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BEING PLAYED. Eric Martin continues his outstanding work on the Ethiopia-Somali conflict by highlighting this aspect of Andrew McGregor's fine report:
TFG Prime Minister Gedi maintains that the relentless shelling of north Mogadishu is designed to clear out "terrorist groups." Using the now familiar language of those seeking U.S. military support, Gedi referred to "al-Qaeda operatives" while insisting that only terrorists opposed the government: "there are no Hawiye people involved in the conflict" (Somaliweyn Radio, April 21). The TFG seems well aware that clan warfare rarely brings the type of U.S. support that can be expected by allies in the war on terrorism. According to a Hawiye spokesman, Ethiopian officers insisted during a meeting with the Hawiye cease-fire committee that the attacks on Ethiopian positions in the capital were being carried out by al-Qaeda, a suggestion the Hawiye rejected.Indeed, it would be surprising if the various factions in the conflict didn't appeal to the United States through false claims of Al Qaeda participation on the other side. Given that our perception of the conflict will almost always be cloudier than that of those on the ground, there is ample opportunity for "friendly" deception. Ethiopia has reasons to interfere in Somalia that extend well beyond any Al Qaeda involvement, and Ethiopia knows that the US will lose interest if Al Qaeda isn't around. The incentives for deception are clear.--Robert Farley
