[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 131 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               INTERNATIONAL TROOPS ALSO MAKE SACRIFICES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. de la Garza). Under a previous order of 
the House, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Gonzalez] is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, at a time when the last U.S. military 
personnel are being withdrawn from Somalia, it is important to remember 
that thousands of servicemen from other countries are still there.
  This past Saturday, the final 55 U.S. Marines and three sailors left 
Somalia, bringing to a close our involvement in a mission that started 
2 years ago. But almost 19,000 troops from other countries acting as 
U.N. peacekeepers remain in Somalis.
  From the U.S. military intervention in Somalia in December 1992 
through the subsequent United Nations operation called UNOSOM, a total 
of 36 U.S. servicemen were killed in Somalia. Now at the end of our 
involvement in this mission, when we remember and honor the service of 
our soldiers, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the 
line of duty, we should also remember and take heed of the fact that 
over 60 peacekeepers from other countries have lost their lives in 
Somalia as well.
  Of the U.N. peacekeeping force still in Somalia, 5,000 are from the 
Army of India. On August 22, seven Indian soldiers were killed in 
defending a logistics convoy of the U.S. company Brown & Root when it 
was ambushed by a band of armed Somalis. As we honor the dedication and 
sacrifice of our own soldiers, I believe we must do the same for those, 
such as these Indian soldiers, who have served and sacrificed along 
side our own forces.
  This is especially important to keep in mind, for on this day--just 2 
days after the lost of our troops have left Somalia--15,000 U.S. troops 
are being deployed in Haiti in yet another mission. Again, as in 
Somalia, the initial massive U.S. military intervention will be 
followed by a much longer presence of international forces under the 
United Nations.
  In terms of the deployment of U.S. military forces abroad, I am 
deeply disturbed that successive Presidents have gone to the United 
Nations for authority to use military force internationally rather than 
to the U.S. Congress, as the President is required to do under the 
Constitution. President Bush did this in Iraq and Somalia. Then 
President Clinton rubberstamped the actions in Somalia and now has 
pursued the same course in Haiti. And looked favorably upon both the 
invasions by President Reagan of Grenada and then the, what I consider 
to be an infamous invasion on our part of Panama with the results that 
the avowed purposes we had for invading Panama has resulted in us 
having to keep right now two-thirds of the number of our troops that we 
had at the height of the invasion of Panama. If we do not, it will not 
be an American life safe in Panama.

  We went in ostensibly to capture what we said was the chief drug 
peddler and try to put a stop to the extensive dope and drug peddling. 
As a matter of fact, since our invasion, the amount of narcotics, 
illegal, through Panama and by Panama and from Panama is three times 
more than it was at the time of our invasion. So these are things that 
ought to sober us at this point. This shakes our constitutional system 
of government to its core.
  But this also has a concrete impact on the lives of soldiers from 
around the world. This New World Order seems to be one in which the 
United States leads the charge to intervene militarily and then 
international forces are left to carry out the longer peacekeeping 
functions. As we pay our respects to the service and sacrifices of 
those in our Armed Forces, I believe we must recognize this same 
dedication of the soldiers from other countries who play a vital part 
in these operations and policies as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to submit here for the Record the letter I 
recently received from the Ambassador of India, the Honorable 
Siddhartha Shankar Ray, on the involvement of Indian Army troops in 
Somalia and the recent death of seven of their soldiers. I have also 
included a recent article that further details the involvement and 
service of Indian troops in Somalia.


