After deciding to pull all U.S. troops out of Somalia by the end of March, the Clinton administration announced Friday it will offer the country $100 million in aid at a big international conference on economic reconstruction opening in Addis Ababa later this month if its warring factions agree to make peace.
The Clinton administration has asked other aid-giving countries to make similar concrete offers to the Somalis at this meeting. The idea, officials at the United Nations say, is to encourage Somalia's warring factions to lay down their arms and accept national reconciliation by showing them they can expect a sizable amount of foreign aid if they cooperate.The new U.S. aid package was announced by Madeleine K. Al-bright, the U.S. representative at the United Nations, during a General Assembly debate on humanitarian assistance. Albright made clear that the U.S. money will only be available to those areas of the country that agree to peace.
"These funds will be used for humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation projects in those regions where progress on political reconciliation and security has been made," she said. "These funds will be made available if and only if Somalis make real progress in creating a secure environment and reconciling politically. We urge other donors to participate actively in this effort."
The aid package contains $33 million for setting up a new police force and $20 million for food.