The second dropped leaflet received a lot of print and newspaper coverage when some linguists claimed that the text was an insult to the Somalis. The front has no text and is a handsome full-color depiction of an American soldier and a Somali citizen shaking hands. These leaflets were regularly dropped two to three days before UNITAF forces arrived in a Somali town. Once again, armed humvees and helicopters are in the background. The back depicts the flag of the United Nations and the United States. The official translation of the text is, “The forces of the world (United Nations) are here to assist in the international relief effort for the Somali people. We are prepared to use force to protect the relief operation and our soldiers. We will not allow interference with food distribution or with our activities. We are here to help you.” This leaflet is found in three variations. In the first, two United Nations flags are on the back. In the second, a US flag is barely visible beneath the text.
The San Francisco Chronicle of 12 December 1992 said about this leaflet, “The Marines are here, and they may need a few good men who can translate. A leaflet the U.S. forces are using to win over the Somali people bears an almost incomprehensible message, muddled by at least three misspelled words, one word that does not exist and poor syntax…the first word is the most noticeable error. It was supposed to read ‘aduunka’ or ‘world’ in the phrase ‘world forces.’ The word appears as ‘adoonka,’ which means slave.”
Lieutenant Colonel Charles P. Borchini, Commander, 8th PSYOP Battalion, remarked:
This error was a result of poor communications and a failure to double check the final product before we printed it. We sent a facsimile of the English message to Norfolk where the sailor (a native-borne Somali who left home at age of twelve) was based; after he translated it into Somali and sent a facsimile of the translation, we then typed the leaflet into our computer. After the Central Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff changed some of the words, we passed the changes verbally over the telephone to the sailor, and received the changes to his translation back over the telephone. We then produced the leaflets. We should have sent him a facsimile of the final product before we printed it.
Of the 37 leaflets prepared during the UNITAF phase of the Somalia intervention, many featured standard PSYOP themes. Some of these themes are the number of Allied forces in the coalition occupying a nation, the rebuilding (consolidation) of the nation, the prohibition against weapons, warning against touching mines and bombs, the prohibition against looting, and a general call for law and order among the populace. Some of the standard leaflet themes that we do not find are rewards for individuals or weapons and safe conduct passes. In general, the leaflets are crude with most in printed in just one or two colors.
S3
An example of the number of allied forces of the coalition is leaflet S3. The leaflet depicts an Allied soldier (probably an Australian from the cut of his uniform and his "boonie" hat) shaking hands with a Somali on the front, and the flags of the 21 nations above and below the vignette. The Australians namesd this campaign Operation Solace. They sent about 1,200 men, 1 Royal Australian Regiment Battalion Group, an Australian HQ and the HMAS Tobruk.
The leaflet is found with two different texts on the back. Both mention prohibited weapons. The text is:
UNITAF – SOMALIA. These weapons are prohibited in Baidhabo. Light and heavy machine guns and mortars. Armored cars with weapons on them (technicals). A person cannot carry weapons (of any type) without permission. If one of these weapons is seen, it will be confiscated immediately. Killing and looting of the humanitarian aid will not be tolerated. UNITAF have orders to use force if they think they are being threatened.
Notice the use of the term "technical." The Technical is the most significant symbol of power in southern Somalia. It is a small truck with large tripod machine guns mounted on the back. A warlord's power is measured by how many of these vehicles he has.
S15
There were numerous mine warning leaflets. S15 shows a Somali about to touch a mine. There are 23 coalition flags above and below him. Drawings of different kinds of explosives are all around the boy. Text on the front is:
Do not touch mines or explosive things. Tell someone about them.
The back depicts the boy telling two soldiers about the mines with the text:
Meaningless death. Parents please tell your children to keep away from mines and other explosive things. Tell the peace-keeping force about mines and other explosive things.
This leaflet appears in several variations with different colors. It was printed with fronts and backs in blue, red or green.
S13
Leaflet S13 features and anti-looting theme and depicts Somalis trying to steal grain bags from an armed UNITAF convoy. Text on the back is:
Looting, stealing and throwing stones is not Somali. It is criminal. Pointing guns, (even playing or the play one) threatens everybody. The forces of UNITAF have the right to use deadly force if they feel they are threatened or if they feel they are in danger. Help us stop this behavior before someone else is wounded.
This leaflet was printed in red and green.
S28
Leaflet S28 has a nation-building theme. The front depicts Somalis and Americans working together to clean up the streets. The American drives a bulldozer. The text is:
Operation Clean Streets. The program of cleaning the streets begins 28 December 1992 from 9:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m.
The back is all text:
Operation clean streets will clean the streets and remove any items that are blocking them, such as abandoned cars, dirt, stones and other rubbish. Please remove your kiosks, your cars and any other possessions from the sides of the streets. We can rebuild Somalia together." A bulldozer was shown again on S30, this time telling the Somalis, "The UNITAF engineers who are working to help the Somali people mend the roads. Help us so that we may help you. Report mines!
