[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.