From: jsax@igc.apc.org (Joel Sax)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.quaker
Subject: FCNL Legislative Update 12/11/92
Date: 12 Dec 92 02:34:00 GMT
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1744600046:000:3470
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!jsax    Dec 11 18:34:00 1992


From: Joel Sax <jsax>
Subject: FCNL Legislative Update 12/11/92

/* Written  2:59 pm  Dec 11, 1992 by fcnl@igc.apc.org in igc:fcnl.updates */
/* ---------- "FCNL Legislative Update 12/11/92" ---------- */

          FCNL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- [12/11/92]

This is the Friends Committee on National Legislation,
with updated legislative information.  To speak with a
staff member, call (202) 547-6000.

This message was prepared at 5:00 p.m on Friday,
December 11, 1992.  It contains information and action
suggestions on the following subject:  SOMALIA.

SOMALIA.  Television viewers were eye witnesses this
week to the landing of U.S. military forces in
Somalia.  U.S. officials have stated that the military
operation has a limited goal:  "to establish
sufficient order so that relief agencies can
distribute food and other aid."  But now the goal of
the operation may be expanded.  It is reported that UN
Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has said that
U.S. troops should remain in Somalia until they have
disarmed the warlords, restored order, and trained a
military police force.

Unquestionably, order needs to be restored in Somalia,
and efforts to feed and care for the suffering people
need to be fully funded and supported.  However, the
Friends Committee on National Legislation believes
that neither the short-term goal of feeding the people
nor the long-term goal of restoring order will be
achieved through violent means, the use of military
force.  

Reports of cease-fire negotiations between warlords
are welcome, but the foundation for a longlasting
peace in Somalia must be negotiated by clan elders and
community leaders, not just warlords.  The current
process of U.S. leaders negotiating primarily with
warlords and militia leaders only reinforces the
notion that political power is granted to those with
military might.  

The people of Somalia have a rich cultural heritage of
resolving conflicts through nonviolent methods.  The
peace process initiated by former UN envoy Mohammed
Sahnoun is continuing and offers promise of a lasting
peace; however, that process is receiving neither the
attention nor the support that it deserves.  Instead,
the world's eyes and hopes are fixed on the military
intervention, which at its very best offers only a
temporary reprieve. 

It is essential that the entire international
community, and especially the United States, encourage
the UN-facilitated Somali peace process.  Even if U.S.
troops manage to stop the shooting between warlords,
eventually it is the political and social leaders of
Somalia who must end this crisis and rebuild their
society through peaceful negotiation and political
processes.

ACTION:  Phone the White House Comment Desk: 202-456-
1111; and contact your senators and representative at
their local offices.  Send the message that the United
States should strongly support the UN-facilitated
peace process in Somalia.

For further information on the crisis in Somalia, a
background document is available on PeaceNet and
CompuServe, or you can write to FCNL to request
document #G-248-FOR.  (Please include $1 to cover
postage and handling expenses.)

This concludes our message.  For more information,
please write to the Friends Committee on National
Legislation, 245 Second St., NE, Washington, DC 20002.
To follow these and related issues on a regular basis,
subscribe to the FCNL WASHINGTON NEWSLETTER.  Send $25
to the above address and receive 11 issues per year.