Europe concerned over Somalia air strikes

Sustained air strikes in Somalia may earn the US results in its war on terrorism. But they were raising concerns around the globe.

In Europe, the Somali crisis highlighted again that in Britain, Prime Minister Tony Blair is often at odds with the rest of the 27-nation European Union when it comes to US foreign policy.

EU nations led the way today in criticising the US action, saying efforts first and foremost needed to be targeted at facilitating the deployment of an international force to stabilise the strategic Horn of Africa nation.

The US attacks “complicate the situation in Somalia and could increase the tensions that are already strong in the country,” French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said.

The EU’s executive Commission and Italy also joined in the criticism.

Germany, which currently holds the EU’s presidency, said the main challenge now should be to deliver humanitarian aid, foster an inner-Somali dialogue and facilitate the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops.

“The priority for us in these days and weeks is stabilising Somalia,” said German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Jeager.

The US launched air strikes on Monday to try to capture al-Qaida members thought to be fleeing since the Islamic militia began losing ground last month, and to ensure the militants will no longer threaten Somalia’s UN-backed transitional government.

Somali officials have said the US had a right to strike, and one even called on America to send in ground troops to help root out extremists. But in Europe, only Blair came out clearly in defense of the US action.

“We should be there standing up and supporting those who are combating that terrorism and giving people the chance to live in better circumstances,” he told MPs in the House of Commons.

The African Union’s chief executive, Alpha Oumar Konare, said he was concerned by the US strikes and stressed ”the need for all concerned actors to refrain from any action likely to complicate the current situation.”

The attacks only increased fears it would be difficult to establish an international force to stabilise the country and leaders of Somalia’s Islamic movement have vowed to launch a guerrilla war.

Richard Cornwell, an analyst with South Africa’s Institute for Security Studies, said the US military action ”certainly complicates matters” with regard to an African peacekeeping mission.

“Any sort of peacekeeping mission is fraught with difficulties if there is no political situation it can be hooked on to,” he said. “Certainly it would be a matter of some surprise were the AU to be able to mount a sizeable or effective operation in Somalia within the next few months.”

South Africa is among the countries that have been approached about sending peacekeepers. It has said it is considering the request, and had no comment Wednesday on the US military action.