Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 19, 1993 TAG: 9311190025
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MOGADISHU, SOMALIA LENGTH: Medium
In a clear recognition of Aidid's authority, U.S. special envoy Robert Oakley met with the powerful faction leader. A botched and bloody raid against Aidid's forces led to a painful reassessment by the Clinton administration of U.S. involvement in Somalia and other U.N. peacekeeping missions.
Militiamen with rocket-propelled grenades and automatic rifles guarded Aidid as his van drove into a marketplace for his faction's weekly "peace" rally. Crowds pressed around the van, women danced to the sound of drums and people beat the sand with their hands.
The celebration came two days after the U.N. Security Council lifted an arrest warrant and reward offer of $25,000 for Aidid's capture. It was issued in June after militiamen of his clan faction were blamed for attacks that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.
The search for Aidid in his southern Mogadishu stronghold had effectively stopped after a fierce battle in early October killed 18 American soldiers and more than 300 Somalis.
In ordering a new inquiry into attacks on U.N. peacekeepers, the Security Council also suggested Tuesday that 35 of Aidid's men would be released soon. The vote recognized that a political solution required the participation of Aidid and his Somali National Alliance along with other factions.
"He obviously has a lot of power in Mogadishu," Oakley told reporters after meeting with Aidid before the rally. "The United States realized we made a mistake getting involved. . . . I'm glad to see the U.N. Security Council changed course."
At the rally, three men played electric drums and guitars as Aidid addressed the crowd in his first public appearance in more than five months.
"All Somalis must understand wartime is over. Without outside interference, all Somali factions can solve their problems among themselves," he said.
In a sign of growing U.S. popularity, Oakley's convoy was cheered when Aidid militiamen escorted it through the crowd a few minutes before the clan leader arrived.
Aidid's faction had praised President Clinton for reining in the search for Aidid and deciding to pull out the 16,000 U.S. military personnel by March 31. But questions about relations arose after faction leaders warned against the resumption of American military patrols announced this month.
"I did not hear any threats, implicit or explicit. I think the suspicion has dropped," Oakley told reporters after his meeting with Aidid.
by CNB