[House Document 104-42]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]





                                     

        104th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House 
Document 104-42


 
                CONCERNING U.S. ARMED FORCES IN SOMALIA

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

            A REPORT REGARDING U.S. ARMED FORCES IN SOMALIA




 March 2, 1995.--Referred to the Committee on International Relations 
                       and ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                         Washington, March 1, 1995.
Hon. Newt Gingrich,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On February 27, 1995, at approximately 
3:00 p.m. e.s.t., 1,800 combat-equipped U.S. Armed Forces 
personnel began deployment into Mogadishu, Somalia, to assist 
in the withdrawal of U.N. forces assigned to the United Nations 
Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II). The U.S. forces were 
accompanied by approximately 500 Italian marines. A total of 
14,000 multinational personnel are participating in this 
operation. The U.S. forces include the USS Essex Amphibious 
Readiness Group, the USS Belleau Wood, the Special Marine Air-
to-Ground Task Force, and Special Operations forces including 
four AC-130 gunships.
    The U.S. Armed Forces entered Somalia in December 1992, 
pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 794, 
with the mission of establishing a secure environment for 
humanitarian relief operations. Upon completion of this mission 
in 1993, responsibility for maintaining the environment created 
by the U.S.-led operation was transferred to UNOSOM II. Almost 
all U.S. military forces were withdrawn from Somalia on March 
31, 1994, and the few remaining U.S. forces were subsequently 
withdrawn on September 15, 1994.
    The U.S. forces have returned to Somalia to support the 
U.N. withdrawal as part of the U.S. long-standing commitment to 
U.N. humanitarian efforts in Somalia. The withdrawal operation 
is a coalition effort consisting of forces from Italy, the 
United Kingdom, France, Pakistan, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and the 
United States. We do not intend that U.S. Armed Forces deployed 
to Somalia become involved in hostilities. Nonetheless, these 
forces are equipped and ready to take such measures as may be 
needed to accomplish their mission and defend themselves, if 
necessary; they also will have the support of any additional 
U.S. Armed Forces necessary to ensure their safety and the 
accomplishment of their mission. It is my intention that this 
will be an operation of short duration whose only purpose is to 
assist in the withdrawal of UNOSOM II forces.
    Over the course of the U.N. operations in Somalia, various 
items of U.S. equipment (helicopters, tanks, and armored 
personnel carriers) were leased to the United Nations to 
support operations in Somalia. It is our intention to assist 
the United Nations in withdrawing this equipment, to prevent 
its falling into the hands of those who might use it to cause 
further harm to the Somali people.
    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 remain committed to ensuring that the Congress is kept 
fully informed regarding significant employments of the U.S. 
Armed Forces. Accordingly, and consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution, I am providing this report on the U.S. military 
actions described above. I appreciate your continued support as 
we complete this operation.
            Sincerely,
                                                William J. Clinton.