Humanitarian crisis in Somalia - letter from President George Bush; statement by U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Edward J. Perkins; United Nations Security Council resolutions - includes related article on Spokesperson Richard Boucher's statement on Zaire - Transcript

US Department of State Dispatch, Dec 14, 1992

In offering to contribute to the effort authorized by this resolution, the United States has no other objective. Once deployed, our military forces will remain in Somalia no longer than is necessary. We look forward to the early transition to an effective UN peace-keeping force. The sooner outside military forces can develop a secure environment, the sooner the Somali people can begin to reconstruct their own society. Military intervention is no substitute for political reconciliation, and that task belongs firmly in the hands of Somalis.

The Secretary General of the United Nations, the various specialized UN agencies working in Somalia, and UN Special Representative for Somalia Ambassador Ismat Kittani---now in Addis Ababa meeting with Somali representatives--have been working with tremendous dedication to provide relief to those in need. The international relief agencies and a multitude of private voluntary organizations have been in the forefront of a truly international effort to help the inhabitants of a country being ripped asunder by violence. We pay tribute to them all. We want to be at their side as partners in a humanitarian effort.

The task before the world community is challenging. Relief must be followed closely by rehabilitation and by reconstruction. The international community needs to be generous in its contributions-military, logistic, and financial--to this great humanitarian enterprise.

The United Nations and the world community may offer advice or assistance to the Somalis as they heal the wounds from years of bitter conflict. But it is for the Somali people to decide their own future. The secure environment that we will establish--and this endeavor must and will succeed--will allow Somalis to devise their own formula for reconciliation.

By acting today to provide a secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian relief to the people of Somalia, the Council has once again taken an essential step to restore international peace and security. Much else remains to be done by the Somali people, with the assistance of many agencies. The most obvious beneficiaries will be the innocent victims of anarchy and famine. Moreover, this courageous decision by the Security Council strengthens the United Nations and affirms the ideals upon which it is based.

Mr. President, the international community in the post-Cold War era is already being confronted with problems which are distinctly different from the threat that hung over us for the past 45 years. There can be no simple solution to these problems.

But in the case of Somalia, and in other cases we are sure to face in the future, it is important that we send this unambiguous message. The international community has the intent, and will, to act decisively regarding peace-keeping problems that threaten international stability.

The post-Cold War world is likely to hold other Somalias in store for us. The world will seek solutions that can be found only by nations banding together, led by the United Nations. In these endeavors, you will be able to count on the support of the United States. We must be prepared to respend--together--to solve the great moral and humanitarian challenges that lie ahead.