When the US calls, Australia usually snaps to attention. This was certainly the case with Vietnam and the Gulf War when Australia snapped to attention a little too smartly. Yet on the occasion of the US asking for Australian troops for Somalia we have dithered. On this occasion Australia should have responded to with alacrity. The former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, virtually asked the US to ask us to send troops to the Gulf where they would be engaged in a war. Yet now, when Australian troops are needed to ensure food gets to starving Somalians we are dithering.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Gareth Evans, told the Senate last week that the US had asked Australia to contribute. “”The Government is considering various options in this respect and decisions will be taken shortly. I’m not in a position, however, to indicate right now what our reaction will be,” he said. He said the disarmament part of operation would be difficult, dangerous and perhaps protracted. The famine relief part should be over within two or three months.
The US is providing 28,000 troops to Operation Restore Hope. Canada, France and several African countries are also sending troops and other countries have indicated they might join the force. It is important for Australia to join them for moral and practical reasons. Many Australians have generously given aid to Somalia or have given money to aid organisations working there. Much of it is being stolen by gangsters and bandits. It is as important to see the aid goes to the intended recipients as to give it in the first place. The people of Somalia are victims of the Cold War. The warlords are largely armed by the remnant of weapons poured in by the Soviet Union and the US during the Cold War in the naive belief that one side or other was genuinely socialist or democratic-capitalist. It has happened in many African countries. But the fighters were not fighting for ideology, just power. Russia, as the inheritor of the Soviet Empire probably has more moral responsibility than anyone, but is not in a position to do anything. The burden must lie with US and its Cold War allies to disarm those who they earlier armed. Overwhelmingly, though, the main reason for Australia to take part is the humanitarian one. Despite the recession, Australia is still one of the world’s wealthiest nations. We are capable of helping and should do so.
It is also important to widen the number of nations taking part, so Operation Restore Hope is seen as an international effort. If international forces are seen more often to restore order and help the innocent in civil wars, the more likely they will be a deterrent to future lawlessness. When international efforts fail because of a lack of wide support, it only encourages the forces of international lawlessness.
Australia’s contribution will cost. With an election coming up, the Government might prefer not to open the coffers other than for spending on voters at home. The election might also frighten a Government from getting involved in something which has no definite timetable. However, even on this cynical plane there is still good reason for Australia’s involvement. Many people in Australia given to foreign-aid agencies. They like seeing Australia active in helping less fortunate people overseas and would more likely support a Government that helped carry out those wishes.