Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 27, 1993 TAG: 9303270127
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: UNITED NATIONS LENGTH: Medium
The decision to send 28,000 troops will be welcome news to American soldiers who have been patrolling Somalia since December and were frustrated that former President Bush's prediction of a quick in-and-out operation had been dashed.
Under an ambitious U.S.-drafted resolution, adopted unanimously by the 15 Security Council nations, the U.S.-led Operation Restore Hope will be turned over to the United Nations on May 1. Some troops now under U.S. command will remain but switch to U.N. control.
The U.N. operation, estimated to cost $1.5 billion during the first year, authorizes troops to do whatever is necessary to maintain peace, disarm Somalia's warring factions and protect relief workers.
The United Nations will launch its most far-reaching operation, virtually running the country.
"We will embark on an unprecedented enterprise aimed at nothing less than the restoration of an entire country," Madeleine Albright, the U.S. ambassador, told the Security Council.
The largest U.N. operations so far have been in former Yugoslavia, where 23,000 U.N. forces are deployed, and Cambodia, where 22,000 military and civilian personnel are stationed.
In Somalia, the world body will repatriate hundreds of thousands of refugees, clear land mines, set up a civilian police force, create political institutions, create jobs, rebuild the economy and conduct peace talks.
U.S. troops went into Somalia Dec. 9 to ward off famine in the central and southern parts of the country. Contingents from more than 20 countries joined in a force that numbered 37,000 troops at its peak.
U.S. officials had repeatedly accused the United Nations of dragging its feet in taking over the operation. U.N. officials countered that they wanted the Americans to restore order first and needed time to design a comprehensive, long-term operation.
Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali had recommended the transfer date of May 1 as well as the size of the U.N. force in a report to the Security Council on March 3. On Friday, the council approved his recommendations.
Albright hinted at the U.S. impatience in her speech. "It is time for the United Nations to resume its rightful leadership role in restoring peace in Somalia," she said.
She called the U.N. operation "probably the toughest coordination challenge of its history."
Boutros-Ghali is asking the world to send 20,000 combat troops and 8,000 support troops, taking over in phases from the American-led force.
by CNB