People-oriented reconstruction

The article "Ethiopia Rebuilds Ruined Economy," Jan. 13, is very timely, as the efforts in that country may serve as a model of what will be needed to rebuild Somalia.

Real, lasting peace must be negotiated in Somalia before any rebuilding can occur, but we must broaden peace negotiations to include more than just militia leaders; it must include village elders and remaining professional or women's groups. Once civil war can end peacefully, rebuilding of the Somali infrastructure and society can begin, and that reconstruction must be directed by that country's own people.

Only with real long-term aid that is people-oriented rather than weapon-oriented, will successful reconstruction occur. Robert N. Wiedenmann, College Station, Texas

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