Report 19960411A
Date
April 11, 1996
Administration
Bill Clinton (First Term)Location
Liberia Sierra Leone SenegalWas 4(a)(1) Triggered? (Hostilities/Imminent Hostilities)
Yes, described in/inferred from report
Was 4(a)(2) Triggered? (Combat- Equipped Introduction)
Yes, stated or used terms in statute
Was 4(a)(3) Triggered? (Substantial Enlargement)
Insufficient information to infer from report
Joint/Coalition Mission
No
Article 51 Report to UN
Not applicable because no self-defense claim
Purpose/Mission
EvacuationDetails: Evacuate "private U.S. citizens and certain third-country nationals who have taken refuge in the U.S. Embassy compound wishing to leave" Liberia; "to reinforce and assist the American Embassy"
Domestic Legal Authority
Constitution (Art. II)Details: "I have taken this action pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive."
Claimed International Legal Basis
UnknownEstimated Scope/Duration
Mission-bound but indeterminate
Details: "I therefore expect that this operation will be of limited duration."
Type of Enemy or Mission
Embassy protection Rescue/Evacuation of nationalsDetails: "factions led by Charles Taylor and Roosevelt Johnson involved in the civil war" and "groups of angry civilians" in Liberia
Military Activity
Air operations Use of naval forces/vessels Use of ground forcesDetails: Operation Assured Response, involving approximately 140 military personnel, is "using MH–53 helicopters staged from Freetown, Sierra Leone" with a "small number of U.S. military aircraft" supporting from Senegal; Deployment "of U.S. Navy amphibious forces to the region to transport evacuees, if required."
US Casualties Reported
No
Details: "A number of our helicopters have been fired upon, but have not been hit."
Non-US Casualties Reported
Unknown
