04 September 2001
Text: Bush Seeks to Redeploy U.S. Military in East Timor
(August 31 letter from President Bush to Congress) (750)
The United States will maintain a "rotational presence" through
December 2001 in East Timor, according to an August 31 letter from
President Bush to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the
President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
But, Bush added, the United States will seek to re-deploy the U.S.
military personnel stationed there, as circumstances permit in the
coming year.
Besides providing three military observers to the United Nations
Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET), the United States
maintains the U.S. Support Group East Timor (USGET), which has
approximately 20 people and supports U.S. Navy ships calling at East
Timor and visiting teams of medical and engineering personnel who
perform humanitarian work there.
In his letter to congressional leaders, Bush said U.S. "rotational
presence operations" are slated to continue through the end of the
year.
"We are reviewing options for our military presence in 2002," Bush
wrote.
"My objective," Bush continued, "is to reduce the rotational presence
operations, as well as to redeploy USGET, as circumstances permit,
giving due regard to the situation on the ground and the views of our
friends and allies in the region, including Australia."
Following is the text of President Bush's August 31 letter to the
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore
of the Senate regarding U.S. forces deployed to East Timor:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
August 31, 2001
TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE
August 31, 2001
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
In my report to the Congress of March 2, 2001, I provided information
regarding the continued deployment of U.S. Armed Forces in support of
East Timor's transition to independence. I am providing this
supplemental report, consistent with the War Powers Resolution, to
help ensure that the Congress is kept fully informed regarding U.S.
Armed Forces in East Timor.
As you are aware, U.N. Security Council Resolution 1272 established
the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET)
on October 25, 1999. The UNTAET's mandate 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. 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.
The United States also maintains a military presence in East Timor
that is separate from UNTAET. This includes the U.S. Support Group
East Timor (USGET), comprised of approximately 20 U.S. personnel,
including a security detachment, which facilitates and coordinates
U.S. military activities in East Timor, and a rotational presence of
U.S. forces through temporary deployments to East Timor. These
rotational presence operations include monthly U.S. Navy ship visits,
and deployments of military medical and engineering teams that conduct
humanitarian and civic assistance activities in areas critical to East
Timor's citizens. United States forces assigned to USGET and those
conducting rotational presence operations operate under U.S. command
and control and U.S. rules of engagement. The United Nations, and
Australia as a leading contributor to UNTAET, have indicated that East
Timor has benefited greatly from U.S. military deployments to and
engagement activities in East Timor. Both the United Nations and
Australia strongly support continued U.S. presence in East Timor.
At this point, U.S. rotational presence operations are envisioned to
continue through December 2001. We are reviewing options for our
military presence in 2002. My objective is to reduce the rotational
presence operations, as well as to redeploy USGET, as circumstances
permit, giving due regard to the situation on the ground and the views
of our friends and allies in the region, including Australia.
I have authorized the continuation of 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,
GEORGE W. BUSH
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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