    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 1, 1993]
    [Pages 969-971]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Somalia
    July 1, 1993

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In my letter to you of June 10, 1993, regarding the deployment of
    U.S. Armed Forces to Somalia, I reported on the deplorable June 5
    attacks on United Nations Operation in Somalia forces (UNOSOM II)
    instigated by one of Somalia's factional leaders. I also reported to you
    that on June 6, 1993, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 837,
    which strongly condemned the unprovoked June 5 attacks that left 23
    Pakistani peacekeepers dead. In addition, the Security Council
    reemphasized the crucial importance of the disarmament of all Somali
    parties, and reaffirmed the Secretary General's au-

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    thority under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter ``to take all necessary
    measures against those responsible for the armed attacks [of June 5],
    including against those responsible for publicly inciting such attacks,
    to establish the effective authority of UNOSOM II throughout Somalia,
    including to secure the investigation of their actions and their arrest
    and detention for prosecution, trial and punishment.''
        Since that time, the United Nations has acted resolutely to restore
    order in Mogadishu and to protect U.N. forces. These actions have
    ensured that the world community's crucial humanitarian efforts in
    Somalia and the national reconciliation process in that country will
    continue to move forward. In view of these developments (in particular
    the role of U.S. Armed Forces in the recent U.N.-led activities in
    Somalia), and because of my desire that the Congress be kept fully
    informed regarding significant deployments of U.S. Armed Forces, I am
    providing this supplement to my earlier report.
        In planning appropriate measures to respond to the violence and to
    implement the Security Council's mandate, the United Nations was able to
    draw upon the superb capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces that remained
    in Somalia following the transition to UNOSOM II. In addition to the
    logistics and other support personnel assigned to UNOSOM II, the Quick
    Reaction Forces (QRF)--under U.S. operational control--was available to
    assist UNOSOM II during emergencies. At the height of the U.S.-led
    Unified Task Force (UNITAF) operations, just over 25,000 U.S. Armed
    Forces personnel were deployed to Somalia. Consistent with U.S. policy
    objectives, the current smaller U.S. contribution of approximately 4,400
    personnel reflects the increased participation by other U.N. Member
    States.
        United States Armed Forces played an extremely important role in the
    successful efforts of UNOSOM II to restore stability to the area and to
    enable U.N. humanitarian operations in Somalia to proceed. First, after
    determining that the leadership of one of Somalia's factions had planned
    and incited the June 5 attacks on U.N. peacekeepers, UNOSOM II initiated
    air and ground military operations in the early morning hours of June
    12. Primary targets included weapons and ordnance caches and a radio
    facility that had been used to foment violence towards U.N. forces and
    opposition to implementation of the Security Council's humanitarian
    mandate in Somalia. United States fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft
    operating as part of the QRF, in support of UNOSOM II, destroyed or
    disabled those targets in a well-planned effort consistent with the
    Security Council's disarmament objectives and the mandate to restore
    security. United States forces sustained no casualties.
        On June 17, the Special Representative of the Secretary General,
    acting pursuant to Security Council Resolution 837, ordered the arrest
    of General Mohammed Farah Aideed for alleged criminal acts against
    UNOSOM II peacekeeping forces on June 5. In addition, UNOSOM II forces
    conducted further coordinated ground and air operations designed to
    search, clear, and disarm the factional stronghold of General Aideed in
    south Mogadishu that posed a continuing threat to U.N. operations.
    Ground and aerial broadcasts warned civilians to leave the area. Targets
    included weapons and ammunition caches, command and control facilities,
    and defensive positions. Once again, the U.S. QRF, in support of UNOSOM
    II, conducted air attacks, followed by search and clearing operations on
    the ground by non-U.S. UNOSOM II military personnel. Only one U.S.
    military member sustained minor injury, although there were several
    deaths and a number of injuries among UNOSOM II forces from other
    nations due to resistance by militia units and sniper fire. Although
    Aideed has not yet been arrested, the June 17 operation accomplished the
    objective of securing Aideed's compound and neutralizing military
    capabilities that had posed a major obstacle to U.N. efforts to deliver
    humanitarian relief, facilitate political reconciliation, and promote
    national reconstruction.
        We now see renewed opportunity for UNOSOM II to move forward
    steadily towards fulfillment of the humanitarian mandate of the Security
    Council that is shared by the world community. By countering the
    lawless, unprovoked violence against U.N. peacekeepers, the United
    Nations has gone far towards preserving the credibility and security of
    peacekeeping forces in Somalia and throughout the world. United States
    forces remain on guard along with those of our U.N. partners to counter
    any threats to the important U.N. mission in Somalia, should they arise.
        As before, I remain committed to ensuring that the Congress is kept
    fully informed on U.S.

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    peacekeeping contributions and the use of U.S. Armed Forces for these
    vital purposes. I look forward to continuing discussions and close
    cooperation with you on these and related issues.
        Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    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.