Report 20000512A
Date
May 12, 2000
Administration
Bill Clinton (Second Term)Location
Sierra LeoneWas 4(a)(1) Triggered? (Hostilities/Imminent Hostilities)
No, as described in/inferred from 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
Yes
Details: UN, UK ("Some of the units identified to participate in such an operation include U.S. military personnel on exchange programs with the British military.")
Article 51 Report to UN
Not applicable because no self-defense claim
Purpose/Mission
EvacuationDetails: Prepare for evacuation of U.S Embassy personnel and U.S. citizens in Freetown, Sierra Leone; Assist UNAMSIL in response to threat by Revolutionary United Front
Domestic Legal Authority
Constitution (Art. II)Details: "These actions have been taken pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive."
Claimed International Legal Basis
UN Security Council authorizationDetails: UNSCR 1270, 1289
Estimated Scope/Duration
None provided
Type of Enemy or Mission
Non-state actorDetails: "the insurgent Revolutionary United Front (RUF)"
Military Activity
Air operations Use of naval forces/vesselsDetails: A coastal patrol vessel "equipped with the normal complement of weapons" deployed "to participate in an evacuation operation of U.S. personnel should such action become warranted"; "a U.S. C–17 aircraft is scheduled to deliver urgently required ammunition and other supplies and equipment to Sierra Leone for the Jordanian contingent in UNAMSIL"; "provide further transportation support for the U.N. mission"
US Casualties Reported
No
Non-US Casualties Reported
No
