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Date:         Sun, 13 Dec 1992 22:32:00 CST
From:         RICHARD JENSEN <CAMPBELLD@APSU.BITNET>
Subject:      interesting discussion on humanitarianism in Somalia

From:   IN%"WORLD-L@UBVM.BITNET"  "World-L - Forum on non-Eurocentric world hist
   ory" 13-DEC-1992 22:09:58.01
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Subj:   RE: critique of David Potter' Somalia assesment

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Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 00:11:00 CST
From: KPL9267@VALPO.BITNET
Subject: RE: critique of David Potter' Somalia assesment
To: Multiple recipients of list WORLD-L <WORLD-L@UBVM.BITNET>
Reply-to: World-L - Forum on non-Eurocentric world history <WORLD-L@UBVM.BITNET>
Message-id: <BBAD23A8206047CA@APSU.BITNET>

Joseph Terwilliger,

        I do not agree with your statement that the US action in Somalia
requires the establishment of "a pro-western democracy there, or at least
a pro-US government of some typw [sic type], to ensure that the food
supplies continue to get through after we leave . . ."  I do not think it
right for the US to step in and "solve" Somalia's political problems just
b/c "they have proven they cannot do it themselves."  Furthermore, I fail
to see how a government being "pro-US" or "pro-western" is a prerequisite
for allowing food supplies to get through (many "anti-western" governments
are more than willing to accept US-western aid, but still remain staunchly
anti-western :)  I fail to see why the US must profit from its actions in
Somalia, as you imply.  Isnt helping a nation with starving people justi-
fication enough?
        As a side note, how can the US justify interfering in political
affairs as you suggest?  If we say, they have proven their inability to
solve their own problems, then are we going to reorganize every nation
that has political upheaval? And are we going to make them all "pro-west"?
On a further tangent, I do not believe that democracy is the cure-all
potion that many seem to take it as--many cultures (both social and
political), IMHO, make democracy a worse "cure" than the "disease."  I
do not know enough about Somali culture to be able to assert whether this
is the case with Somalia, but I shudder to think of America attempting
to engraft ideas of democracy upon cultures that are hostile to it (and
that will in many cases only exacerbate the problems of the nation.)
        I just find a difficult time coming up with a justification for
US meddling in the political "reorganization" (as you call it) of Somalia,
but especially when, as you seem to desire, that we use the opportunity
to install a government that will suit our own tastes.  (Wouldnt stability
itself be enough of a goal?)  IMHO, this smacks of (political) imperialism.

anyway, i apologize for the length of this, but as someone who grew up
in a foreign country i am quite sensitive to issues of domination of
one culture/nation by another.  I am not, however, against _true_ acts
of international charity, aid, and compassion.  In a world where violence
and war are all around us, I think we need more of those qualities both
between individuals and between nations.

Kevin Landdeck

kpl9267@valpo                                (bitnet)
kpl9267@exodus.valpo.edu                     (internet)
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