Taliban-like Islamic fundamentalist group takes control of Somali capital Mogadishu

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Somalia has been pretty much uninhabitable for anyone other than those with serious death wishes. The place is a major shithole. Somalis have long abandoned that nightmare and make their home everywhere else in the world but there. What's it matter who runs that fcuked up piece of the world anyway?

Noone cared about Afghanistan either till Bin Laden set up shop.

Well, actually, there was some "interest" when Moscow tried to sort of "annex" the place back in the 80's. Remember, that's when the US helped BinLaden to set-up shop there.

Yep and when the Soviets pulled out, everyone was content to let that country effectively rot for 12 years

Not just rot. It was kind of fueling this "war on drugs". Until the focus shifted to the "war on terror". Man, such a small country and so much trouble, eh? Makes one go hmmm....

Still is by all accounts - still the worlds biggest exporter of heroin. What does that tell you?

That Americans love their drugs?

Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding: We have a winner!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Somalia has been pretty much uninhabitable for anyone other than those with serious death wishes. The place is a major shithole. Somalis have long abandoned that nightmare and make their home everywhere else in the world but there. What's it matter who runs that fcuked up piece of the world anyway?

Noone cared about Afghanistan either till Bin Laden set up shop.

Well, actually, there was some "interest" when Moscow tried to sort of "annex" the place back in the 80's. Remember, that's when the US helped BinLaden to set-up shop there.

Yep and when the Soviets pulled out, everyone was content to let that country effectively rot for 12 years

Not just rot. It was kind of fueling this "war on drugs". Until the focus shifted to the "war on terror". Man, such a small country and so much trouble, eh? Makes one go hmmm....

Still is by all accounts - still the worlds biggest exporter of heroin. What does that tell you?

That Americans love their drugs?

Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding: We have a winner!

especially alcohol and tobacco

[iceyspots 0]

bah bumhug

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The US responds:

The U.S. and European Union issued surprisingly conciliatory statements about the militia, which is accused of sheltering al-Qaida and says it wants to quash 16 years of Somali anarchy with an Islamic government and court system.

[...]

... the U.S. this week said the group's goal was to restore "some semblance of order."

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters in Washington Wednesday that the group's aim, "is to try to lay the foundations for some institutions in Somalia that might form the basis for a better and more peaceful, secure Somalia where the rule of law is important."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060608/ap_on_re_af/somalia

[almaty 19]

The US responds:

The U.S. and European Union issued surprisingly conciliatory statements about the militia, which is accused of sheltering al-Qaida and says it wants to quash 16 years of Somali anarchy with an Islamic government and court system.

[...]

... the U.S. this week said the group's goal was to restore "some semblance of order."

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters in Washington Wednesday that the group's aim, "is to try to lay the foundations for some institutions in Somalia that might form the basis for a better and more peaceful, secure Somalia where the rule of law is important."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060608/ap_on_re_af/somalia

#######??????????//// saying something good about the muslim miltia...

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The US responds:

The U.S. and European Union issued surprisingly conciliatory statements about the militia, which is accused of sheltering al-Qaida and says it wants to quash 16 years of Somali anarchy with an Islamic government and court system.

[...]

... the U.S. this week said the group's goal was to restore "some semblance of order."

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters in Washington Wednesday that the group's aim, "is to try to lay the foundations for some institutions in Somalia that might form the basis for a better and more peaceful, secure Somalia where the rule of law is important."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060608/ap_on_re_af/somalia

#######??????????//// saying something good about the muslim miltia...

After 14 years of misrule, even a bad government is preferable to none at all. Democracy is a luxury right now...

[slim 1,525]

I think Reinhard pointed this out already, Afghanistan circa '80s....

We did it then, why not do it now? (Hey.... did they discover oil in Somalia too? Or, is the new Cold War against teror?)

Edited June 9, 2006 by slim

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think Reinhard pointed this out already, Afghanistan circa '80s....

We did it then, why not do it now? (Hey.... did they discover oil in Somalia too? Or, is the new Cold War against teror?)

I just find it hilarious that the term "war on terror" has entered into such widespread public usage. "War on a vague emotion" - Steven King and Dean Koontz better take cover

I think 'terror' has become a relative concept these days....