S/PV.3229 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Security Council is meeting in response to the requests contained in letters dated'5 June 1993 from the Permanent Representatives of Pakistan and Italy to the United Nations, respectively, addressed to the President of the Security Council, documents S/25888 and S/25887. Members of the Council have before them document S/25889, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. It is my understanding that the Security Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that that is the case. There being no objection, it is so decided. Before putting the draft resolution to the vote, I shall call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements before the voting. M n (Pakistan): I wish to express my thanks to you, Sir, to the Secretary-General, to the members of the Security Council and to the numerous other delegations and members of the Secretariat who have expressed their condolences and their concern at the tragic events that occurred in ta.. Somalia yesterday. / L Pakistan will vote in favour of the draft resolution contained in document S/25889 because we have,been associated with the peace-keeping efforts of the United Nations since its inception. This is because wb regard this activity as a fundamental aspect and manifestation of our commitment to the concept of collective security and the Charter of the United Nations. I would wish to assure the members of the Council that the grave and tragic losses which we have sustained in Somalia, as a result of the deliberate actions of a bunch of murderous warlords and thugs, will in no way diminish our commitment to peace-keeping efforts of the United Nations in all parts of the world. As we are all aware, the recent heavy casualties were by far the highest ever sustained in any single incident in the history of the United Nations peace-keeping operations. And although all of us expect and know that peace-keeping exercises are never entirely free from casualties, it is fervently to be hoped that yesterday's dubious record will remain with Pakistan for a long time to come, if not in perpetuity. But this can be assured only if the Security Council now - immediately - acts with the firmness and determination that are warranted by this grave and tragic situation. Mere admonition or condemnation are not enough. The international community must act w&h swift and,decisive fairness. One of the most serious and disturbing facets of the post-cold-war international scene has been the emergence of petty warlords and dictators. Not content with inflicting the most brutal forms, of torture and oppression upon their own long-suffering and unfortunate peoples, these monstrous regional thug dictators, drunk on a combination of their own excesses and external indifference, are now beginning to challenge and defy the international community. Events in Somalia, in Bosnia, and elsewhere are testimony to this outrageous attitude, and to the murderous lengths to which these international thugs are prepared to go in order to maintain their regimes of greed, terror and oppression. For the United Nations, and for the Security Council in particular, it is imperative that we act in a manner which will swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of this murderous defiance of the Council's authority. The brave young men from Pakistan, who constitute the bulk of the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II), have gone to Somalia as men and messengers of peace, and they will remain there for that purpose for as long as is necessary. But we owe it to them, and above all to yesterday's Shaheeds, who embraced martyrdom in the cause of peace, that their sacrifice will not be in vain, and that it will lead to peace in the tortured land of Somalia. Finally, let it be remembered through the confused cloud of intolerance of all kinds, that those who embraced martyrdom on such a massive scale in Somalia yesterday were Muslims, and that the word "Islam" means "peace". Mrs. ALBRIGHT (United States of America): Yesterday's actions by certain factional leaders of the USC, resulting in many deaths and injuries to ' United Nations. forces, especially the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) forces from Pakistan, are an outrage and unacceptable. My Government offers its deepest condolences to the Government of Pakistan as well as to the families of those who were lost. These actions threaten international peace and security and must be dealt with accordingly, The United States supports today's draft resolution as the minimum required to restore the conditions for peace and reconciliation in Somalia. This Council, in a number of resolutions, leading up to resolution 814 (1993) establishing the mandate for UNOSOM II, has left no doubt about the imperative of establishing and maintaining a secure environment, Factional violence is impermissible under the terms of resolution 814 (1993). It can and will be stopped, Hostilities aimed at United Nations forces are a gross violation of paragraph 9 of that resolution which "demands that all Somali parties, including movements and factions, take all measures to ensure the safety of the personnel of the United Nations". Today's draft resolution reaffirms the existing authority of UNOSOM II to take strong and forceful action to safeguard international forces, to punish those who attack them and to restore security. Appropriate measures include the disarming and detention of persons posing a threat to United Nations forces or obstructing their operations. Those who would challenge the authority of this body to enforce its resolutions must know that we stand firm in our resolve to bring peace and reconciliation to Somalia and that they will pay a heavy price for ignoring the Council. - Mr. JESUS (Cape Verde): My delegation is deeply disturbed over the recent events in Somalia in which many United Nations Operation in Somalia UNOSOM II) soldiers from the Pakistani contingent were killed and many others were wounded. We strongly condemn these and other deliberate and criminal attacks against UNOSOM II personnel. We regard these attacks as attacks against the whole international community which should be responded to by stern and prompt United Nations I action. We believe it to be important that UNOSOM II should be given the means in personnel and military equipment to be able adequately to face the increasing ) hostilities against it and effectively to restore and maintain order in Somalia. We are therefore glad to note that the draft