Clinton Administration Considers Withdrawal of American Diplomats from Somalia

The Clinton Administration is mulling a decision to withdraw the last remaining American diplomats and marines from Somalia due to a surge in violence and the increasingly destabilized security situation. The move comes as United Nations peacekeepers are raising questions about their own usefulness in the war-torn country. The administration's senior foreign policy advisers are scheduled to meet on Friday to discuss the future of the American mission in Somalia, which could result in either replacing the marines with a contracted security force or pulling the entire American presence out.

Key Takeaways:

• The Clinton Administration is considering withdrawing the last American diplomats and marines from Somalia due to increased violence and security concerns.
• The United Nations peacekeepers have largely hunkered down inside their compound to avoid the fighting outside, calling into question their ability to create a new political structure for Somalia.
• The United Nations Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, has suggested reducing the level of troops, citing the high cost and lack of contribution to the mission.
• The security situation has worsened in recent days, with 2 Malaysian peacekeepers killed and 11 United Nations troops briefly detained earlier this week.
• American officials believe that clan leaders are stockpiling arms for what could soon be a full-scale civil war.
• More than 400 American contractors or dual citizens remain in the country working for relief organizations, the United Nations, and in other capacities.

Statistics:

• There are approximately 20 American diplomats helping the United Nations promote peace in Somalia.
• A 58-member anti-terrorist platoon of marines is scheduled to leave Somalia by August 14.
• The United Nations has approximately 18,000 troops in Somalia, including 10,000 in Mogadishu.
• More than 3,000 sailors and marines are stationed offshore as part of an amphibious force that could be responsible for evacuating Americans in an emergency.
• The radio station controlled by Gen. Mohammed Farah Aidid has broadcast increasingly strong anti-United Nations and anti-American attacks in the last two weeks.

Sources:

• "U.S. Diplomats and Marines May Be Withdrawn from Somalia," The New York Times, August 10, 1993.
• "Somalia: The Elusive Peace," The New York Times, August 9, 1993.