Europe News
EU criticises alleged US airstrike in southern Somalia
Jan 9, 2007, 13:16 GMT
Brussels - The European Commission on Tuesday criticised the reported United States airstrike against a suspected al-Qaeda cell in southern Somalia, calling it counterproductive to peace efforts for the war-torn African country.
While there was a risk of foreign extremists operating from Somalia, 'any incident of that kind is not helpful in the long-term,' a commission spokesman told reporters.
The Somali interim government confirmed earlier Tuesday that at least 30 people had been killed in a US airstrike against a suspected al-Qaeda cell in southern Somalia.
The commission spokesman said that Somalia's fundamental problem was a lack of state, adding: 'Only a political solution can bring serious chances for lasting peace and stability.'
He also called for an 'inclusive political process' with the moderate members of the Islamic courts in Somalia.
Ethiopian troops must be withdrawn as quickly as possible and an international force to monitor the situation in Somalia be deployed, the spokesman stressed.
Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, the al-Qaeda leader believed to be responsible for the 1998 attacks on the US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998, was among those killed, US media reported Tuesday.
The US had expressed concern that Somalia could become a staging ground for terrorists and said last week said it had stationed forces off the coast of Somalia and was working with other countries in the region to ensure that Islamists linked to terrorism are not able to flee the country.
The EU last week said that a possible international peacekeeping force in Somalia should be an African-led operation, excluding a possible participation of European troops.
Ethiopia, which backs Somalia's weak transitional government, launched an offensive on December 24 against the Islamist movement which has controlled much of the country's south since June 2006.
Somalia's interim government wants Ethiopian troops to stay until a peacekeeping force is deployed. But analysts say the continued presence of foreign troops could further weaken the regime.
Ethiopia has said it could not afford to keep its troops in neighbouring Somalia much longer and called for the quick deployment of international peacekeepers.
© 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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Older Talkback
page: 1
Maybe I'm just cynical of Bush's lot, but Somalia is listed by the CIA factbook as having potential oil reserves and this lot always seem to bomb countries like that.
http://www.greenleft.org.au/1993/85/4766
From 1993:
'Four giant US oil companies stand to make a killing in Somalia if US troops can pacify the strategic African nation, the Los Angeles Times has revealed. '
'The report, which appeared on January 18, revealed that almost two-thirds of Somalia was allocated to the oil giants Conoco, Amoco, Chevron and Phillips by the pro-US dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. Barre was overthrown in January 1991.'
'It seems a significant motive behind the decision of US President George Bush (Bush senior), a former Texas oil magnate, to send troops to Somalia may have been protecting the oil industry's multimillion-dollar investments there. '
Here we go again.
The EU has let the attrocities in Somalia go on for too long, as has the US. We finally do something about the genocide there and the EU complains. I guess it's just too bad that we had to justify by stating we were attacking 'Al Queda'. Should have just said we were defending the government of Somalia and left it at that.
Strangely, I typically am supportive of global initiatives with multilateral support, but in this case enough is enough.
Did King Bush have the right to bomb them? Did the Somalian Government allow it? or is this just another example of Bush bombing whomever he feels like whenever he feels like.
Well done EU
America bombs another country, kills a four year old boy and creates another 1,000 Islamic fundamentalists. I just didn't realise there was any oil in Somalia.
DO we really think that thye EU deliberately harbours terrorists?
Here's a couple:
Rumsfeld selling arms to Iraq
Fundraising for the IRA in the US.
This does not surprise me about the European Union. They chastise the US for launching this airstrike, but are unwilling to do anything themselves in support of the interim Somali government. The Somalis are calling for international peacekeepers, but they should not be looking towards the EU, they are useless.
The U.S. defending its national interests. Oh horrors. The EU could get a backbone someday, perhaps, maybe ... forget it. Can't happen.
i think it is absurd that US bombs somali civilian using the pretext of fighting al-qaeda and covering the coloniazation of somalia by ethiopian occupation as a proxy war of alqaeda, which i beliefe will only result more scam and hatred of Us not just somalis but every free, justise and peace loving humankind. however, as history tells somalis will not and never accept a puppet regime and ethiopian colonization.