resolution before us addresses that concern of ours. We strongly support, in particular, the provision that commits the Secretary-General to take action to arrest, detain, prosecute, try and punish those found to be responsible for this murderous attack on UNOSOM II. The time has come for the Council to consider the mechanisms and measures to be implemented to halt and reverse the very negative trend that seems to have been set by attacks launched against United Nations forces in many conflict areas. Whether in Somalia, in Cambodia or in Bosnia, attacks against United Nations forces should be sternly condemned, and prompt and effective measures should be taken to try and punish their authors. This attack against UNOSOM II is even more regrettable and condemnable when we consider the highly commendable role being played by UNOSOM II and its personnel in maintaining peace and order in Somalia. Through its altruistic mandate, UNOSOM II has been able to stem the wave of killings in the country and establish a climate conducive to the eradication of starvation of the Somali population. We express our deep sorrow over the death of United Nations personnel, We pay our highest tribute to the Pakistani soldiers that have fallen in the line of duty in the discharge of their honourable mandate. They have made the highest sacrifice for the sole benefit of peace, stability and order in Somalia. May their sacrifice not be in vain. We express our deepest condolences to their families and to the Pakistani people and Government. We recognise, appreciate and pay special tribute to Pakistan for its dedication and commitment to the cause of United Nations peace-keeping and for the internationalist role it has been playing at the request of, and in support of, the United Nations. We also express our appreciation to all UNOSOM II contributing countries for their commitment to peace and stability in Somalia, and especially to those troops involved in this tragic incident for the valiant and responsible manner in which they behaved. My delegation wholeheartedly supports the draft resolution before us and hopes that it will be fully, promptly and effectively implemented, especially as it relates to arrest, trial and punishment of those responsible for this tragic incident. Mr. OLHAYE (Djibouti): On behalf of my delegation I wish to offer sincere sympathy and profound condolences to the delegation, the Government and the people of Pakistan, and in particular to the families of the more than 20 who were killed and the more than 50 who sustained injuries while serving the cause of peace with the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II), in that country, which is still under the intensive care of the United Nations. For a long time, Pakistan was the only country in Somalia, with a contingent of 500 peace-keeping personnel. Later, it also contributed generously to the unified task force. With the transition to UNOSOM II on 1 May, the Pakistani contingent of over 4,700 became one of the largest within the combined UNOSOM II force of over 20,000. We are very grateful to Pakistan for its continued support for United Nations efforts to restore Somalia as a functioning and credible nation. We are deeply saddened, and indeed outraged, at the resurgence of violence in Somalia. This incident represents the bloodiest clash since the United Nations troops landed to ensure the delivery of food and other humanitarian supplies and to disarm the factions that drove that country into an incurable civil war. Sadly, this incident also marks the biggest single loss ever incurred by a United Nations peace-keeping operation - not as a result of factional cross-fire, but as the result of a direct attack against the United Nations forces. This naturally underscores the permanent and continued danger the warlords and their gunmen pose to Somali society in particular and to the United Nations Operation in general. We believe the situation in Somalia calls for a careful and determined approach to disarm all factions and movements, to collect all weapons and to inculcate a sense of security. UNOSOM II has both the capacity and the authority to enforce peace in Somalia. It must therefore be tough and punish anyone who violates civilized behaviour and who unduly incites others to commit acts of intransigence and violence, We regard the draft resolution before the Council as an appropriate response to the criminal elements that recklessly attacked the United Nations forces in Mogadishu on Saturday and caused an unacceptable, incredibly high level of deaths and injuries, particularly to the Pakistani contingent. We must not condone this unwarranted hooliganism. However, so long as certain individuals or groups responsible for the loss of many lives and for the devastation of their country continue to enjoy a high profile and continue to influence events in Somalia, the United Nations is bound to be frustrated in carrying out its mandate. Let the Pakistani martyrs provide us with the spark we are missing, but which we need to peer deeper into the Somali situation, which continues to defy all our imaginations. Mr. SARDENBERG (Brazil): The delegation of Brazil was deeply shocked by the extremely serious incident yesterday in Mogadishu. Through you, Mr. President, I would like to express to the representative of Pakistan, Ambassador Jarnsheed Marker, our sincere condolences on the untimely death of. SO many valiant Pakistani soldiers on duty with the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II). I would request that those condolences be conveyed to the Pakistani Government and to the bereaved families. We are all gratqful to Pakistan for the early, active and continuing role it has played in Somalia in our common quest to re-establish peace and conditions for a normal life in that long-sufferi.ng country. My delegation believes that the Security Council cannot but strongly condemn the unprovoked armed attack directed against Pakistani soldiers as they were carrying out the mandate given to UNOSOM II. We fully support all adequate measures by the Secretary-General to enquire into this horrible incident and to prosecute, try and punish those responsible for it. Brazil supports the adoption of the draft resolution before us as an urgent response by the Security Council to yesterday's tragic incident, bearing in mind also its possible repercussions in Somalia and elsewhere. We believe this will be an action-oriented resolution containing a strong message to all those responsible for armed attacks against United Nations peace-keepers.

