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Security Council Number 5 Somalia 1992ChinaThe Decision in Somalia

The decision in Somalia that the Security Council was concerned with in 1992

stems from a multitude of issues and is relevant globally in a variety of ways. Theinternational community at this point in time was just beginning to shift their eyestowards the deteriorating state of Somalia due to the recent dissolution of the Union ofSoviet Socialist Republics as well as the Bosnian War.

Once credence was given to Somalia, it became very clear that United Nationspresence, as well as that of many other international organizations, was not only advisedbut necessary. This issue is one that the international community as a whole wasconcerned with due to the state of humanitarian affairs in Somalia. The InternationalCommittee of the Red Cross found that in southern Somalia 40 percent of the peoplewere severely malnourished and another 50 percent were moderately malnourished.Moreover, warring factions saw control of food as a military asset which preventeddeliveries of food and other humanitarian relief supplies by the United Nations and

bilateral aid agencies, as well as by NGOs. Furthermore, there were a number ofservices and institutions integral to a functioning society that had collapsed during thedeterioration of Somalia. Among these are non-functional water and sanitation systems,nonexistent local government, vacuous country schools, and a twenty-four percent rateof functioning hospitals and clinics, most of which did not have the medicines andequipment necessary.

The United Nations is deeply involved in Somalia, particularly in the field ofhumanitarian assistance. In accordance with recommendations by Boutros Boutros-Ghali the United Nations Security Council has passed two resolutions to help allay theissues in Somalia. On 23 January, the Security Council adopted Resolution 733 whichurged all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities promote reconciliation and facilitatethe delivery of humanitarian assistance. Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United

Nations, a general and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and militaryequipment to Somalia was imposed.

Paralleling this is Resolution 746 which supported Boutros Boutros-Ghalisdecision to send a technical team to Somalia. General Aidid and Mr. Ali Madhi bothsigned agreements on 27 and 28 March, respectively, on processes to facilitate andmonitor the cease-fire and equitably distribute humanitarian assistance and aidthroughout Mogadishu. From this point, the United Nations was to send fifty militaryobservers to Mogadishu (twenty-five to the North and twenty-five to the South) as well asan amount of security personnel to be decided on at a later date. Furtherance to theUnited Nations mandate was the recommendation to send five-hundred infantry toprovide security for relief personnel, equipment and supplies at Mogadishus post andairport and to escort the relief supply convoys.

China has long supported a level of international peace that affords all people ofthe world the same security that its citizens have. The situation in Somalia is one thatrequires assistance from the international community but requires commitment from theresident leaders to assure success.

In light of this, China has supported paragraph five of Resolution 733 and issueda circular dated 3 January 1991, stipulating that all Chinese departments concerned andarms trade companies must stop delivering to Somalia any kind of military equipmentand spare parts. As of 10 February 1992, the Chinese departments concerned have

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strictly abided by the Chinese Governments stipulations. The Chinese Government hasstrictly observed the provisions in paragraph six and has refrained from any action whichmight contribute to increasing tension and to impeding or delaying a peaceful andnegotiated outcome to the conflict in Somalia. Due to such reasons as the turbulentsituation in Somalia and since security is not guaranteed, the Chinese Government hasnot yet started its humanitarian assistance to Somalia.

Pursuant to Chinas commitment to international peace, China supportsresolution 746 which will allay fears of a lack of security for humanitarian efforts inSomalia. China supports the deployment of a technical team to monitor efforts outlinedin paragraphs seventy-three and seventy-four of the Secretary Generals report asoutlined in paragraph six of the resolution. Should the technical team report anincreased level of security in Somalia, and specifically Mogadishu, China will commencehumanitarian aid pursuant to paragraph nine of Security Council Resolution 733. Shouldthe cease-fire agreements be discovered to be noncompliant, China proposes a peace-keeping force be deployed in Somalia. China acknowledges the needs of theinternational community and the United Nations in regards to financial and militaryresources and pledges to commit an appropriate amount of resources to facilitatepeaceful resolution of the conflict. China does not support unnecessary loss of life and

resources and, as such, will require commitments of similar kind from no less then theother permanent members of the Security Council. A commitment of this kind from atleast these five members will allay Chinas reticence about involvement of this kind.China also requests additional agreements between Mr. Ali Madhi and General Aidid inregards to this situation and their continued commitment to its success.

China recognizes the need for international involvement in the situation that isunfolding in Somalia but is reluctant to commit resources until such time as all priorrequirements are met.