[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 Almost all U.S. military forces were withdrawn from Somalia 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withdrawn on September 15, 1994.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.