UNOSOM II takes 'decisive action' to restore peace; killing of 24 peace-keepers is biggest single UN loss ever.

• Position: United Nations Operations in Somalia - United Nations developments

Following a violent ambush of UN peace-keepers in Somalia's capital city of Mogadishu on 5 June, the UN Security Council strongly condemned the "unprovoked armed attacks", stating that they "appear to have been part of a calculated and premeditated series of cease-fire violations to prevent by intimidation" the UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) from carrying out its mandate. The incident - described as the biggest single loss incurred by a UN peace-keeping operation - resulted in the deaths of 24 Pakistani soldiers and the wounding of more than 50.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia, Admiral Jonathan Howe of the United States, in an unusually harsh statement on 12 June, said the troops were "murdered as they sought to serve the neediest people in the city".

He stated that 12 of the soldiers were helping to unload food at a feeding station "when they were foully attacked by cowards who placed women and children in front of armed men".

In resolution 837 (1993), adopted unanimously on Sunday evening, 6 June, the 15-member Council:

* Re-emphasized the crucial importance of the early implementation of the disarmament of all Somali parties, including movements and factions, and of neutralizing radio broadcasting systems "that contribute to the violence and attacks directed against UNOSOM II":

* Demanded that all Somali parties, including movements and factions, comply fully with commitments they had undertaken, in particular with their January 1993 Agreement on Implementing the Cease-fire and on Modalities of Disarmament; and

* Reaffirmed that the Secretary-General was authorized under resolution 814 (1993) to take "all necessary measures against all those responsible for the armed attacks", including those who publicly incited such attacks, "to establish the effective authority of UNOSOM II throughout Somalia, including securing the investigation of their actions and their arrest and detention for prosecution, trial and punishment".

(By resolution 814, adopted on 26 March 1993, UNOSOM II became the first UN peace-keeping operation authorized to use force under the provisions of Chapter VII of the UN Charter.)

The Council, also in resolution 837, stated that the "premeditated" attacks had been "launched by forces apparently belonging to the United Somali Congress (USC/SNA)", led by General Mohamed Farah Aidid. It requested the Secretary-General urgently to "inquire into the incident, with particular emphasis on the role of those factional leaders involved".

It also encouraged the "rapid and accelerated deployment of all UNOSOM II contingents to meet the full requirement of 28,000 men, all ranks, as well as equipment".

Member States were urged to "contribute, on an emergency basis, military support and transportation" to provide UNOSOM II the appropriate capability to "confront and deter armed attacks directed against it in the accomplishment of its mandate".

The Council reaffirmed its "commitment to assist the people of Somalia in re-establishing conditions of normal life", and stressed that the international community is involved in order "to help the people of Somalia who have suffered untold miseries due to years of civil strife".

It was "convinced that the restoration of law and order throughout Somalia would contribute to...