Is it wrong to kill just to kill? That's a way of life for the some. Does the European Commission think that by sticking there head in the sand, that this Holy War will go away.
this tells you how the world or say the west is becoming anti-muslim. why is the u.s. government giving attention to somalia when the islamic courts union took over mogadishu? they brought order to one of the most dangerous city in the world and all of the sudden the u.s. sees them as a threat. i was born and raised in somalia and i m not happy with u.s. politics towards any muslim state but hopefully the TFG of somalia will work and life will be better for my people back home.
Tear 'em up!
Oh how most forget 9/11. We, the US, should never stop chasing them, never let them breath, always pressure them. For if we do, they will strike again and you will say that we should have done more to stop it. We must/will fight to the ends of the earth for freedom.
Why don't you lazy foreigners get off the sidelines and step up, instead of letting the US protect your bloated, beach-going non-working lifestyles with our military?
I am confused with all these comments. Use your heads for a second. The terorists killed want you dead. Guts pouring out, brain all over the floor. Yet, you people defend them. I for one like my guts where they are, and although i respect the freedom for your opinion, i hope that one day you will come to your senses, Hopefully that will happen before someone you know or care about i s blown to peaces.
Actually, the Somalian government has been supportive and grateful for this action.
There seems to be many out there that love to brain wash the American public into doing nothing. If the American people buy into the brain washing, they to will end up as others.
Somebody had to do it. The EU seems to believe that the problem will go away with talks. Terrorists only speak when they release a video of an innocent person being beheaded. Get a clue, EU.
Go ahead and talk about peaceful resolutions and political solutions. Just keep complaining about the people that are trying to actually do something more than sit around whining. When the Islamic fundamentalists come for you and put the sword to your neck your whining will be music to the ears of your executioners and your peaceful resolutions will die as certainly as you will.
As for me I will not allow myself to be dragged back into the 14th century. I choose to be free to worship or not as I choose. I don't want my daughters to have to live life as no more than a possesion. Sharia law is not my idea of a free and democratic society.
I want peace as much as you do. Believe me. But sometimes things worth having must be fought for. That includes peace.
The only order they brought was by executions in the street and making their religion the only one allowed. What wonderfull people these Islamists are. It will be slaughter once the Ethiopians leave if there is no peace keeping force with the backbone to stand up to murderers.
I admit the US is involve in too many area around the world and should scale back. Unfortunately, the US does not have that luxury because the EU isn't doing its part as a world leader. The EU wants to become a world leader but all you have to do is look into their backyard. Members are not united and are not committed to sending their troops when there a tough problem, i.e. NATO in Afghanistan. The French, German, Spanish, etc. wanted to stay in the safer zone and let the US, British and Canadians fight. Maybe NATO should be disbanded and let each country defend for themselves. They're wanted to be good guy and play in the middle where it's safe. I suggest that the EU do not call the US when something goes wrong or doesn't have the military force to hand emergencies
I had to stop reading the comments. How many of you have read about all the times in our history when we've used things like terrorism as an excuse to bomb countries to maintain instability? Sometimes, instability is profitable, and I believe this to be the case in Somalia. The way I see it, the US can ensure that no international peacekeeping force without them included will fail, thereby forcing nations all over the world to trust in us yet again, allowing us to take control of yet another oil producing country. I am an American citizen, and I'm happy to be here enjoying all of the freedoms I have, but I do not believe in the tactics our government has continually used to provide with these freedoms. I believe acts like this to be completely unnecessary and very counterproductive, as we will continue to make more enemies as long as we keep engaging in what I wouldn't hesitate to call acts of terrorism. What are the chances that an airstrike was really an effective means of dispatching terrorists without harming innocent civilians? Slim, very slim, as we've found in the past time and time again. I'm not saying everything I've said is definitely true, maybe we did just bomb terrorists with no other casualties, all I'm saying is that you all need to stop and think, maybe do a little research, before blindly following our nation into another war-like scenario, which this may well turn out to be. Ever wonder why Americans are so harshly criticized in other countries? I don't, it's because they're not as blinded by propaganda. Anyway, just think about everything before committing to an approval or disapproval of our recent actions.
oh come on.
first of all, the 'H' with the EU.
second: It isn't like any real live humans were hurt ya know.