                                          Ambassador of India,

                                  Washington, DC, August 26, 1994.
     Hon. Henry B. Gonzalez,
     U.S. House of Representatives,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Gonzalez: An important feature of the 
     growing cooperation between our two countries is the joint 
     participation of our armed forces in U.N. peace-keeping 
     operations. Our forces have served together in Somalia. 5,000 
     troops of the Indian Army continue to operate in Somalia as 
     part of the U.N. peace-keeping operation.
       India Abroad, a weekly newspaper, in its New York edition 
     of August 5, 1994, after a detailed on the spot study of the 
     situation, has done a comprehensive write-up on the 
     participation of Indian troops in a wide range of 
     humanitarian and other activities in Somalia that are having 
     a direct beneficial effect on the lives of the people there. 
     I take the liberty of sending a copy of the write-up. I do 
     hope you would find some time to glance through it.
       As you may be aware, on August 22, 1994, 7 Indian soldiers 
     in Somalia were killed in an ambush. They were escorting a 
     road repair team belonging to a U.S. logistics company, Brown 
     & Root. At 10:00 am, near Bur-Lego, 35 Kms from Bale Dogle 
     along road Bale Dogle-BurHakaba they were ambushed and came 
     under heavy machine gun fire.
       The Brown & Root road repair team comprised one U.S. 
     Citizen, Mr. Jimmy Mustin, six Somali workers, one dump truck 
     and two water tankers. As they were fired upon, two Indian 
     vehicles moved alongside to protect them. The lead Indian 
     vehicle turned around and sought to break the ambush. A 
     dismounted attack was launched against two `technicals' one 
     of which was mounted with a heavy machine gun, and the other 
     with a ZU-23, 23MM antiaircraft gun.
       In the ensuing action both `technicals' were destroyed, 
     three bandits killed and three captured. Sadly, this was not 
     without great attrition for the Indian Contingent--one Junior 
     Commissioned Officer, three Non Commissioned Officers and 
     three other Ranks lost their lives, while nine more were 
     wounded. However, not the slightest injury came to Mr. Jimmy 
     Mustin or the six Somali workers, nor was their equipment 
     damaged. The Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives to ensure 
     no harm came to those it was their duty to protect. I enclose 
     a copy of a letter received from Brown and Root Services 
     Corporation expressing appreciation for the brave performance 
     of our soldiers.
       The roll of honor of the fallen soldiers given below shows 
     their diverse origins which were united in supreme sacrifice:
       Subedar Ganga Ram, from Rajasthan.
       Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh from Bihar.
       Lance Naik Bir Pal Singh from Itah, Uttar Pradesh.
       Lance Naik Saudagar Singh from Gurdaspur, Punjab.
       Sepoy Ram Lal Patel from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
       Sepoy Ram Pal Gupta from Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
       Sepoy Devinder Chand from Pithoragarh, Uttar Pradesh.
       It is difficult to comprehend why peace-keepers should be 
     killed. All factions of the Somali leadership in the very 
     extensive area where our brigade is deployed have repeatedly 
     acknowledged that the Indian brigade acted impartially and in 
     the best traditions of the United Nations. We can only 
     surmise, therefore, that this terrible attack was the work of 
     a small group of individuals, and cannot possibly represent 
     the policy of any of the clans or political factions.
       On this assumption, we will continue our commitment to 
     UNOSOM. If, in the relative order UNOSOM has afforded them, 
     the Somali leadership can come to a political understanding 
     which restores peace to that country, we, and the families of 
     the soldiers who have given their lives, would be satisfied 
     that their sacrifice has not been in vain.
       Very best wishes,
           Yours sincerely,
                                           Siddhartha Shankar Ray.
                                  ____


                   [From India Abroad, Aug. 5, 1994]

                   Somalia: Beyond Just Peacekeeping

       The Indian Army, which has nearly 5,000 troops stationed in 
     Somalia as part of the United Nations operation for 
     peacekeeping in Somalia, is winning the hearts of the local 
     population, Sidharth Bhatia reports. Ordinary Somalis, who 
     have suffered from the prolonged civil war in their country, 
     are full of praise for the Indian Army's humanitarian work, 
     which includes running orphanages, giving training courses 
     and providing medical camps that have come as a boon.
       The Indians are also helping to instill a sense of security 
     and reviving civil society, apart from trying to mediate 
     peace between warring clans. Not surprisingly, clan leaders 
     like Ali Mahdi and Gen. Siad Morgan want the Indian 
     government to keep its troops in Somalia even after the U.N. 
     decides to pull out. Somalis also have a great love for 
     things Indian, including Hindi films, which they adore.
       A unique feature in Somalia was the unprecedented joint 
     operation conducted by the Indian and Pakistani troops also 
     stationed there under the U.N. flag.
       Somalia is the latest in a long line of successful 
     peacekeeping operations by the Indian Army since it sent a 
     contingent to Korea in the 1950s, Tarun Basu writes. The Army 
     top brass is of the opinion that the Indian government should 
     readily accept any U.N. proposal to keep its troops in 
     Somalia.
       The operation also represented a watershed for the Indian 
     Navy, which took part in a multinational naval relief effort, 
     Uday Bhaskar writes.
                                  ____


                   Somalis Get a Taste of Compassion

                          (By Sidharth Bhatia)

