Report 19960523A
Date
May 23, 1996
Administration
Bill Clinton (First Term)Location
Central African RepublicWas 4(a)(1) Triggered? (Hostilities/Imminent Hostilities)
No, as stated in report
Was 4(a)(2) Triggered? (Combat- Equipped Introduction)
Yes, described in/inferred from report
Was 4(a)(3) Triggered? (Substantial Enlargement)
No, as described in/inferred 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 U.S. government employees; "to defend American lives and property"
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: "U.S. forces will redeploy as soon as evacuation operations are complete and enhanced security at the American Embassy is no longer required."
Type of Enemy or Mission
Embassy protectionDetails: "heavy fighting... between government forces and mutinous troops in the capital city of Bangui, Central African Republic."
Military Activity
Air operations Use of ground forcesDetails: "Approximately 32 U.S. Marines... took up positions in and around the American Embassy compound" and "deployed to the international airport in order to assist in processing evacuees"; "Evacuation operations" involve "a U.S. KC–130 cargo aircraft operating into Yaounde, Cameroon."
US Casualties Reported
Unknown
Non-US Casualties Reported
Unknown
