November 17th 1993
London BBC World Service “Focus on Africa” program (in English) — 1705 GMT
The United Nations Security Council has radically changed its policies on Somalia, and especially United Nations campaign in Mogadishu against faction leader General Aidid. He was held responsible for the deaths of Pakistani and American troops serving with the United Nations force UNOSOM (United Nations Operation in Somalia]. A warrant for his arrest was put out and he has been in hiding ever since, claiming it has all been in self-defense and demanding the release of his supporters being detained by the United Nations. Now the Security Council has gone into reverse, suspending the arrest warrant and calling for a commission of inquiry in the deaths. On the line to Rome, Raggy Omar asked (Nikalina Mohamed), spokesman for Gen. Aidid’s Somali National Alliance, SNA, if they have now got what they wanted from the United Nations:
[Begin recording]
[Omar] So, would Gen. Aidid be effectively coming out of hiding now, since the hunt for him seems to be off as a result of this resolution?
[Mohamed] Definitely yes. Tomorrow, he is going to hold a press conference. He is going to address the Somali people and the SNA supporters and I am sure, he will also inform the world community that we are very happy that at last, justice is being brought back and that in Somalia, there is no war between the UN and the Somali people.
[Omar] But, will he actually be coming out and seeking to meet UN and U.S. officials in Mogadishu? Will he make himself this public?
[Mohamed] He will make himself available for any meeting with the Americans, in particular, and with the UNOSOM as soon as those people for whom there is a reference in the resolution and who have been imprisoned for no reason, those people must be released. The SNA leaders must be released promptly. After that, then, he will be also ready to have a dialogue with the UN officials.
[End recording]
FBIS-AFR-93-221, 18 Nov. 1993, pp. 3-4
The Somali History Archive 