The Canadian Disgrace in Somalia.

Somalia, a small country (slightly smaller than Texas - Texas, slightly larger than Somalia ) on the north east coast of Africa spanning both the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. The population of Somalia is 7,140,643 (July 1999 estimate). Not a place you'd think would bring a Canadian Regiment to it's knee's. 

Canada in 1992 volunteered it's Canadian Airborne Regiment (CAR) for peacekeeping duties with the UN in Somalia. At the outset Canada was to help with strictly humanitarian efforts in the area of Bossasso, a small town in a relatively quiet and secure area on the coast of the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. After a couple of starts and stops, misunderstandings, and changes of orders, they were assigned to Belet Huen, a much more active and violent posting.

The CAR was formed during WWII and served with distinction until it's downfall in the peacekeeping mission to Somalia. After it's return to Canada, at it's conclusion of it's tour of duty, it was disbanded, and it's members returned to their respective units in 1995.

The Canadian Airborne Regiment was a compilation of units of the Canadian Army. The CAR was supposed to be built from the the best of the best of these units. Some of the unit commanders, of course, felt that they wanted to keep their best, so did not send them to be a part of the CAR. The CAR was designed to be a frontline combat unit and was ill prepared and untrained for the type of mission involved in the efforts to restore peace in Somalia. The CAR was having major discipline problems prior to the mission in Somalia, soldiers of the CAR many in #2 commando were members of a racist movement, and proudly displayed Nazi swastikas and symbols, Ku Klux Klan symbols and the Confederate flag (the Rebel flag) in their barracks.

The government and many researchers say that this lack of discipline, lack of training, and racist background is what led to the deaths of several Somali's, including  Shidane Arone, a 16 year old Somali youth that was tortured and beaten to death by members of the Canadian Airborne Regiment on 17 March 1993. Others believe it was the frustration of being in danger almost constantly and unable to react in an effective way, the harshness of the weather and terrain, bad food and lack of supplies. I, being a Veteran of the Vietnam War, can understand. These same things were prevalent in 1969 when I was in the same position. I did not make any unauthorized killings, but I understand the rage

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