Delay Possible in U.S. Pullout From Somalia : Africa: No timetable can be set until the Security Council transfers control of the U.S.-led operation to a U.N. peacekeeping force.

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Some American troops the United States had hoped to pull out of Somalia before or soon after President Clinton’s inauguration could remain until as late as March, a U.S. military spokesman said Thursday.

Marine Col. Fred Peck said no timetable can be set until the U.N. Security Council adopts a resolution necessary to transfer control of the U.S.-led relief operation to a U.N. peacekeeping force.

The United Nations also must name a commander and determine the rules of engagement, including under what conditions U.N. peacekeepers can open fire.

American troops have fired freely to protect themselves, but U.N. troops usually face restrictions.

The lawlessness of Somalia was demonstrated again when a Chinese reporter was seriously wounded and his Somali driver killed by roving gunmen who hijacked their car Wednesday night within 400 yards of U.S. Marine positions.

Liu Jiang, a correspondent for the New China News Agency, was taken to a Swedish field hospital where surgeons were able to save his left knee, which was shattered by a bullet.

Liu, his driver and an unarmed bodyguard were returning from the daily U.S. military briefing to Liu’s hotel when their car was blocked by another car and four men armed with AK-47 rifles.

In New York, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations urged the Security Council to begin the preparations for a transfer of power.

The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, France, called on the world body to draw up a “Marshall Plan for Somalia” to rebuild the country.

More than 1,100 Marines returned home to Camp Pendleton, Calif., earlier this week, most of them from the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, in the first withdrawal of U.S. forces since they landed Dec. 9.

Peck said he does not foresee another withdrawal at this time. He said that by late January, the conditions would be acceptable to the U.S. military to turn over security of some relief work.

But U.N. officials have indicated this could not be accomplished by then. Draft texts for a U.N. resolution are not even being circulated.

Other U.S. sources said U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali apparently wanted to deal with the new Clinton Administration. They spoke on condition of anonymity.

A U.S.-led coalition of 20 nations has been trying to secure and rebuild Somalia from a famine and civil war that claimed 350,000 lives last year. Two million more are considered at risk.

Peck said that once a U.N. resolution was adopted and the rules of engagement set, it would take U.S. forces two weeks to complete the transfer of military control. Then it would take several weeks to send U.S. troops home.

Peck said not all American troops will be leaving.

“We’ve already said we’ll be here with some presence,” he said. The United States is expected to provide logistics and headquarters support to the U.N. peacekeeping force.