I shall now put to the vote the draft resolution contained in document S/25889. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Djibouti, France, Hungary, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has thus been adopted unanimously as resolution 837 (1993). I shall call now on those members wishing to make statements following the voting. delegation was shocked to learn that some 20 Pakistani personnel of the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) had been tragically killed in unprovoked attacks by armed Somali bandits. This gravely alarmed the entire international community. The Chinese delegation, with deep grief and righteous indignation, strongly condemns this barbarous atrocity committed against the personnel of UNOSOM II. I wish to take this opportunity to extend to the Permanent Mission of Pakistan and, through it, to the Government and the people of Pakistan and to the bereaved families, our profound condolences and heartfelt sympathy. At the same time we would like to express our admiration of the courage and loyalty displayed by the deceased soldiers. The Chinese delegation strongly demands that the Secretary-General investigate this incident forthwith. We support UNOSOM II taking practical and effective measures immediately to protect the lives and safety of its personnel. Meanwhile, we demand in the strongest terms that the various factions in Somalia strictly comply with the relevant Security COUnCil resolutions and cease forthwith all hostilities and violent acts against United Nationi peace-keeping personnel. In order to end the war in Somalia, alleviate the suffering of the Somali people, establish a safe environment for humanitarian relief and restore peace and stabili'ty in that war-torn country, large numbers of United Nations peace-keeping personnel from all corners of the world have been deployed in the Horn of Africa, where they have made tremendous efforts and sacrifices in the face of enormous difficulties and at the risk of their lives. Such heroic deeds are truly worth; of the expectations and trust of the international community. We are convinced that their blood has not been shed in vain. On the day the Somali people, in jubilation, celebrate real peace, they will not forget the invaluable contributions to the cause of peace made by these peace-keeping personnel with their dear lives. The Chinese Government maintains its constant position on the question of Somalia. The final solution of the Somali question lies with the Somali people themselves. We sincerely hope that all the Somali factions will bear in mind the fundamental interests of the Somali people, cooperate with UNOSOM II and resolve their disputes through dialogue and consultation so as to achieve genuine national reconciliation and continue their efforts for an early political settlement of the Somali conflict. Mr. ARRIA (Venezuela) (interpretation from Spanish)r The resolution we have just adopted is not confined to condemning the crime against the international community, represented so worthily in Somalia by the valiant troops of Pakistan, victims of an ambush apparently perpetrated by factions of the so-called Somali National Assembly, undoubtedly instigated and encouraged publicly by Aidid himself. This is but one of the many actions designed to intimidate United Nations forces to prevent them from fulfilling their mandate of restoring peace in Somalia, initiated with "Operation Restore Hope". The resolution, in reaffirming the mandate of the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II), goes beyond condemnation and requests the Secretary-General, through the force commander, to arrest, detain and put on trial those responsible for the attacks as well as those who used radio transmissions - members of the Aidid faction - to incite publicly these cowardly attacks. Aidid is nationally and internationally recognized as primarily responsible for the destruction of Somalia and for thousands upon thousands of crimes against his people. The absence of any judicial machinery has permitted him so far to continue to act with total impunity, in spite of the crimes for which he is responsible and for which he will have to answer one day. With the confirmation of his responsibility for the attacks against UNOSOM II, however, his impunity will have come to an end, because the Secretary-General, apart from ordering his arrest and detention, will be able to proceed to trying him so that he may later be punished appropriately. This crime against the peace-keeping force of the United Nations, along '. with those committed against the United Nations Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia and the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, in Cambodia, establishes dangerous precedents if the international community is unable to take the measures we have agreed upon today. The international community cannot permit the troops of countries that have so generously contributed to peace-keeping operations to become the targets of warring factions, as in the case before us today. It is clear that the process of disarming the factions - as was so heavily emphasized in the Council, especially by the Secretary-General himself - must be concluded, because it is urgent to reactivate this indispensable stage in what promises to be a long process of peacemaking, We owe this first of all to the suffering people of Somalia, who want peace, and also to those Members of the United Nations that have generously