SOMALIA CONCEDES DEFEAT IN OGADEN

Feburary 28th 1981

Source: The Economist

In Somalia's dilapidated capital, crudely painted hoardings incite the population to destroy the ''imperialist'' army of neighbouring Ethiopia. The hate remains real, but no longer the intent. Somalia has more or less given up its war against Ethiopia for possession of the Ogaden. After four years of fighting the last units of the regular Somali army were pulled out last month, leaving the Soviet-backed Ethiopians in unquestioned control of the disputed territory. The only ray of light for President Siad Barre is the prospect of American support to balance Russia's muscular presence in Ethiopia.

This support began taking shape this month with the Reagan administration's decision to supply the Somali army with radar and anti-aircraft weapons worth $45m--a modest offering, which reflects America's wariness about getting sucked into a superpower clash in the Horn. The military aid was conditional upon the Somali army's complete withdrawal from the Ogaden. President Barre was supposed to have removed his troops two years ago, but they are known to have continued a rearguard action. It was only in January that the A