The US contingent in Somalia pulls out at the end of March. Socialist Outlook asked ASHA-KIN F. DUALE, Somalia's only woman barrister and prominent childrens' rights campaigner for a comment. Due to her representation of political dissidents during the Barre regime, she was forced to flee Mogadishu, and now lives in London. SO: How do you assess the American involvement in AK: The US marines came on a humanitarian mission - to retrieve the guns their government had supplied to the Barre regime.
But their intervention was extremely problematic. The image of the US soldier dragged through ine streets of Mogadishu shows the outrage of the people. The media ignored the killing of 750 Somalis in those three days of clashes due to their pro-western bias.
Famine is part of the history of every nation. By fighting back, Somalis have shown the world that those who claim to bring a number of conferences in humanitarian aid are only acting Addis Ababa between clan in their own interests. People are militias. happy that the US is leaving.
AK: The UN has a hidden SO: How about other conagenda. tingents?
It is imposing from above a AK: German troops were sta- settlement using hand-picked tioned in Beled Weyn. Among 'leaders' who are not repreother problems they have sentative of the wishes of the Somali people. The UN has facaused, local people blame voured some faction leaders them for the lowering of the above others. level of the Schebelle river.
Most people depend on this SO: How do you suggest a river for their livelihood. The genuine national reconcilitroops lived in luxury while the ation is achieved? people suffered.
AK: It must come from the SO: Some see Farah grass roots. Aideed as a national hero, Somalis were a nomadic peoothers as a bandit. What is ple. We had a system of concilithe opinion of most So- ation among clans, from clan malis? elders up to district level and up to national level. AK: Aideed is the reality of SO: The former British protoday's Somalia.
People are proud that he was tectorate of Somaliland more than a match for the Ameri- has declared itself the incans. However his role in the dependent Republic of Sowarlord conflicts means he has maliland. How do Somalis no place in the national reconcili- in the South view this? ation of Somalis.
AK: Hargeisa and Burco in the SO: The UN has sponsored North were bombed by Barre's forces. People in the south have no ill-feelings against people in the north.
Barre also terrorised the south with summary executions. There should be a referendum to decide the future of the Union. SO: The media concentrates on the manoeuvres of militia leaders, but are there agencies more accountable to the people? AK: There are womens' associations in the north and south who play an important role though they are sidelined by the United Nations.
They are fully involved in clan reconciliation, food distribution and national reconciliation.
Development related projects related to agriculture and irrigation depend on financial support. Although there are Somali nongovernmental organisations with the abillity to carry out these projects, money is only channelled through Western NGO's. This increases out dependency on the west.
Above: US soldiers wrap one of we can eight helicopters stop the protective Hawks plastic. BAe sells Hawk jets to Indonesia. Indonesia uses them to kill civilians in occupied East Timor. More Hawks will be delivered in 1996.0r will they?
PROTEST outside the BAe AGM: bring your organisation's banner 26 April 12 noon Marriot Hotel Grosvenor Square London JOIN the Camapign Against the Arms Trade media stunt. 200 people are needed to represent the 200,000 East Timorese dead.
Contact CAAT. 11 Goodwin Street. London, N4 3HD, 071-281 0297 for more information.