Merely 'life forms.' Like ants, or roaches. Vermin.
ok, so they can walk upright. that doesn't make em human!
Go Air Force.
Impeachment - Those who allowed him back . . .what can I say.
One way of looking at possible oilfields in Somalia is evil USA goes to war to steal oil. Another is to notice that letting that wealth fall to Islamic imperialists isnt a good idea.
Clinton for 8 years did as you say above and what did it get us, 1000's dead here in our home land. Yes, Bush was in office but by then it was to late to stop it, he tries to stop it and people like you cry. So, lets do as you say and let it come to us again. Next time it'll be an Iranian nuke. You should go live other there and let us Red-Blooded Americans fight to keep it other there. Coward
THIS DOESNT SURPRISE ME ABOUT THE OIL, NEITHER DOES THE FACT THAT WE ARE AGAIN GOING BACK TO WAR, SEEMS TO BE CONSISTANT WITH THE 'BUSH' NAME. OIL OR NOT, IT'S TIME TO GIVE IT A REST AND LET US GO HOME. WE ARE TIRED OF DYING TO UNJUST CAUSES.
Of course the EU is angry at America for defending itself. These are the same people that get angry at Israel everytime it does something similar in it's own defense. Israel, it should be noted, is under far more constant attack than the US is. Israel used to have the support of what is now the EU up until the Six-Day War in 1967 when Israel defeated...no, whooped the asses of Syria, Jordan and Egypt and showed the world that while Israel may be a small country it is strong. Israel's military is today on par with the US's and is in fact far more experienced. But I'm off topic: the EU are a bunch of socialists and socialists hate, HATE any show of strength unless it's them doing it. Socialists are also herd animals, which is another reason why they don't like the fact that America often acts on it's own without seeking the permission of the EU and/or the UN to defend itself.
The EU talks the talk, the US walks the walk. And BTW, what has the EU done about Darfur lately?
I agree that dropping bombs is not an answer to the overall situation. The 'Bomb them because they bombed us becuase we bombed them because....' mentallity just brings about more violence. The conflict is never gonna be ended as long as the extremist on both sides of the conflict are in charge. Peace will only occur when everyone puts down there weapons and wants peace. The Islamic Extremists don't want peace and Bush and his crew don't want peace they want war. War is very productive and profitable for King George since it allows him to put in place laws and rules that limit the ability of his people to do anything to change his coarse of action. It would be nice if the world could sit down and say enoughs enough and everyone needs to get their greviences on the table and actually try to figure a compromise. I am sure that will never really happen. Bush doesn't want it since it would allow the people in the middle east to possibly stabalize and get out of the Middle ages in their lifestyle if that's what they want. Why does the US Government have the right to destablize and terrorize the people of the world they deem Terrorists. The only thing bombing people will do is create more Terrorist out to get the Americans. Two more years for the King. I'm voting Democrat again the next election. I am a peaceful person who wishes peace for all people of the world. I pray for change on both sides to see that peace and freedom for all life is what is right no matter what the person believes in for their way of life.
I used to think I was such an internationalist, but I think the U.S. should step back, way back. The Europeans are a lot closer geographically to the Horn of Africa/Middle East terrorists. Let them deal with it their way. Better yet, how about some of the more stable Middle Eastern countries get a backbone and take a lead? Now of course, if the U.S. retreats that means we the American people eventually will lose our precious oil. You know, the oil that we use in our cars to drive less than a mile to the convenience store? I don't buy the argument of putting the blame solely on the oil companies and the Bush administration. Let's face it...as an American, it's supposed to be 'we the people'. Frankly, 'we the people', need to think a little more, need to look a little more long term, need to find a way to become less dependent on oil and need to be more demanding of our politicians. More than half of us don't even vote - we're in our little world getting stuck in traffic. Enough ranting...ta,ta.
Can you see that praying is the problem. To many pray differently and force their will on others.
Once again dumb Yanks think it's their divine rights to commit any atrocity they whish aslong as their justify it with moronic rethorics to their fat stupid population.
