Mandate for UNOSOM II revised; 'coercive methods' not to be used.

• Position: UN Operation in Somalia emphasizes nation building

A revised mandate for the UN Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) was established by the Security Council on 4 February, after carrying out a fundamental review of the political, humanitarian and security situations in the country.

"UNOSOM II is on the side of the Somali people", Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali declared in a comprehensive report to the Council. "Its only endeavour is to help the people of Somalia so that they can once again be the effective masters of their destiny."

In setting out three possible options, Mr. Boutros-Ghali said that the main focus of the UN operation i future would be on "promoting Somali initiatives in the political, security and nation-building process". Only a comprehensive mandate "would make it possible for UNOSOM 11 to create a secure environment and to accelerate its efforts to help the Somali people as they move along the process of national reconciliation and institution-building".

The Council, in unanimously adopting resolution 897 (1994), put forward a seven-point mandate, which called for: assisting the Somali parties in cooperative efforts to achieve disarmament and respect the cease-fire; protecting major ports and airports, and essential infrastructure and communications systems vital to providing humanitarian and reconstruction aid; continuing efforts to provide humanitarian relief to all in need throughout the country; assisting in reorganizing the Somali police and judicial system; helping with the repatriation and resettlement of refugees and displaced persons; assisting in the ongoing political process, which should culminate in the installation of a democratically-elected government; and providing protection for UN personnel, installations and equipment, and for non-governmental organizations providing humanitarian relief.

The Council on 18 November, in its resolution 886 (1993), had asked the Secretary-General to provide a future strategy for UNOSOM II, in the wake of five months of violent confrontations between international peace-keepers and an armed Somali faction, including a 5 June ambush of a Pakistani contingent which resulted in 24 deaths and street fighting in October during which 18 American soldiers lost their lives.

"There are unmistakable signs of fatigue among the international community as it continues to be called upon" to extend assistance to Somalia through the UN, the Secretary-General stated in his 6 January report SI]994112), issued in response to the November...