Posted on 12/27/2006 4:23:54 PM PST by Popman
Ethiopia has emerged as the only nation willing to directly confront the al-Qaeda franchise Islamic Courts Union in Somalia, driving into the east African nation with tanks and pushing the Islamists and their fighters - including foreign terrorists poured in from around the Middle East - back to the eastern shores of Mogadishu.
After rolling though Somalia and driving the ICU out of Somali cities and towns along the way, Ethipian forces have pulled up and surrounded Mogadishu. A siege strategy like that once employed by the ICU on the last remaining Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) stronghold of Baidoa is being employed by Ethiopian forces. The stated intent is to avoid civilian losses.
But the Telegraph’s Mike Pflanz notes the likely futility of such a move “as Mogadishu sits on the Indian Ocean, allowing sympathetic foreign fighting forces to land on the beach to reinforce and re-arm” the Islamist forces via their al-Qaeda lifeline. An American-led naval blockade would greatly assist by sealing the fourth side of a three-sided Ethiopian siege effort.
But the United States is calling for a return to negotiations in Somalia, and it remains to be seen whether American naval forces will be ordered to assist the forward-leaning Ethiopian government and its unapologetic engagement of the Islamists seeking an al-Qaeda foothold on the Horn of Africa.
While noting American support of Ethiopian actions, State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos also signaled a less than forward-leaning American approach to action on the Horn by also saying, “We’ve instructed our ambassadors in the region to meet with governments to urge them to pressure Somalis to return to the negotiating table. We do not believe this can be resolved on the battlefield.” The African Union has demanded an outright withdrawal of Ethiopian forces from Somalia.
Speaking to the UN Security Council Tuesday, Kofi Annan’s special representative to Somalia, Francois Lonseny Fall, echoed such demands and calls. “Unless a political settlement is reached through negotiations, Somalia, I am afraid, will face a period of deepening conflict and heightened instability, which would be disastrous for the long-suffering people of Somalia, and could also have serious consequences for the entire region,’’ he said.
But the long-suffering people of Somalia face even greater long-term perils – as does the rest of the region and the world – through resumed inaction that would allow the Islamic Courts Union and its al-Qaeda ‘management’ to continue its progress, allowing an al-Qaeda terrorist foothold and Taliban-style Islamist rule over the whole of Somalia.
It must be recognized by Western leaders – most notably the United States – that the coveted ‘negotiation process’ is what permitted the ICU to harvest Somali territory for al-Qaeda in the first place. Negotiation must take place after the Islamists will has been broken in Somalia by force alone, not beforehand. For force is the language they speak with and the only language they have an ear for.
she's a disgrace.......moderately articulate, best on 'talking points', and not very good at all in Q & A. And, btw, wasn't maddy albrights daddy her teacher in "russian studies"?
Hillary and the democrats would scream their heads off if we helped corner their islamist allies in Mogadishu.
Never going to happen.
Ditto to what you said.
..exactly what was said about Ethiopia taking action against the iCockroaches in Somalia..
Pelosi and her Liberal cowards would sell everyone out just like Baker.
No ships will appear. We have too many people bent on negotiation as the only means to deal with the islamofacists.
On the other hand, I hope Ethiopia puts it to the islamofacists. It will be a well deserved ass whipping.
The terrorists have had free reign for too long. time to shut them down.
I agree: it's a disease called style over substance
Condi may be a good diplomat, but she isn't capable of the leadership skills it takes to be POTUS
This comes under: "I could give a #@$% what he thinks." In fact, given that a fundamental Muslim tenant is the establishment of Shi'i Law as the basis for governance, but elected officials are to defend and protect the Constitution and the laws of the land, I don't even understand how he can be sworn in, Koran or no Koran.
"who really knows what back door deals are being pushed by the house of Saud."
Bingo.
It's going on my desktop at work.
Foggy Bottom needs to start serving it's spokespeople nice big cups of STFU.
The provisional "Baidoa" government is the transitional government that the UN has tried to pull together there. They are elected, they include members of all the major clans, they are in short as legitimate a government as we've seen there, ever.
The moment they come under fire from Al Qaeda, however, Kofi Annan is ready to drop them like a hot rock.
Ethiopia is not in Somalia for the sunshine. They are there almost certainly at our behest. What exactly this campaign is costing us politically and monetarily we probably won't know for some time to come, but you can bet there is a price tag.
This is what muscular diplomacy looks like.
I am pleased with the turn-about these last few days. Until the campaign started I was as worried as anyone that we were going to do nothing. I am aware that the Horn of Africa has received special attention from our special ops guys, but I know nothing beyond that, so I was wondering when or if we were going to see anything concrete happen. Maybe this is our answer.
Welcome to Irag...
If the Ethiopians can take back all but Mogadishu in 5 days by not trying to win hearts and minds, thent hink what the marines could do if we set them looose in Sadr city
Jim Baker is a fool. Bush is using his report for TP.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.