18 dumb Yanks corpeses were dragged in the street of Mogadishu 13 years ago and you will be humiliated again. Just like in Vietnam, you may have the heavy weaponry but you lack bravery and intelligence and you will lose as you did in Vietnam.
You Yanks just never learn.
Does this crap ever end? Nope, it goes on an on under the purported guise of the never ending and extremely profitable for some 'War on Terror'. The US gov't. should stop 'bombing for profit' countries without deterrant nukes and potential oil-reserves.
What is once more obvious from this apparently uninvited 'assistance to the Somalis' is that US policies with regard to 'collateral damage' (military eufemism for innocent civilian deaths) when hunting Al Qaeda members in islamic countries is lightyears away from what would be considered acceptable on their home turf.
That is what makes actions like this so sad. Any country with such blatant double standards with regard to the value of human lives cannot realistically expect to be applauded for their 'hunt and destroy' actions like the one we're discussing here. The same goes for their aspiration to be seen as the main defender of 'freedom'.
Umm, they hit a training camp for jihadists. Am I missing something? Why should anyone truly have a problem with that?
Of course, I can see why the pacifists in the EU would but should anyone else?
'Let's just be inclusive and they'll stop training to blow up our trains, planes and hospitals.'
Alrighty then.
Did most of you loons not even read that story? One of the dead was the mastermind of the 1998 US Embassy bombing in Kenya. Maybe the airstike was in Somalia, not because there are 'oil and gas reserves' there, but because THAT guy (and 29 of his friends/allies) happened to be there? Get a clue people.
I think alot of you forget that the terrorist ARE civilians. They don't wear uniforms, so its hard to fight a camuflaged enemy. Innocent or guilty they all get the great reward, kill terrorists among innocents they all are martyred. As for creating more terrorists, yeah this all creates more, we are killing them, they have to recruit more then don't they. DUH! People, you make this all seem more complicated than it is. And by the way, the countries we bomb are not the only ones in the world with oil, don't be so ignorant, we haven't attacked Mexico yet, though maybe we should so we can absorb the whole country since half of them live here anyway.
LOL - even the Somalia leadership is OK with the exterminator killing the rats in his basement.
Pull your head out folks - they want you dead if you are an infidel. In their world you worship Satan if it is not Allah.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breaking/story.asp?j=88341946&p=8834zz48&n =88342326&x=
It's amazing what you can do when you control the weapons of the world.
And one more thing, LET VIETNAM GO! Most of you only know the vomit spewed forth from liberal traitors, actually go to a library, turn off CNN, and actively seek the truth about why Vietnam failed instead of listening to politicians and kooks.
The backlash against this in the Islamic world is inevitably going to create more terrorists. The only question is how many. I tend to think it's going to be more than the amount that were killed. It's this sort of idiotic emotion-driven foreign policy that is ruining the national security of the US.
The EU says that an International peace keeping force should be sent in which excludes thier troops. Once again they have all the solutions, but are unwilling to back up their suggestions. Peacekeepers have not worked in Israel, Rwanda, Lebanon, etc. This is a war against an enemy that will use what ever means necessary to win, we must do the same if we want to keep our freedoms.
All the EU does is criticize, condemn and complain. They have always let situations go on too long and then ask the US to bail them out. The french haven't won a war in 200 years..why should we listen to them? The only ones with any 'cohones' in 'Eurabia' any more are the Brits. Europe has an islamic cancer in their midst and they are playing ostrich and sticking their heads in the proberbial hole hoping it will go away. The EU is just afraid to confront dictators and head off wider wars so millions have died due to their cowardice...and then they call the good old US to bail them out....again, as in their back yard in the Balkans, which is something they did not have the intestinal fortitude to do themselves.
It has become a knee jerk reaction for the world to view any US policy as negative. Al Queda doesn't suffer the same constrains that the US does. The war against terrorism is a legit war and those who support should it should be made to pay the consequences. There is no political solutions that would work with extreme Islamic fundamentalist except annihilation. The world needs to accept this reality.
No - Alkea
It is high time US ended its big brotherly attitude on mostly Muslim countries
Hummm, let's see....The terrorists that bombed at least two embassies, killing hundreds, are in the village along with a good number of their cohorts. The 5 million dollar reward has no success, so what else is left? Let's not forget of course the wonderful folks in Germany who sentence another terrorists to a full 15 years for killing 3000 people in New York on 911. The EU is a total and complete waste of time, arrogant, quick to render judgement, and very slow to respond to provide any assistance on the global war on outright terrorism.