contributed to UNOSOM II. One of the noblest and most magnanimous dimensions of the United Nations is represented by those who made up the peace-keeping operation. With the adoption of this resolution, it is clear that the international community will not allow these criminal acts to be committed with impunity. It is a warning also to those in Cambodia and in the former Yugoslavia, who think that they will never have to answer for their crimes. Finally, my dele$ation would like to express its profound admiration to the Government of Pakistan for the determination expressed today through its representative, Ambassador Jamsheed Marker, that these criminal acts will in no way affect its determination,to serve the cause of peace. Mr. O'BRIEN (New Zealand): We condemn these deplorable and unprovoked attacks in Somalia. Like others who have spoken this afternoon, we extend sympathy and condolences to Pakistan and to the families of those who were lost. These tragic events certainly stress yet again the importance of the Council declaring clearly that such attacks on United Nations personnel are unacceptable, wherever they occur and by whomsoever they are committed: and that the United Nations has the authority and will enhance that authority to bring such malefactors who menace United Nations personnel to justice by due process of law. This is a position to which New Zealand attaches greatest significance. The very range and complexity of United Nations peace-keeping commitments in these times compels this Council to provide explicit assurances for all United Nations personnel, military and civilian, who go in harm's way. The statement contained in the resolution that we have just adopted should, we think, enhance the basis of security of all United Nations personnel. And New Zealand, which has itself personnel deployed in Somalia, is very conscious of the exemplary role played by Pakistan right from the outset in thdt country. This resolution is one, therefore, that we commend, because it will help all of those personnel. It is a resolution adopted for their sake, aLthough it cannot itself provide consolation to Pakistan in this time of tragic loss, Mr, LADSOUS (France) (interpretation from French): The Council is meeting today following a very sad.event, since it was on 5 June that 22 Pakistani Blue Helmets lost their lives in Somalia and several dozens were 4 wounded, Please allow mer at the very outset, to pay tribute to those men, who were carrying out in Somalia a mission of peace and national reconciliationd I should also like to extend my sincere condolences to the people and Government of Pakistan on this tragedy. Furthermore, I should like to salute the determination with which Pakistan has indicated that it intends to continue to pursue the mission conferred upon it by the United Nations in that part of Africa, as well as elsewhere in the world. When the Council decided to intervene in Somalia, it did SO to lend assistance to hundreds of thousands of people threatened by starvation and the acts of extortion by armed gangs. Since the United Nations intervention, this situation has clearly improved. Numanitarian assistance was distributed to those Somalians who needed it: factions have been partially disarmed: and the process of reconciliation has been launched. Nevertheless, we must note‘ that this peaceful evolution, which made it possible to save thousands of lives, has not been accepted by all parties. This is the case, in particular, of the faction headed by General Aidid, whose responsibility in the tragedy that took place yesterday is confirmed by information we have received from both the Secretariat and our own national sources. What has just taken place in Somalia is unacceptable and requires from the Council the strongest possible reaction. The resolution that we have just adopted is fully in accord with this objective, My delegation is pleased that this resolution goes beyond mere condemnation and that it affirms the necessity for putting into practice concrete measures. The United Nations Operation in Somalia is, in effect, entrusted with adopting all necessary measures against those responsible and (Mr. Ladsous, France) also with neutralising their media, whose propaganda, as we know, played a decisive role in the unfolding of the tragedy that took place on 5 June. Twenty-two soldiers of peace died yesterday. The guilty parties are kno.wn. Let them now bear the consequences of their acts. the attacks on United Nations personnel in Mogadishu yesterday, in particular the deliberate premeditated ambush of members of the Pakistani contingent, We extend our condolences and sympathy to members of the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) and to the Government and the people of Pakistan. We express our admiration for 'the determination and resolve with which UNOSOM II has responded to these attacks, and for the particular contribution of Pakistan to United Nations peace-keeping both in Somalia since the beginning of UNOSOM and more widely. It was the warlords who created the situation in which the United Nations had to come to the assistance of the people of Somalia, It was they who refused to permit the distribution of aid to the starving. It was they who destroyed the institutions of government and public life in Somalia. The United Nations has for many months now been embarked on the task of gradually restoring order to Somalia. The humanitarian situation is improved, efforts to achieve political