The President Deserves Support : Somalia address offers proper balance, insight and common sense

The course of action in Somalia outlined by President Clinton on Thursday, in his brief but effective nationwide address, is not without risk. Indeed, with Americans in harm’s way there, further U.S. casualties appear inevitable between now and the newly announced pullout date of March 31. But the alternative course--immediate and total withdrawal, whatever the consequences for now and the future--offers greater risk.

For one thing, it would leave behind without immediate protection at least one captured U.S. helicopter pilot and untold numbers of largely grateful Somalis who are now eating decent food and bathing in clean water because of the heroic American response to the human tragedy there. Also abandoned would be scores of humanitarian workers and the reputation of the United States as a steady, unshakable military and political superpower.

By contrast, Clinton’s wiser approach, for the cost of about about 5,300 more soldiers and Marines and additional equipment, permits the United States to wind down its commitment with measured calm and due caution. To stay much longer would be to go beyond public and congressional sentiment, which obviously is for withdrawal. So, from the Oval Office, in a now almost classic Clintonesque fashion, the President outlined a sensible though not detailed Somalia policy.

We emphasize this point to our California delegation and Congress at large. The President has taken a lot of flak in the last day or two. We’re not asking for cessation of criticism or suspension of watchfulness. But in the grand tradition of bipartisanship in American foreign policy, the time has come not only to prudently and determinedly leave Somalia but to firmly support the President.