_WORLD WATCH______________________________
____________________ Somalia ________________

Warns against bombing
Campaign would be counterproductive
A Catholic bishop in Somalia has warned against military strikes against that country, saying that an American bombing campaign would increase rather than ease the dangers of terrorism.

In an interview with the Fides news service, Bishop Giorgio Bertin of Djibouti—who doubles as the apostolic administrator of Somalia—reacted strongly to the suggestion that Western forces might turn their attention to Somalia as the war against terrorism continues.

“Bombing Somalia would not be a solution. On the contrary, it would only breed more terrorists,” the bishop said. “I ask the political leaders in the West to give up this idea and use other means to fight terrorism.”

Bishop Bertin pointed out that Somalia is a nation in chaos, with no effective central government. Although there are Islamic fundamentalist groups active in the region, he said, “these extremists are isolated from the rest of society.” The militant groups are also poorly organized, he added, and have been weakened by their internal conflicts and clashes with Ethiopian forces.

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