Diplomat Critical Of U.S. Aid To Somali Warlords Moved

U.S. Moves Diplomat Critical of Somali Warlord Aid

By REUTERS
Published: May 30, 2006
Filed at 7:54 a.m. ET

NAIROBI (Reuters) - A top U.S. official handling Somalia has been transferred from his job after criticising payments to warlords that are said to be fuelling some of Mogadishu's worst-ever fighting, diplomats said on Tuesday.

Fellow analysts in the close-knit community of Somalia- watchers in Nairobi said the State Department transferred Michael Zorick, formerly Somali political affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya, to the Chad embassy after he spoke out.

The move exposes a rift inside the U.S. government on how to handle Somalia -- whether efforts to build peace should come before counter-terrorism -- and the effect Washington's perceived role has had in inflaming fighting there.

At least 320 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the anarchic city since February in battles between the warlords, who dubbed themselves the Alliance for the Restoration of Peace and Counter-Terrorism, and Islamist militias.

more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/washington/politics-security-somalia.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

When will these clucking hens in State ever learn?

"Hello, Condi? mission accomplished. He is toast."