From: chrisb@seachg.uucp (Chris Blask)
Subject: Re: Somalia: The REAL US mission II
Reply-To: chrisb@seachg.UUCP (Chris Blask)
Organization: Sea Change Corporation, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 93 16:58:09 GMT

In article <93003.201212U38026@uicvm.uic.edu> <U38026@uicvm.uic.edu> writes:
>I happen to locate some interesting information on Somalia.  I think
>most people would find this most interesting in light of the so called
>"humanitarian" mission, Restore Hope.  The issues that are most
>pertinent to issue of U.S. military intervention are marked with a "**".
>If you know anything about US imperialism, here's more fuel for the
>fire.
>
>!!!  My point of this article was mostly for people to make some of their
>!!! own conclusions as to the information.  But it seems for some I have
>!!! to spell out somethings.  I have marked these sections with "!!!" I
>!!! hope they will answer some questions that people have been posing.
>!!! I have also included some information that has been posted to the net.
>!!! This article supports my argument the Somalians should be left alone
>!!! as far as setting up their own government.

Agreed, they must be allowed to determine their own future.  Whether cloak
and dagger types form the US or other nations mess that up is always
uncertain.

>**Natural resources: uranium, and largely unexploited reserves
>of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, copper, salt

>!!! Economic resources are the main reason for US foreign policy and
>!!! strategic control of certain areas of the world.  If you are interested
>!!! in finding out the real character of the US foreign policy.  Check out
>!!! the film, The Panama Deception, (Empowerment Project, 1653 18 St. Suite
>!!! 3, Santa Monica  CA 90404, (310) 828-8807)

Economic resources are the ONLY reason for ANY country's foreign policy,
when you come right down to it.  You can also argue that every human action
is self centred as well (I don't donate blood to help others, I do it to
make myself feel good).  Still, it is possible for humans and countries to
do good deeds, despite any ulterior motives.  I'm sure that all but the
worst blackhearts in the US government wish to do some good, even if they
also want to line their pockets while they are at it (something the good
countries of Isreal, Iran or Saudi Arabia would _never_ think of doing),
and I guarantee that the soldiers on the ground aren't really concerned
with the geopolitical aspect of the situation.  I know some of the 'grunts'
who may be over there, and I can vouch for _their_ character, at least.

>**Note:  strategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches
>to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal.  [also
>Somalia is good location for a military base to launch air strikes
>against independant countries like Libya and Yemen and protect US
>colonies like Saudi Arabia.]
>
>!!!  Surprising nobody has disputed the claim of the strategic location of
>!!! Somalia.  Some took insult to the phase, "US colonies" but lets not
>!!! forget that the US have given many arms and weapons to Saudi Arabia as
>!!! of late and the leaders are not consulting their people on the matter.
>!!! So that why I use "US colony".  But, I probably should use terms like
>!!! "imperial ally" or "democratic monarchy" or whatever oxymoron you
>!!! perfer.

Of course no one disputed the location, it is what it is.  Whether the
military expects to gain some strategic advantage from the thing is
questionable, but I don't doubt that the thought has crossed some key
minds, and the least result will be that Somalia is friendly to the US and
does not fight _against_ them.  I would be very surprised to see a US base
set up there (actually, I'll drop my jaw, shrug my shoulders, and walk
north 'til my mustache freezes).

As for your choice of phraseology, you should talk to Clayton Cramer about
the art of alienation.  You will not have a usefull discourse with the
Chinese if you insist on calling them pinko-commie stooges, nor will you
communicate with Americans if you use terms like those above (c'mon:
"imperial..." 'imperial running-dog oppressors!  Die for the glory of
Mao!').  The purpose of communication is to increase the sum knowledge in
any situation to allow for a more rational end, whether you are changing a
tire or holding a peace conference (or a war).  The point where
communication turns into propoganda is where knowledge is not tranfered,
but scrambled to provoke the desired reaction.  You could probably acheive
as much or more by being direct, we don't trust the motives of our government,
any more than you should trust the motives of your own, even (especially)
if they tell you that they are doing the work of God.  Noone, however, is
going to talk with someone who stands on their doorstep and hurls insults,
true or not.

>**Economy
>Overview: One of the world's least developed countries, Somalia
>has few resources. In 1988 per capita GDP was $210. Agriculture is the
>most important sector of the economy, with the livestock sector
>accounting for about 40% of GDP and about 65% of export earnings. Nomads
>and seminomads who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihoods
>make up about 50% of the population. Crop production generates only 10%
>of GDP and employs about 20% of the work force. The main export crop is
>bananas; sugar, sorghum, and corn are grown for the domestic market. The
>small industrial sector is based on the processing of agricultural
>products and accounts for less than 10% of GDP. At the end of 1988
>serious economic problems facing the nation were the external debt of
>$2.8 billion and double-digit inflation.

>!!!  The reason that this was marked with "**" was to show that the Somalia
>!!! people are very weak, poor, and primative.  This shows that Somalia has
>!!! few DEVELOPED resources.  Thus, the US government has
>!!! the ability to mold and shape a Somalian government to reflect and
>!!! secure US interests, despite the interest or needs of the people.
>!!! Dictators, monarchies, and oligarchies are the easiest to exploit and
>!!! maintain a economic relationship with.  Examples-Marcos, Noreiaga,
>!!! Shah of Iran (a complete product of US imperialism) and Sadam Hussin
>!!! during the Iran-Iraq war.		    ^^^^^^^^^^^

There ya' go again, it's hard to agree with you when you spit in my face,
but you do have a point, thanks for pointing it out, odn't let anyone
forget it.  Also, don't forget the Soviet actions on the other side of the
fence (the side you are likely on), and the fact that any other nation
which reaches super power status will do the same nasty deeds.  "Eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty." - meaning that we all must watch the
powers that be and keep them in line; but honestly, not with our _own_
little priorities in our pockets ;-). 

>**Agriculture: dominant sector, led by livestock raising (cattle, sheep,
>goats); crops--bananas, sorghum, corn, mangoes, sugarcane; not
>self-sufficient in food; fishing potential largely unexploited
>
>!!! This part reflects that hardship of the people and their livelyhood and
>!!! their ability to protect themselves and organize a government by their
>!!! own accord.

?? How does this show their "ability" to protect themselves etc...
Actually, they are in a hurtin' position now (more so than when this
article was written) and are stuck in a cycle that will quite likely wipe
them out completely without outside aid.  That is not what you want, is it?
Would your side gain by having Somlia fail?  I hope not.  I'm a bleeding
heart liberal pacifist from way back, and I can pick on the US gov't until
the cows come home, but I fail to see how your position is any better than
the current situation.  Are you in favour of a UN (or any other group)
mission to feed these people under any circumstances, or are you just upset
that the US is involved?  They are the dominant force in the world today
(but watch out for China tomorrow), and will be involved in anything of
this size in the world.  Perhaps we should just let them all starve as has
happened before, and as some of our posters suggest?

-chris blask
Newsgroups: alt.current-events.somalia,talk.politics.mideast,talk.politics.misc