Issue: U.S. Aid to Somalia

Considering the plight of the poor in Los Angeles and other major American cities, what do you think of the United States’ military and humanitarian roles in the effort to aid the destitute people of Somalia?

Richard Dekmejian: USC professor of political science

In the past, I have warned about over-involvement, although in the case of Somalia and other trouble spots, without the United States’ role, the tragedies would be so much greater. I’ve spoken about giving priority to our domestic problems, especially poverty. In the Reagan years, we’ve been too involved externally, giving military and economic aid to countries, many of which were dictatorial. But I support a limited American involvement in places like Somalia, under United Nations’ auspices . . . although I do not think we should do it unilaterally. Others should pay and get involved as well. I wonder whether we needed 30,000 troops in Somalia; I felt we could use 10,000 troops and other multinational forces. This is the challenge, of course, to strike just the right balance. . . .

Herman Francis: Los Angeles resident, unemployed

I’ve been watching it all on television, and I kind of feel strongly about it because I’m black. People are starving--children and women are starving. It’s heartbreaking to me. I feel if the United States can intervene on other issues, they can intervene on this. I hate seeing children and families dying because they don’t have food. If we’re going to spend our money on drugs, commerce, education, we might as well spend it on (aid to Somalia) too, because people do need it. I do believe in keeping money here and helping the homeless also, but this is much needed.

Gabriel Lopez: Bell Gardens resident, student

I have a sister in the Army and I think it’s good (the U.S. is helping Somalia). There are other people who need help, not just here. There are problems everywhere. My sister thinks it’s great too. It gives her some feeling of doing something good, not just for herself but for others. With the Persian Gulf, I had some feelings that (U.S. troops) shouldn’t go over, because my sister was in the Army and it was fighting. It wasn’t helping other people.

Nora Giron: Los Angeles County resident, senior auditor

It’s good because of the humanitarian purpose. And it’s not like our government is not helping people here; there are times people are not doing their job--to help themselves. It has to be two ways. We should be solving both problems--internally and outside. For instance, there’s so much difficulty getting a job. The government should address the issues regarding the unemployed. That’s another part of government.