       Baidoa, Somalia.--If the people of Somalia had their way, 
     the Indian army contingent currently engaged in peacekeeping 
     operations here would never be allowed to leave.
       In the nine months or so that the nearly 5,000 Indian 
     soldiers have been based in the war-ravaged land, they have 
     captured the hearts and minds of every one, from clan leaders 
     to the ordinary people on the dusty streets.
       At the same time, the Indian army has once again 
     demonstrated its high degree of professionalism and even 
     shown its formidable skills in conducting peacekeeping 
     operations with minimum bloodshed and maximum sensitivity.
       As part of United Nations operations in Somalia (UNOSOM), A 
     19000-strong multi-national force, including Pakistanis, 
     Bangladeshis and Egyptians, whose mandate is to 
     quell the violence in Somalia and bring peace among the 
     warring clans and factions, the Indian army has shown 
     remarkable results.
       ``I appeal to the Indian government to let the Indian army 
     be here even after UNOSOM is wound up,'' said General 
     Mohammed Siad Hersi Morgan, a strong leader in the far south, 
     in an interview with India Abroad.
       His opinion was echoed by a village elder, Malak Mukhtar, 
     in Baidoa in central Somalia. ``The Indian soldiers are like 
     my sons and sons-in-law. They are free to live here, even 
     marry our daughters,'' he said emotionally.
       Among the ordinary Somalis, who have suffered the most in 
     the prolonged civil war and the attendant famines, the 
     Indians have acquired the status of a saviour because of the 
     relief and rehabilitation projects carried out by the 
     soldiers. These include hospitals, veterinarian training 
     centers, orphanages and even craft centers.
       In the over 170,000 square kilometer area of responsibility 
     (AOR) assigned to the Indians, by far the largest area under 
     any foreign force's command, the Indian army units have 
     managed to not only stabilize the situation, persuading rival 
     clans to sit across the table and talk peace, but also 
     initiated ambitious humanitarian tasks to provide succor to 
     the beleaguered Somali population.
       They have faithfully executed, in letter and spirit, the 
     mission given to them: ``To maintain a secure and stable 
     environment for the continued advancement of political 
     reconciliation, help in economic development, conducting of 
     humanitarian relief operations and assistance in the 
     political rehabilitation process in the AOR.'' In fact they 
     seem to have gone far beyond that mandate, adding their own 
     personal human touch to the stated objective.
       Baidoa, where the Indian brigade is headquartered, provides 
     a good example of the army's efforts. Known till last year as 
     ``the city of death'' for its alarming fatality rate, which 
     went up to 400 a day, the small town had been at the 
     epicenter of much of the civil war. Several skirmishes 
     between rival clans and battles, fought between townspeople 
     as well as retreating forces, have laid to waste what was 
     once a thriving agricultural community. In addition, famine, 
     disease and malnutrition had played havoc with human lives.
       The town was first under the command of Australian forces, 
     who started many projects. It was then taken over by the 
     French who were seen to be too remote and colonial. Somalian 
     villagers did not appreciate the common Western practice 
     followed by the French doctors of wearing gloves while 
     examining patients. ``We find the Indians are much more human 
     in this regard,'' said a village elder.
       When the Indians moved in, they were seen as one more 
     foreign army under the auspices of the U.N. In a short while, 
     however, the Indians impressed local Somalis with their 
     professionalism, which also had a human face. Somalis, who 
     have centuries-old trade ties with India and are great fans 
     of Indian films, have taken to their brothers from ``Hindi'' 
     very well.
       ``Hindi good'' (India is good) is a refrain often heard in 
     the markets of this war-torn land where till recently UNOSOM 
     was a much hated enemy.
       ``Everyone thought that once the U.S. and other forces 
     left, Somalia would collapse. In fact, I think the situation 
     has actually improved under Asian and African forces,'' said 
     General Aboo, the Malaysian force commander in charge of the 
     UNOSOM operations. ``I think it is a question of a cultural 
     synergy and similarity,'' said Colonel Deepak Merchant, the 
     Chief of Staff of the Indian contingent.
       ``When a Somali village elder comes to my room, I stand up 
     because that is how my culture teaches me to show respect to 
     elders. I do not think he is wasting my time,'' he told India 
     Abroad.
       In contrast, said many Somalis, Western forces were apt to 
     be more brusque and at a loss to grasp the nuances of their 
     culture. This point was also reiterated by a senior army 
     officer from another Asian country who felt that the Indians 
     and others were closer to a traditional, conservative society 
     like Somalia.
       The Indians also repeatedly point out that the clan system, 
     which is at the root of the civil war, is no different from 
     the caste structure in India. ``If we in India can get along 
     with so many castes and religions, why cannot the Somalis, 
     who are almost totally Sunni Muslim, do so, we say. And they 
     always listen,'' said Col. Merchant.
       Cultural sensitivity is at the heart of the Indian army's 
     stupendous success in the peacekeeping mission which has 
     drawn praise even from their foreign counterparts. ``Our army 
     has made it clear that we will send another contingent to 
     Somalia only if we are guaranteed the escort cover of the 
     Indians,'' said an Irish officer. A small Irish army 
     logistical unit is stationed in Baidoa, mainly to transport 
     food and other rations from distant Mogadishu every week and, 