The 4th PSYOP Group booklet says about these engineer leaflets:
Leaflets, posters and handbills supported several engineer projects. In December 1992 and again in March 1993, engineers cleared the streets of Mogadishu of abandoned and destroyed vehicles, downed telephone poles, and other objects that blocked the flow of traffic along major road areas. Engineers also removed sand and tons of debris that had narrowed streets. Later in the operation, Army engineers and Navy Seabees repaired or constructed over 1,200 miles of roads, drilled fourteen wells, and erected a Bailey Bridge across the Juba River near the town of Jilib. PSYOP complimented these efforts by informing the Somali people of the programs and asking them to cooperate by staying clear of the hazardous engineer equipment.
S4
Leaflet S4 features a nation-building theme and depicts Somalis farming, receiving food and building a home. The back is all text:
UNITAF's mission is to provide a secure environment for humanitarian relief efforts throughout Somalia. Initial emphasis was on securing key cities; now the focus is on expanding the security to smaller towns and villages. As they are secured, relief agencies are beginning to distribute dry food, seeds and farm utensils to help displaced families return to their farms, rebuild their homes and plant their fields. Now it is harvest time for many crops. Preparations need to be made for the next planting.
The 4th PSYOP Group booklet adds:
PSYOP supported several operations conducted by Non-Governmental Organizations or NGOs. A major problem facing Somalia is the large number of displaced persons and refugees who were forced to leave their homes during the civil war. With no reliable source of food or medical care, these groups have been very dependent on relief provided by the NGOs. The "Pastoral Scene" leaflet (S4) supported programs to encourage displaced persons and refugees to move back to their homes - when it was safe to do so - in order to harvest crops and begin planting for the next growing season. The goal of this leaflet describing specific NGO resettlement programs was to help break the cycle of dependency and encourage self sufficiency.
S25
Leaflet S25 depicts the flags of 23 nations at the top and bottom and the text:
ATTENTION MORGAN FORCES.
All forces and weapons must be moved out of the lower Juba Valley to locations north of Dobley by midnight 25 February, or risk destruction. These locations must be designated and provided to UNITAF officials on 25 February. Any forces found outside of these locations thereafter will be engaged by UNITAF forces and any weapons located will be destroyed.
Text on the back is:
The UNITAF forces are more than powerful enough to settle the military situation in the area of Kismaayo and they are prepared to do that if the Somalis cannot do it or they do not choose peace and agreement over fighting. There is no benefit in continued war between Somalis, nothing but mounting difficulties for the Somali people. The time has come for the people living in Kismaayo and the surround region to reject the path leading to war and to turn to honesty and agreement, peace and prosperity.
LTC Borchini mentions this leaflet in his article "PSYOP in Somalia: The Voice of Hope"
PSYOP also responded quickly to the repeated crisis in Kismayo. After Hersi Morgan took Kismayo in late February, Johnston and Ambassador Oakley issued an ultimatum for him to withdraw his forces to a town on the Kenyan border. The JPOTF produced and dropped leaflets informing Morgan's supporters, as well as the people of Kismayo and other major towns in the lower Juba valley, of the situation.
S8
The last leaflet we will mention is S8. This leaflet listed the prohibited weapons and aircraft dropped a version of it in all of the larger cities that UNITAF occupied. Almost identical leaflets were prepared for Beledweyn, Mogadishu, Baraawe, Jilib, Kismaayo, Marka, and Afgooye. The leaflets are generally the same. They show a technical vehicle at the left, armed Somalis in the center, and a roadblock at the right. Text on the front is:
These weapons are prohibited from Kismaayo. Technical vehicles (armored cars). Pointing weapons. Weapons (such as light or heavy machineguns or mortars).
The back is all text:
UNITAF – SOMALIA. The rules for Kismaayo. Light and heavy machine guns will not be tolerated. Armored cars, cars with weapons in them (technicals) will not be tolerated. Weapons clearly carried (of all types) will not be tolerated. If one of these is seen, it will be confiscated immediately. Kismaayo roadblocks will not be tolerated. Killing and looting of the humanitarian air will not be tolerated. UNITAF have orders to use force if they feel they are being threatened.
Army Times of 30 December 1992 adds:
In Mogadishu, military planes dropped 100,000 leaflets on all parts of the city warning clansmen and marauding gunmen that looting and killing would not be tolerated and that weapons and combat vehicles would be confiscated on sight.
Mine Warning Poster
Besides the 37 leaflets airdropped leaflets, there were also a number of other leaflets that are larger than the standard 3 x 6 inches. Some of these were handed to the Somali people; others were in poster form and attached to poles or buildings. One poster that needs no translation is bright red, shows a skull and crossed bones, and pictures various mines and explosive all around the border.
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The Americans also produced a "pointee-talkie" card for use by servicemen who might fall into the hands of the Somalis. The card is printed in black and white and laminated. The front depicts the flags of Somalia and the United States. Some of the 13 phrases in English and Somali are, "My friend, I am hungry. Please provide me with food," and "My friend, if enemy troops come, please conceal me."
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The Gift Card
To be continued
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