Donald M. Payne: “I would like to comment on command and control. I have the feeling my argument will not change the minds here today, but…”

“I would like to comment on command and control. I have the feeling my argument will not change the minds here today, but as someone who traveled to Somalia four times and sincerely cares about what happens there, I would like to provide some information for the historic record of this debate. Since Somalia seems to be the genesis of the command and control issue, it would be helpful to review the events of the tragic loss of the 18 U.S. Army Rangers. It is my understanding that the U.N. Commander in Somalia was Turkish General Bir who was in charge. The operational commander was U.S. General Montgomery, who at the time reported solely to General Bir. The United States combat forces in Somalia were under the command of General Garrison who reported to General Hoar, Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command in Miami. As the Washington Post brought out in their investigative reporting, U.S. General Montgomery assigned to the U.N. command did not encourage the assault on the building were Aideed was thought to be on the day the casualties occurred. The Post reported U.S. unit commanders were saying 'our boys have cabin fever'. They want to get out where the action is. The U.S. Rangers force carried out this assault at the initiative of, and with the approval of the U.S. central command in Miami. In no way should we make the U.N. the scapegoat for this tragic incident that killed 18 of our fine young men.”