     on its long and risky journey, it is guarded by the Indian 
     troops.
       On one occasion in March, the Indians successfully foiled 
     an ambush by around 50 Somali bandits, killing nine and 
     taking several prisoner. The action received widespread 
     coverage in Ireland and a laudatory mention in that country's 
     parliament, which praised ``the highest professional 
     standards'' of the Indian soldiers.
       But though there is no let up in vigilance and all key 
     vulnerable areas and points are guarded at all times. It is 
     the humanitarian aspect which has endeared the Indians to the 
     Somalis. A typical example of this effort is the Indian 
     hospital in Baidoa. Known officially as 320 Field Ambulance, 
     the hospital, a little more than a ramshackle, shelled 
     building till the Indians moved in, was set up in November to 
     look after UNOSOM forces and expatriate civilians from the 
     U.N. and NGOs.
       Soon enough the hospital became popular with civilian 
     Somalis who did not get much attention at the main civilian 
     hospital in the town. Between November and the end of June, 
     the hospital dealt with over 60,000 Somali civilians in the 
     out-patient department in Baidoa alone. Many of the patients 
     are women who were hesitant to approach male doctors and were 
     pleased that the Indian contingent had a team of women 
     medics.
       ``The war and the famine have played havoc with the health 
     of women,'' said Lt. Col. Nagalaxmi Bhattacharya, a 
     gynaecologist who has treated hundreds of Somali women.'' 
     Firstly there is a shortage of men, so there is high rate of 
     infertility. Then, due to lack of proper nutrition and 
     sanitation, skin infections are rampant,'' she said.
       An elderly Somali lady, Shahiya, whose nine-year problem 
     was finally cured by Col. Bhattacharya's treatment, told this 
     correspond firmly. ``I will never let her leave this place.''
       Such sentiments are commonplace among grateful Somalis in 
     many districts where the Indians operate. In the tiny 
     pastoral enclave of Bur Hakaba, Indiana army soldiers conduct 
     training for would-be veterinanians and tend to ailing 
     camels. In Wajid, an Indian army managed well supplies 
     unlimited clean drinking water to the villagers and in 
     Kismayo on the coast, a fortnightly camp brings much-needed 
     medical attention to pregnant women.
       One of the highlights of the humanitarian work is the 
     Bonkay Orphanage, adopted by the brigade in Baidoa. The army 
     was approached by the orphanage's managing committee when the 
     non-government organization sponsors decided to move out. 
     ``We tried to bring in some order by making it like a school, 
     with house competitions, regular time tables and physical 
     training for the over 600 children,'' said Capt. Charanjit 
     Singh, an officer of the Education Corps in the army who has 
     taken on the orphanage as a personal mission.
       ``It gives all of us extreme personal satisfaction to do 
     this kind of work which we would never get an opportunity to 
     do otherwise,'' he said. Hundreds of Somali children have 
     lost their parents in the war. To them, an orphanage, which 
     provides food and shelter and also some education which they 
     are missing is welcome.'' If only I could also get some 
     clothes,'' said Muhammed Ibrahim, a 13-year-old whose parents 
     were killed two years ago.
       But missionary work, however noble, has never been the main 
     objective of an army which has more to do with weapons than 
     running charitable institutions.
       Col. Merchant denied that the army's could get diluted by 
     such close involvement in non-traditional activities. ``Our 
     efficiency levels have always been kept high and we still do 
     a lot of regular military work like patrolling providing 
     cover and protection to convoys and even, when the occasion 
     demands, fighting. But this experience has given us 
     tremendous experience in relationship with civilians, which 
     will help us even in India,'' he said.
       In fact, the contingent has helped set up several civilian 
     structures in its attempt to restore normalcy which will help 
     Somalia get back to its feet. The Indian brigade is the only 
     army in UNOSOM to carry its own legal officer, whose brief is 
     to help reestablish courts and the police force in Baidoa, 
     where civilian administration all but disappeared during the 
     war.
       The Indians also helped set up peace talks and elders 
     councils, which are slowly asserting their authority in their 
     territories across clan lines, not a very easy task in a 
     country where clan loyalities are defended with guns.
       However, though many parts of Somlia, especially those 
     under the Indians, appear to be calm and bereft of largescale 
     violence, it remains to be seen if this will continue once 
     the UNOSOM forces, including the Indians, return to their own 
     homelands.
       Most observers agree that the key lies in Mogadishu, where 
     the two important groups, led by General Mohammed Aideed and 
     Ali Mahdi, are said to be engaged in a last-ditch battle even 
     as efforts continue to bring everyone to the table.
       Some feel that the normalcy, even in the Indian areas, is 
     fragile and will collapse once the army leaves. There are 
     already reports that a phased withdrawal of U.N. forces will 
     begin after September and Indian troops could also begin to 
     return home in batches. The Indians are trying hard to ensure 
     that the structures being set up by them administrative, 
     economic and social continue even after the army packs its 
     bags. But eventually their success will be left to the 
     Somalis. ``Our task was clear and we tried to fulfill it to 
     the best of our ability,'' said an Indian army officer.
       And, there seems to be little doubt that they succeeded 
     beyond all expectations.

                          ____________________