From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:SOMALIA: Clinton urged to strengthen peacekeeping
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 23:11:34 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1993, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: SOMALIA: Clinton urged to strengthen peacekeeping


washington, jan 19 (ips) -- a relief group which has been
working in somalia is urging the incoming bill clinton
administration to widen the peace-keeping process in somalia.

the washington-based 'bread for the world' outlined a series
of recommendations tuesday, as a contingent of 850 u.s. marines
left mogadishu for the united states.

sharon pauling told ips that 'bread for the world' is calling
for ''a sufficient number of u.s. troops'' to remain in the east
african nation to push forward the reconstruction of the
embattled nation to go forward.

the returning troops, which are scheduled to arrive in california
wednesday, are the first to leave somalia since the u.s.-led
operation began with u.n. approval dec. 9.

reports from somalia say troops have also begun to load
vehicles onto the amphibious support ship, m.v. phillips, which
is scheduled to depart mogadishu friday.

the 'washington post' tuesday quoted u.s. military officials
as saying that the departures are not expected to alter, to any
great extent, the u.s. military presence in somalia.

but according to the paper, a senior military official has
cautioned that the action is meant to convey to the united nations
the message: ''we're not here forever''.

the 'post' reported that ''incremental withdrawals'' are to
follow this first departure of troops.

'bread for the world' recommends that the new u.s.
administration adopt a four-pronged approach in somalia, where
clan rivalries and heavy drought have taken thousands of lives.

according to pauling, the peace-keeping process should be
widened to incorporate elders, women, politicians and
professionals -- ''all the folks who don't have guns,'' as a way
of minimising the power of the militia.

she also called on the clinton administration to set up a
fund to finance the reconstruction of transportation systems,
hospitals, schools, and to restore agricultural production.

'bread for the world' also wants the process of disarming
rival factions to continue. ''and beyond disarmament, there
needs to be concrete steps to curb the trade in arms,'' said
pauling. (more/ips)

somalia: clinton urged to strengthen peacekeeping(2-e)

somalia: clinton (2)

the organisations sees the strengthening of
institutions at the local level as a final step in the
rehabilitation process.

the 'post' tuesday cited arguments by u.n. secretary-general
boutros boutros-ghali that the u.s.-led coalition should do more
to help bring peace to somalia before they hand the operation
over to u.n. peace-keepers.

but the paper said the stand had irked u.s. military
commanders who say the forces have almost achieved their goal of
providing security for food distribution for relief workers.

according to the paper, u.s. officials accuse the u.n. head
of deliberately stalling the transfer to u.n. peace-keeping
troops because of the anticipated financial and political costs
of the mission.

pauling warned that the new administration should know that
the united nations can only do as much as the united states and
other powers allow.  ''the world community needs to decide whether
it wants the body to be effective,'' she said.

u.s. military commanders say military operations in at least
six of eight humanitarian relief zones in somalia could be
transferred to u.n. command by month's end. they cite two
remaining trouble-spots: mogadishu, the scene of factional
violence; and kismaayo, a port city isolated because of bad
roads. (end/ips/yjc/jemg/93)