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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release October 19, 1993

Statement by the Press Secretary

The two Marine Expeditionary Units that the President ordered to Somalia have arrived off its coast. They include 3600 Marines, helicopters and armored vehicles. Also included in each group is a Special Operations capability.

With this force present, the President has approved the recommendation of the Secretary of Defense that U.S. Army Special Operations Command elements (Rangers) be returned to the United States within the next few days.

This rotation of forces is part of the overall deployment that the President ordered to ensure that U.S. forces in Somalia are fully protected.

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