U.N. OKs African Force In Somalia

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday authorized an African force to protect Somalia's government against an increasingly powerful Islamic militia, hoping to restore peace and avert a broader conflict in the region.

The U.S. resolution, co-sponsored by the council's African members, also partially lifts an arms embargo on Somalia so the regional force can be supplied with weapons and military equipment and train the government's security forces.

At the same time, it threatens targeted sanctions against others violating the arms embargo.

The resolution also urges the Islamic movement that has taken control of the capital and most of southern Somalia in recent months to stop any further military expansion and join the government in peace talks. It threatens Security Council action against those who block peace efforts or attempt to overthrow the government. No measures were mentioned, but they could include sanctions.

The arms embargo against Somalia was imposed in 1992, a year after warlords overthrew dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on one another. A government was formed two years ago with the help of the U.N., but it has struggled to assert its authority against the Islamic militants.

Critics of the resolution, including some non-governmental organizations, accuse the Security Council of taking sides in the dispute between the government and the Islamic movement, which the U.S. has accused of harboring al Qaeda suspects.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the United States, like many other countries, is concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Somalia and the possibility of a wider regional conflict. He said the regional force would be "a key element in preventing conflict."

"I think we're siding with the people of Somalia who definitely need relief from the conflict that's been going on for far too long," he said.

Somalia's deputy U.N. ambassador, Idd Bedel Mohamed, thanked the U.S. and Bolton for taking the initiative to deploy a force.

"The primary purpose of this resolution is to support the legitimate government in Somalia so it can stabilize the situation in that country," he told reporters after the vote.

He said the Somali government is willing to negotiate with the Islamic Courts movement if it gives up its mission take over the country and ensures that Somalia does not become a haven for terrorists.

There are fears that Somalia could become a proxy battleground for Ethiopia and Eritrea, which fought a border war in 1998-2000.

A confidential U.N. report obtained recently by The Associated Press said 6,000-8,000 Ethiopian troops were in Somalia or along the border, supporting the transitional government. It also said 2,000 soldiers from Eritrea were inside Somalia, supporting the Islamic militia — which Eritrea denies. Mohamed insisted only a small number of Ethiopians are training its security forces.

The resolution authorizes a seven-nation East African group known as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, or IGAD, and the African Union to establish "a protection and training mission in Somalia" for an initial period of six months.

It lifts the arms embargo on Somalia so the force can by supplied with weapons and military equipment and engage in technical training.

The resolution bans Somalia's neighbors from sending soldiers — a provision demanded by European members of the Security Council who want to ensure the force's aim is to promote peace.

The ban would prohibit participation in the force by troops from Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya — but not Uganda, which is the only country thus far to volunteer troops.

Council diplomats said IGAD envisions a force of eight battalions, each with 700 to 800 troops, but only two would be deployed in the first phase.

"For years now, this country has felt abandoned by the international community," said U.N. Ambassador Basile Ikouebe of the Republic of Congo, which currently holds the African Union presidency. "We invite all states, in particular neighboring countries, to strictly respect this resolution and to respect the arms embargo."