[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992-1993, Book II)]
[December 10, 1992]
[Pages 2179-2180]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Letter to Congressional Leaders on the Situation in Somalia
December 10, 1992

Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
    Beginning in January of this year with the adoption of U.N. Security 
Council Resolution 733, the United Nations has been actively addressing 
the humanitarian crisis in Somalia. The United States has been assisting 
the U.N. effort to deal with a human catastrophe. Over 300,000 Somalis 
have died of starvation. Five times that number remain at risk, beyond 
the reach of international relief efforts in large part because of the 
security situation. As a result, voluntary relief organizations from the 
United States and other countries have appealed for assistance from 
outside security forces.
    On November 29, 1992, the Secretary General of the United Nations 
reported to the Security Council that the deteriorating security 
conditions in Somalia had severely disrupted international relief 
efforts and that an immediate military operation under U.N. authority 
was urgently required. On December 3, the Security Council adopted 
Resolution 794, which determined that the situation in Somalia 
constituted a threat to international peace and security, and, invoking 
Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter, authorized Member States to use all 
necessary means to establish a secure environment for humanitarian 
relief operations in Somalia. In my judgment, the deployment of U.S. 
Armed Forces under U.S. command to Somalia as part of this multilateral 
response to the Resolution is necessary to address a major humanitarian 
calamity, avert related threats to international peace and

[[Page 2180]]

security, and protect the safety of Americans and others engaged in 
relief operations.
    In the evening, Eastern Standard Time, on December 8, 1992, U.S. 
Armed Forces entered Somalia to secure the airfield and port facility of 
Mogadishu. Other elements of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Armed Forces 
of other Members of the United Nations are being introduced into Somalia 
to achieve the objectives of U.N. Security Council Resolution 794. No 
organized resistance has been encountered to date.
    U.S. Armed Forces will remain in Somalia only as long as necessary 
to establish a secure environment for humanitarian relief operations and 
will then turn over the responsibility of maintaining this environment 
to a U.N. peacekeeping force assigned to Somalia. Over 15 nations have 
already offered to deploy troops. While it is not possible to estimate 
precisely how long the transfer of responsibility may take, we believe 
that prolonged operations will not be necessary.
    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 
humanitarian 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.
    I have taken these actions pursuant to my constitutional authority 
to conduct our foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief 
Executive, and in accordance with applicable treaties and laws. In doing 
so, I have taken into account the views expressed in H. Con. Res. 370, 
S. Con. Res. 132, and the Horn of Africa Recovery and Food Security Act, 
Public Law 102-274, on the urgent need for action in Somalia.
    I am providing this report in accordance with my desire that 
Congress be fully informed and consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution. I look forward to cooperating with Congress in the effort to 
relieve human suffering and to restore peace and stability to the 
region.
    Sincerely,

                                                             George Bush

                    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. 
                        Foley, Speaker of the House of Representatives, 
                        and Robert C. Byrd, President pro tempore of the 
                        Senate.