From: antbh@strix.udac.uu.se (Bernhard Helander)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.african,alt.current-events.somalia,alt.activism
Subject: Somalia News Update, Vol 2, No 1
Date: 8 Jan 93 20:42:02 GMT
Organization: Uppsala University
NNTP-Posting-Host: strix.udac.uu.se

In this issue:
CHAOS AT THE ADDIS MEETING
U.S. CHOPPERS STAGE AIR STRIKES ON AYDIID'S POSITIONS 
SWEDISH HOSPITAL TROOPS DEALAYED BY US ATTACK
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               S O M A L I A  N E W S  U P D A T E  


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Vol 2, No 1            January 8, 1992.               ISSN 1103-1999  

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Somalia News Update is published irregularly via electronic mail and 
fax. Questions can be directed to antbh@strix.udac.uu.se or to fax 
number +46-18-151160. All material is free to quote as long as the 
source is stated. 
____________________________________________________________________ 


CHAOS AT THE ADDIS MEETING

(SNU, Uppsala) Total confusion reigns at the meeting in Addis Ababa 
between representatives for 14 of the military factions. A communique 
is expected later on today, but, says one UN official, "it won't be 
earth-shattering". Although the conference's mandate was to simply 
outline the conditions for the real round of negotiations the 
representatives have found it hard to agree on anything. The only 
substantial agreement is the preparatory committee for the 
negotiations, for obvious reasons, should not be called a "technical 
committee".
    Most of the factions represented have argued for the next meeting 
to be held in April. However, SPM are said to favour the 10th of 
February. Despite previous communiques that all factions favour to 
have their next meeting in Mogadishu, the general impression of 
observers is that it will take place in Addis Ababa. 
    The UN's involvement in the talks have been limited to 
photocopying press statements and paying the bills. As the conference 
had to be prolonged by two days the Ethiopian government apparently 
voluntered to pick up one day's worth of the escalating hotel bills. 
   The UN euphemism for the warlord's gangs is "political parties". 
Apparently. some of the delagates have enjoyed their stay in the 
fancy Addis hotel. "Ali Mahdi's people couldn't wait to see the 
Marines' firestorm on CNN", says a UN source.
   No one seems to be expecting anything to come out of these talks. 
"The meeting", says a UN source, "abounds with mordant jokes about 
seeing each other againg in Uganda in 1997 for the next round of 
Somalia peace talks". 


U.S. CHOPPERS STAGE AIR STRIKES ON AYDIID'S POSITIONS 

(MOGADISHU, Somalia) - U.S. attack helicopters fired rockets at clan 
positions in Mogadishu early Thursday after U.S. troops were spurned 
in an attempt to confiscate armor and artillery. Cobra AH-1 gunships 
could be seen firing missiles into buildings in northern Mogadishu, 
targeting positions held by Gen. Mohamed Farrah Aidid, one of 
Somalia's two main warlords.
    The fighting appeared the most significant involving troops of 
Operation Restore Hope since they landed in Mogadishu on Dec. 9 and 
comes amid increasingly brazen skirmishing between gunmen from rival 
Somali factions.
    U.S. Marines had demanded that Aidid's forces surrender armor and 
artillery from a base in the northern suburbs, but they refused, 
Marine spokesman Col. Fred Peck told CNN. He said the Marines were 
''sending a message'' that they won't tolerate the rising lawlessness 
of recent days.
    On Wednesday, a Marine patrol came under sniper fire in the area, 
and Peck said the local Aidid garrison had been told in advance that 
U.S. Marines would be paying them a visit first thing  Thursday 
morning to confiscate weapons.
    Ali Mohamed Aden, a U.N. Children's Fund spokesman, said shots 
were exchanged between clan fighters and U.S. troops and Somali 
sources said there were casualties.
    It couldn't be immediately determined who suffered the 
casualties.
    The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one of the 
targets was a former war college where Aidid had stockpiled weaponry.
    Shortly after dawn, rocket explosions thundered through the city 
as the Cobras fired several missiles at ground targets. Choppers 
continued to patrol the city well into the morning.
    Thursday's U.S. military operation appeared at least partly aimed 
at quelling criticism of a rapidly deteriorating security situation. 
The capital was relatively peaceful in the first few weeks after the 
Marines landed in Mogadishu to try to restore order to a chaotic land 
and stop the hijacking of food shipments intended for the starving.
    But Somalia's gunmen have been emboldened by the U.S.-led force's 
unwillingness to confiscate most weaponry in a country teeming with 
heavily armed militiamen and freelance bandits. Looters, clan 
fighters and gangs in this city are testing the limits of the U.S. 
mission as never before.
    U.S.-led forces came to the country to ensure the safe delivery 
of food and medicine for what Bush administration officials have 
characterized as a short-term mission. The U.S.-led force would then 
be replaced by a U.N. police force. But U.N. Secretary-General 
Boutros  Boutros-Ghali and many Western relief agency officials say 
that if the Americans don't disarm Somalia's warring factions the 
country will quickly return to anarchy and starvation deaths will 
rise dramatically.


SWEDISH HOSPITAL TROOPS DEALAYED BY US ATTACK

(SNU, Uppsala). The Swedish hospital troops awoke suddenly Thursday 
morning as the US Cobras opened fire at the baracks of Aydiid less 
than one kilometre from the Swedish camp in the Northwestern part of 
Mogadishu.  
    Meanwhile at Stockholm Airport (Arlanda) the USAF Galaxy 
allocated for the transport of the bulk of the Swedish staff and 
equipment was delayed pending a go-ahead from the Swedish commander 
in Mogadishu. The official reason was "engine difficulties". However, 
a mechanic at Arlanda denied that there was any problems with the 
plane.
   The hospital and the camp will now be fortified with sandbags, 
according to a  military spokesman in Sodertalje, Sweden.


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Posted by Bernhard Helander in Uppsala, Sweden.