Proceedings of the Commission of Inquiry Into the Deployment of Canadian Forces to Somalia. In March of 1995 the Commission of Inquiry into the Deployment of Canadian Forces to Somalia was created, on behalf of the Federal Government, to investigate the chain of command system, the leadership, discipline, actions and decisions of the Canadian Forces, as well as the actions and decisions of the Department of National Defence (DND), in respect of the Canadian Forces' participation in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Somalia in 1992-93. Justice Gilles Létourneau was appointed as Chairperson for the Inquiry. The objective was to determine whether structural and organizational deficiencies lay behind the controversial events involving the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Somalia.~The Commission of Inquiry divided its work between three interrelated components, each assigned a specific task. The three components were investigation, research and hearings. In the search for factual evidence, the Commission's Investigative Team studied over 150,000 documents and interviewed hundreds of witnesses. Rules and policies affecting military operations and decision making were sought out by the Commission's Research Team. Hearings, forming the third and final component of the Commission's approach, became the most visible and accessible area of research to the public.~Hearings were divided into two parts: policy and evidentiary hearings. Policy hearings were held during the week beginning 19th June 1995 in order to receive evidence on policy issues necessary to enable the Commission of Inquiry to define its mandate. Policy submissions were presented by the parties and DND concerning a number of issues.~Evidentiary hearings, which commenced on the 2nd October 1995, were intended to investigate litigious facts or those that could be revealed only through testimonial evidence. The hearings began with issues concerning the pre-deployment phase of the Somalia Mission, focussing on the period of time prior to the 10th January 1993. Specific pre-deployment issues included the suitability of the Canadian Airborne Regiment, the operational readiness of the Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group (CARBG) prior to deployment, leadership, accountability, chain of command, mission planning, training, and rules of engagement for the mission. A total of 116 witnesses testified during this phase of hearings.~As a result of the Governments decision to order the early termination of the Commission of Inquiry, it was not possible to complete the hearings on some of the events and actions in theatre and on some of the issues arising in the post-deployment phase.~These unedited recordings consist of testimony recorded by the Cable Public Affairs Channel. Proceedings begin with Simon Noël of Commission Counsel introducing the first witness, Lieutenant-General Armand Roy, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff. A presentation is made by LGen Roy concerning the structural system of the regiment, functioning of the chain of command in Canada, and the existence of chain of command when troops are deployed overseas.~Cross-examination follows with questioning by [James Tuey] representing Colonel J. S. Labbé, the in-theatre commander of the Somalia operations, Isaac Sechere representing The Coalition of Somalia Canadian Organizations, and Bruce Carr-Harris representing Brigadier General Ernest B. Beno. Additional questioning is conducted by Justice Gilles Létourneau and Commissioner Peter Desbarats of the Inquiry staff.~Testimony is also provided by Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) James Calvin with questioning by Barbara McIsaac of the Commission Counsel. Subjects initiated by Ms. McIsaac include the structure of battalions, the responsibility of different individuals within the structure, powers of punishment, and the disciplinary powers of a commanding officer. Additional questioning is conducted by Justice Létourneau and Commissioners Justice Robert Rutherford and Peter Desbarats.~Cross-examination follows with questioning by Patrick McCann counsel for Elvin K Brown, Bruce Carr-Harris, Peter Shaniker representing Major General Lewis MacKenzie, Stuart Hendin representing Major General Brian Vernon, [James Tuey], and Isaac Sechere with additional questioning by Justice Létourneau.
