I REFER to the report which appeared in the South China Morning Post on June 14, concerning Somalia, headlined, ''20 killed as Pakistani UN troops open fire''. I would like to let you know the facts, which have not been reported correctly and hope that this sets the record straight for your readers.
The fact of the matter is that on June 5, under the orders of UNOSOM (UN Operation in Somalia) headquarters at Mogadishu, UN troops consisting mainly of the Pakistan contingent and about 10 American soldiers, commenced an operation to check the inventoryof the military equipment in the possession of the forces of General Farah Aideed.
This was in accordance with the Addis Ababa accord signed by all Somali groups including that of General Aideed. It must be remembered that no provocation whatsoever was offered by the Pakistani troops and they were mainly discharging their duties when apremeditated attack took place on them resulting in 23 being killed and 58 injured.
Subsequent incidents which took place disclosed a sinister pattern. On June 12, a hostile crowd which included armed elements advanced towards the UNOSOM forces headquarters which were being guarded by a Pakistani battalion. Some people amongst the crowdfired on Pakistani troops who returned the fire in accordance with the rules of engagement. Our information is that this resulted in injury to only one Somali.
Again on June 13, a Somali crowd converged on the UN post at kilo-meter-four roundabout in the city which included armed persons using women and children in the lead. The post was attacked with stones and warning shots failed to disperse the crowd.
At this point some men from within the crowd fired at the troops at the post and automatic weapon fire was also received by the troops from across the street. The troops on top of the building seeing physical threat to their comrades on the ground, firedat those people who were firing from within the crowd. The soldiers on the rooftop also engaged fire with those people from across the street, who were firing at the troops.
The crowd started to disperse and it was observed that three to four people fell to the ground while three to four limped away. It was also seen that some miscreants sitting across the street fired into the crowd, which could have caused casualties. Those who fell down were taken away by fellow Somalis. An inquiry is being conducted into the incident by the UN.
