    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [March 1, 1995]
    [Page 283]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Deployment of United States Troops to
    Somalia
    March 1, 1995

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        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 Almost all U.S. military forces were withdrawn from Somalia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    withdrawn on September 15, 1994.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

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives, and Strom Thurmond, President pro tempore of the
    Senate.