DATE=03/29/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-SOMALIA (L Only)

NUMBER=2-274315

BYLINE=Breck Ardery

DATELINE=United Nations

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The recent abductions of international aid workers in Somalia, are complicating plans for a United Nations peace building mission in that east African country. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: About two months ago, the U-N Security Council asked Secretary-General Kofi Annan to study the idea of an official U-N mission to Somalia that would help the transitional government achieve national reconciliation. Somalia has been without a functioning national government for many years but, with the help of neighboring Djibouti, a transitional administration was developed last year.

Despite the hopes that have been raised, the armed abductions earlier this week of 11 international aid workers has reminded U-N officials that security is still a major problem in Somalia. The workers, who had been conducting a vaccination program, were held by a militia group.

U-N spokesman Fred Eckhard says the incident illustrates the fact that conditions are not yet right for a U-N mission in Somalia.

///ECKHARD ACT///

The United Nations has repeatedly assessed the security situation in Somalia and found that, for now, security concerns remain strong, complicating prospects for any quick return of a U-N peace-building presence in the country.

///END ACT///

However, Mr. Eckhard says planning work for a peace-building mission is proceeding so that, once security conditions permit, the plan can be presented to the U-N Security Council.

The United Nations and the United States ended their peacekeeping efforts in Somalia in the mid-1990's when that country descended into chaos. However, the new transitional government says it is not requesting another peacekeeping force but just a modest U-N mission that can assist in building peace and security.

The hope is that previously warring factions in Somalia can work together and that democratic elections can be held there in 2003.(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/FC/PT

DATE= MARCH 28, 2001

TYPE= CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-274262

TITLE= SOMALIA HOSTAGES IN KENYA (L)

BYLINE= KATY SALMON

DATELINE= NAIROBI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT=

INTRO: Five international aid workers have flown out of the Somali capital Mogadishu -- one day Somali gunmen attacked an aid office and took a number of aid workers hostage. Katy Salmon reports that the United Nations is negotiating for the release of the four captives.

TEXT: The five rescued aid workers arrived at Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta airport on Wednesday night.

The three Doctors Without Borders staff were Elena Fraga and Enric Prats, from Spain and Jocelyn Pascale, from France.

Sheldon Yett from the United States and Jonathan Veitch from the UK both work for the United Nations Children's agency, UNICEF.

Mr. Veitch described Tuesday morning's attack on the Doctors Without Borders compound in Mogadishu.

///ACT ONE VEITCH///

It was pretty tense and there were a lot of bullets flying about and we were scared and hiding. And I think we were lucky there were very few casualties although five of our UNICEF guards were injured.

///END ACT///

The attack was allegedly launched by gunmen loyal to the Somali warlord Muse Sudi Yalahow.Several people were killed in the two hour gun-battle outside the compound before it was overrun and looted. The aid workers were then split up into three groups.

Mr. Veitch says he and Mr. Yett were not taken hostage.

///ACT TWO VEITCH///

We stayed most of the night in a private house in the area where the attack took place. We were rescued off the street by a good citizen of Mogadishu.

///END ACT///

Five of the aid workers were then delivered to the transitional Somali government early Wednesday morning.

Four other foreigners two British U-N security staffers and two other U-N staff from France and Belgium are still being held captive by gunmen.

Kevin Farrell, the acting humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, says the U-N is negotiating for their release.

///ACT FARRELL///

Our efforts are now concentrating on ensuring that the remaining four U-N internationals still being held in Mogadishu are released as soon as possible. The locations of these four UN employees have been identified and we have made indirect contact with them. They are all reported to be in good health. The UN is also in touch with all relevant groups whom it has felt could assist in their release.

///END ACT///

The abduction of the aid workers and the attack on the Doctors Without Borders office mark the worst outbreak of violence in Mogadishu since the establishment of a new transitional government last year. (SIGNED)

NEB/KS/KBK