The World - News from Feb. 7, 1989

The United States secretly cut off shipments of ammunition and other lethal equipment to Somalia last summer in response to widespread human rights violations during a campaign against guerrillas, U.S. officials said. The aid suspension came to light as Prime Minister Mohammed Ali Samantar concluded a U.S. visit aimed partly at bolstering Somalia’s international image. Samantar, denying the charges of rights abuses, said all political prisoners are being released and that the government is willing to move toward a political settlement with the rebels. Last September, Amnesty International said security forces had executed hundreds of unarmed civilians.