reconciliation have begun. The country has dropped out of the headlines. Yesterday's events have turned the world's attention once again to Somalia. Today's resolution sends as clear a signal as one could hope that the international community will not tolerate renewed attempts by the warlo.rds in Somalia to challenge UNOSOM in the exercise of its mandate. It provides for the use of all necessary measures against those responsible, whether directly or indirectly, for yesterday's attacks, It looks to their arrest and detention for prosecution, trial and punishment, The Security Council has moved quickly to respond to yesterday's outrage. The warlords of the United Somali Congress (USC), at their head General Aidid, whose last throe we must hope this is, have to understand that the United Nations will not be diverted from its purpose in Somalia, any more than in the other theatres in which United Rations peace-keeping forces are currently committed. That is the clear message of this resolution, which has the full support of my Government. Mr. VORONTSOV (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The Russian delegation learned with great indignation the news of the deliberate and broad-based attack on the peace-keeping forces of the United Nations in Somalia. We request the Permanent Representative of Pakistan, Ambassador Marker, to convey our deepest condolences to the people and the Government of Pakistan, and particularly to the bereaved families of the United Nations peace-keepers from Pakistan. We voted with satisfaction for the strong resolution just adopted with regard to the crime committed in Somalia. In connection with the increasing attacks recently on United Nations personnel in carrying out peace-keeping operations, whether in Somalia, B,osnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, or other parts ofsthe world, the Russian delegation believes it necessary for the Security Council to give special consideration to the question of defending Unite,d Nations personnel from such premeditated . attacks. With this in mind, the Russian delegation will shortly present to members of the Council concrete proposals and ideas about such crimes against the international community.

I shall now make a statement as the representative of Spain. Yesterday's events in Mogadishu, which cost the lives of at least 22 Pakistani soldiers members of the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II), were the most serious in many years to have affected United Nations personnel serving on peace missions, and consequently have shocked us all. It is with special feeling that I want, above.all, and on behalf of the Spanish Government, to convey our deep condolences to the Government and the people of Pakistan, and also to the bereaved families of the victims, who made the supreme sacrifice of their lives in the service of the international community, peace, stability, and the well-being of the people of Somalia. I should also like to recall the words of the representative of Pakistan which reflect the determination and resolve of his country in its commitment to the and maintenance of peace within the framework of the United Nations in Somalia elsewhere; they deserve our admiration and praise. This incident should be rebuffed most resolutely and calls for the Un ited Nations adoption of vigorous measures to punish those responsible and to prevent any repetition of similar actions, as is so correctly pointed out in the resolution we have just adopted. The mandate of UNOSOM II, in accordance with Security Council resolution 814 (1993), authorizes the Secretary-General to adopt such measures as would lead to the detention, prosecution and punishment of those responsible for cease-fire violations and undermining the security of United Nations forces, UNOSOM II should, therefore, take all necessary measures to prevent similar actions in the future by disarming the factions and neutralizing the means of communication which incite violence in that country. (The President) This grave incident makes very clear the fragility of the situation which still persists in Somalia and hence the need to ensure the deployment of all the contingents scheduled for UNOSOM II and to provide them with sufficient military means for the effective fulfilment of their mandate. We hope very soon to receive complete and updated information from the Secretary-General with regard to the implementation of Security Council resolution 837 (1993) and also with regard to the development of the entire United Nations Operation in Somalia. Now that we have the largest deployment of United Nations peace-keeping operations in history, it is necessary to give them all the necessary means to carry out appropriately the tasks with which they have been entrusted. The reaction to this incident on the part of the Security Council is proof that the United Nations is determined to be respected when it comes to restoring peace in situations of violence and anarchy such as, unfortunately, is the case in Somalia. We express the sincere wish to see resolution 837 (1993) immediately and effectively implemented, thus serving as a warning to all those who threaten or harass the peace-keeping forces of the United Nations in any part of the world. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. There are no further names inscribed on the list of speakers. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council will remain seized of the matter. The meetina rose at 7 p.m.