's citizens. United States forces, whether assigned to
USGET or conducting rotational presence operations, operate under U.S.
command and control, and U.S. rules of engagement. The United Nations
has indicated that East Timor has benefited greatly from U.S. military
deployments to, and engagement activities in, East Timor and supports
the continued U.S. presence there.
At this point, our rotational presence operations are envisioned to
continue through December 2000. Future rotational presence operations
will likely include rotation of naval assets and embarked aircraft,
and small medical/dental and engineering civic action programs.
Certain of these forces will be equipped with the normal complement of
defensive weapons. The duration of our support depends upon the course
of events in East Timor. At present, it is my intention to continue
operations generally at the current levels to the end of the calendar
year. It is, however, our objective to reduce the rotational presence
operations, as well as to redeploy USGET as soon as circumstances
permit.
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 fully informed, consistent with the War Powers
Resolution. I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.
Sincerely,
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
