
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, August 24, 1993                   TAG: 9308240274
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

MORE AMERICAN TROOPS TO BE SENT TO SOMALIA

The Clinton administration will send 400 more U.S. troops to Somalia to reinforce American soldiers in the strife-torn African country, administration and defense officials said Monday night.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed a report by CBS News that the additional troops were being sent to join the 1,200 American troops in a quick-response force under U.S. command in Somalia. The new deployment was disclosed a day after six American soldiers narrowly escaped death when a mine exploded beneath their truck.

A defense official said the troops from the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment were being sent to help deal with "the level of violence in Mogadishu."

The official denied that the troops were being deployed as a result of Sunday's mine explosion, saying "it has actually been in the works for several weeks."

- Associated Press

by CNB