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Somalia: Are Hydrocarbons the Target? | 46 comments (46 topical, editorial, 0 hidden)
Re: Somalia: Are Hydrocarbons the Target? (none / 0)
There is only one answer I can offer you.  In my humble opinion, neither you nor I (and by extension, neither the USA, former USSR powers, EU, Ethiopia or anyone else for that matter) ought to have any say whatsoever in what happens in Somalia except for the people of Somalia!  If they happened to prefer the Islamic Courts, then so be it.  Just like the Palestinians wanted Hamas and the Shiite population (and others!) in Lebanon prefer Hizb'allah, they are (or should be) entitled to have them as their leaders.  Whether they are acceptable to me or you or anyone else that does not belong to the particular population in question is immaterial.  ...Or do you follow the Bush doctrine that says democracy is OK as long as you vote for what I want?!?

And by the way, to what you say here:

I do believe that when one enters discussion on such a topic as you have addressed, political leanings are instantly visible. But it is not sensible if political leanings are allowed to blind us to the genuine needs of people affected. With that in mind, I ask,

My response is that you might want to heed your own advice.

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Fri Jan 19th, 2007 at 10:31:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Re: Somalia: Are Hydrocarbons the Target? (none / 0)
The UN imposed an arms embargo on Somalia and turned its back whilst the Islamic Courts shipped in arms from all over. ICU then marched through unarmed villages and declared its "victories". They threatened Jihad in Kenya and Ethiopia and surrounded the base of the UN recognised government. They began shelling government positions but when government and Ethiopian troops retaliated they ran back to Mogadishu, closed the schools and sent children out to fight with Eritrean weapons.

I am sorry my comments offended you but it is very important that we read everything available to form our opinions; otherwise we are in danger of becoming like Nazi or Stalinist "press button" revolutionaries with  "rent a crowd" mentality.

by avalonga on Sat Jan 20th, 2007 at 03:58:44 AM EST
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Re: Somalia: Are Hydrocarbons the Target? (none / 1)
The crucial question, I believe, is do the vast majority of Somalis prefer the Islamic Courts over the so-called "legitimate government" that is backed by the UN?  Since I am not Somali, I cannot answer that question.  I have to rely on journalists' news reports, but furthermore, I need to separate the propaganda that serves non-Somali interests from the real news reports that truly are reflective of what the Somali people want.  Not an easy task (neither for me nor for you).  I tend to lend credence to reports from people like Nir Rosen:

ROBERTS: Nir Rosen, what about that? I mean Somalia is the poster child for the words "failed state." Is there any way it's ever going to be stable?

ROSEN: It was getting stable. The Islamic courts were not radical. It actually succeeded in doing something amazing for Somalis, bringing peace to Mogadishu, getting rid of the warlords, letting people be able to walk in the streets at night without getting robbed or killed and they brought stability not only to Mogadishu, but it was spreading throughout much of the country. What we have done by focusing solely on this terrorism or radical Islam aspect for our foreign policy for an entire country is actually to destabilize the country, introduce foreign troops who invaded the country who are extremely unpopular. I think this is actually a horrible situation. The Islamic courts were the answer for Somalia. They managed to unite many different clans. They managed to provide stability. They had the backing of Somalis very important business community. They had the backing of many of the original powers and we've actually destabilized Somalia by allowing the Ethiopians to do this.

ROBERTS: So you think it was better off, before the Ethiopians backing up the warlords went back in there.

ROSEN: Well I was in Mogadishu when the Islamic courts took over and there were massive celebrations throughout the entire city, because neighborhoods had been closed off. Suddenly you can go throughout the entire city. Somalis were very, very happy. There were parades. There were festivals. Businessmen who had been exiled for many years came back. There was really a sense of optimism. The one fear people had is that the Ethiopians are going to come in with backing from America and ruin all of this and bring the warlords back and bring a government in name only. It's not really government, back into Somalia and this is indeed what happens happened. Now Somalia's destabilized where there was a little bit of hope a few months ago.

There are similar reports from other respected sources.  You obviously disagree, but then you are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine.

"Beware of the man who does not talk, and the dog that does not bark." Cheyenne

by maracatu on Sat Jan 20th, 2007 at 02:58:16 PM EST
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Somalia: Are Hydrocarbons the Target? | 46 comments (46 topical, 0 editorial, 0 hidden)
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