How educated people can not realize that the Muslim extremists will kill every man, woman and child among us if not PERMANANTLY stopped is truly difficult to believe. A four year old boy was killed along with 49 terrorists? Too bad - and no, I'm not cold hearted, but the terrorists brought the four year old boy there, not the US.
Do I like war? Heck no, it scares the hell out of you and you want to be anywhere else but there when the shooting is going on. Do we need to kill the enemy. You bet. And if they bring women and children with them to their 'safe houses', they should expect not to be safe. And the 100 terrorists we 'made' by this bombing would be terrorists without the bombing. How f**king stupid to say 'Don't be mean to them, they'll get angry with us and try to kill us'... they're already trying to kill us. My shipmates on the Cole can attest to that. Get real, people. They will kill you if you don't get them first.
The EU has nothing to do with US Foreign policy. The US has been working closely with the Somalian Government and Ethiopian forces providing much needed intelligence to their forces on the ground. I am sure that we coordinated the attack on the remanents of the Islamic Courts fighters and their Al-Qaeda operatives. I am also sure that we had both air survelance and clearance to strike these groups.
The EU can complain all they want but we should so no mercy to anyone harboring, supporting, or financing Al-Qaeda. They did not display any such mercy on 9/11 so let them get what they deserve. We should use every means to hunt down and kill or bring to justice those that directly or indirectly took actions against our country.
I only wish they would have brought in a fixed-wing jet to drop heavy munitions on these suspectes to ensure we met our goals.
Al-Qaeda is starting to find out that the reach of the US is greater than they ever imagined.
The U.S. air raid in Somalia 'against Alcaida' is just a prelude to President Bush's address to the nation tonight to convince a skeptical nation, if not Congress, that increased funding is needed for a surge in troops in Iraq and that he has a winning plan. Well, didn't it work in Somalia? Bush will be saying: 'Trust me. This will work. I have a plan.' Just watch Bush make this connection tonight in his 'cheerleader' speech!
What left wingers, UN and EU cretins fail to understand is that Islamic extremists want them dead as well.
Terrorists don't want to 'talk.' They want you dead.
Thankfully we can express our opinions here without the fear of someone dragging us into the street and killing us for not following their ideas of what life should be. Our way or death, what a great concept the Islamists have.
Those who destroy for profit will reap what they sow. These so-called 'wars' are created to fool eager patriots into believing the us versus them hogwash. The so called 'War on Drugs' has done nothing but create profit for our wonderful prison industrial complex as does the 'War on Terror' which creates enemies to destroy feeding contracts for the defense establishment. What a crying shame!
Hey EU, when we want your opinion we'll give it to you. So just keep quiet, continue not having children, and fade into history like the good, post-modern atheists you are.
Sincerely,
Ugly American
' Rumsfeld selling arms to Iraq
Fundraising for the IRA in the US.'
The ignorance of Humans will never end , it has always been the same.
'arms to Iraq' ??? Look it up . The VAST majority of Iraq Arms came from EUROPE NOT AMERICA !!! Look it up !
' Fundraising for the IRA in the US ' . See Iraq . The vast majority of IRA money comes from Ireland NOT America . Then there is the large amount that comes from Canada and Australia and Europe and ...
I don't know why i even bother other than i have a conscience that does not allow me to believe hyper-biased lunatic dogma ....
I am dismayed by the lack of common sense, naivete, and lack of knowledge displayed by the hate America first Americans. We have the wherewithal to win the global war, but do we have the resources to win the PR war at home? If we lose we can blame the leadership if the Democratic party, the misnamed education establishment (it should be the indoctrination establishment- they 'teach' what to think, not how to think) and the so-called mainstream media. How sad that we may be defeated by the dumbest and weakest among us.
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JimJan 9th, 2007 - 14:12:59
So, the E-pee-U again wants to protect Islamic extremists. Nothing new about that, Hell, they harbored most of the 9/11 terrorists for many years.
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