Moscow PRAVDA (in Russian), pg. 5

(TASS reports: “Events in Djibouti”)

According to reports from Djibouti, France has strengthened its garrison there. Crack units of gendarmes, who are to reinforce French forces numbering several thousand men, have been flown to this territory in military transport aircraft.

According to a statement by the French authorities these military measures have been taken in connection with an armed incident which took place recently in the border region between the Somali Democratic Republic and so-called French Somaliland (Djibouti).

According to a Somali Government statement French troops quartered in Djibouti invaded Somali territory with tanks, armored cars and heavy artillery and shelled the populated center of Loyada. As a result 12 border guards and customs officials were killed, 11 women and children perished and 24 peaceful citizens were wounded.

The statement points out that France used as the pretext for this attack the seizure of a French bus and its passengers by members of the national liberation front of the Somali coast. The Somali Government, the statement points out, made persistent efforts to free the passengers and was close to a peaceful solution to the conflict, of which the French authorities were informed. Despite this, however, French troops opened fire and crossed into Somali territory.

In this connection Mohamed Siad Barre, president of the Somali Supreme Revolutionary Council, sent a telegram to UN Secretary General K. Waldheim drawing attention to the explosive situation in this region and calling for measures to be taken to implement the 30th UN General Assembly’s resolutions on immediate independence for the people of so-called French Somaliland (Djibouti).

Mohamed Siad Barre demanded the immediate withdrawal of French troops and the liquidation of French military bases on the territory in the interests of preserving peace and security in this part of Africa.