Somalia seeks 20,000 peacekeepers

Somalia's newly elected president, Abdullahi Yusuf, requested the African Union for 20,000 soldiers to help restore peace in his war-torn country. Since the fall of military dictator Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991, Somalia has been ruled by neighboring warlords. Yusuf believes in order for the government to regain control, it must stop the warlords and seize their weapons. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana says the European Union would help train Somali security troops, but many believe Yusuf will not receive the troops he requests. Since the failed mission in 1993 when two U.S. helicopters were shot down, foreign nations have been leery to help. Many feel Somali political officials must first take the initiative towards peace before other countries become involved. Matt Bryden, a senior analyst for the International Crisis Group think-tank said, "The heavy lifting has to be done by the Somalis first."