Somalia Affair: Defending the Airborne Regiment
The Story
The schools they built, the infrastructure they developed and the people they saved - it's all being overlooked by Canadians, say Sgt. Ronnie Smith, Sgt. Hercule Gosselin and Cpl. Patrick Couture in this CBC Television interview. The three members of the Airborne Regiment say they worked hard under difficult conditions. Some Somalis threw stones at them while they worked. Stealing was a constant problem. But despite this, they say that desire to be in Belet Huen was born of a genuine desire to help.
Program: Prime Time News
Broadcast Date: Aug. 31, 1993
Guest(s): Cpl. Patrick Couture, Sgt. Hercule Gosselin, Sgt. Ronnie Smith
Host: Peter Mansbridge
Reporter: Keith Boag
Duration: 5:21
Did You know?
• The Canadian Airborne Regiment returned home in May of 1993 under a dark cloud of public scrutiny. Many Somalis expressed affection for the Canadians for their work rebuilding the Belet Huen bridge, opening a school and establishing a police force, as shown in this CBC Television report.
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