Dear FRONTLINE,
Thank you Frontline for providing the first responsible comprehensive report on the operation in Somalia. In this day of Trash TV and tabliod journalism practiced by nearly every press organization on the face of the planet it is comforting to know that you people take your responsibilities with the seriousness required of such an important issue. Without your level of competence most of us would never know the true story or even have the facts to decide for ourselves.
John Bonham
charleston, wv
Dear FRONTLINE, I was very moved by the interviews with the Rangers who surviving this debacle. They certainly should be proud and the the citizens of this country should be proud that we have such fine people in our military. I was, however, horrified and ashamed at the actions of this administration in sending our troops into that nightmare. After listening to Casey Joyce's father and President Clinton's response, which amounted to pushing off the responsibility onto a subordinate, the issue of character certainly struck me. It also brought to mind David Frost's interview with George Bush. I recall very clearly President Bush's discussion with David Frost following the Gulf War and his emotion at sending men and women to die particularly given his own combat experience. There is no comparison.
cincinnati, ohio
Dear FRONTLINE, My father was working for one of the many construction companies contracting with the UN in Somalia during the time of the ambush.
I was always amazed at how the photos and letters he sent me describing and depicting the situation in Mogadishu differed so much from what was being reported on the nightly news. Much of what went on over there has never been fully reported. I thank Frontline for delving into this situation and helping to bring it to light. After watching the episode, it's clear to me that our armed forces were not only sold out by the Clinton administration, but by the UN and our "allies" as well. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the brave men who lost their lives in this operation.
Walter Williams
ithaca, new york
Dear FRONTLINE, I noticed that in your list of weapons, you didn't include the soviet made anti-aircraft guns that were a favorite weapon of the Somilian militias. They liked them because they could be aimed like a rifle and deliver an explosive charge like an artillary piece. Thus making them a great weapon for untrained warriors.
You also attributed the destruction of at least one helicopter to a short range, shoulder fired rocket grenade. While this is certianly more appealing to the military (accidental lucky shot??) than admitting that they foolishly risked helicopters in areas where effect anti-aircraft guns were known to be in operation ( granted against ground targets, but there none the less) it also allows the generals to stand blameless while saying they did their best with what they had. They didn't.
Gary Franklin
colorado springs, co
Dear FRONTLINE, I just want to thank you for your outstanding report of what happened in somalia. I myself was deployed with the 1st Mar. Div. and arrived in Mogadishu Dec. 26,'92 and was part of Operatoin Restore Hope. Initially we were assigned as Airport security, and about 2 weeks later we started foot patrols. Our hands were tied when it came to confrontations with Somalia gunmen!! Coincidentally the first U.S military person and U.S.Marine killed in country happened to be with my Unit. The 11th Marines. We were shortly moved out of the airport, and took over two locations in the heart of Mogadishu. check point 50, and check point 57"Heinz 57" In these areas the patrols continued, the confrontations increased, but yet We still could not return fire unless the threat was directly intended for us!! People died because our hands were tied!! I personally am greatful that the Rangers were allowed to fight back when our hands were tied! I could go on and on, but mine/ours was a different day, different battle but all the same. Semper Fi Rangers.
Jason Deitschman
castro valley, ca
Dear FRONTLINE, Did they die in vain? I really admired what Keni Thomas said at the end when he reflected on what to tell his buddy's parents, that he was there to be their for the guy next to him and back him up. Did there need to be a WWII? or a Vietnam? or a Somalia? who knows, but everything he stood for was played out right there, and therefore no one could die in vain. These men are true soldiers with honour.
John Moore
san francisco, ca
Dear FRONTLINE, As I watched the show, I was reminded that nothing we dramatize can ever be as powerful as the real thing. "Saving Private Ryan" has got nothing on "Ambush in Mogadishu". Most of all, though, it's a tragedy that there is ever a war to dramatize, or document. Thanks for a powerful program.
Maureen Muldaur
santa monica, california
Dear FRONTLINE, Great Program. For all the talk of Desert Storm exercising the demons of Vietnam, the tragedy of Somalia shows that we still have not learned our lesson when it comes to deploying our military troops overseas. The failure of the Clinton administration to not only provide its Armed Forces with the proper equipment, but also in failing to let the military commanders on the ground have total control over this military operation (especially in the area of intelligence gathering and disemination) is inexcusable. Unfortunately, in this case, it also cost some very brave Americans their lives.
After watching the program and seeing the behind-the-scenes accounts between the President, Les Aspin, and (then National Security Advisor) Anthony Lake. It's frightening to see that these leaders, who were at the very top of our defense establishment, were not communicating with each other regarding what was going on in Mogadishu, let alone communicating with the troops on the ground in Somalia.
I was in an engineering unit stationed in Egypt at the time of the attack and was in Mogadishu several weeks after the attack in October 1993. What I remember about that time is talking with the personnel who had to deal with the bodies coming back into the UN camp from the fight. Blood, blood, everywhere. From the dead to the wounded. It's so sad and my heart goes out to those families who lost loved ones that day.
I hope this never happens again.
Keith Skogen
tucson, az
Dear FRONTLINE, I cannot possibly express all the
myriad of emotions that I felt while
watching Ambush in Mogadishu but there
was one that struck when I heard about the female staffer make a derogatory comment regarding military uniforms being worn in
the White House. Rage was probably the first
emotion followed by loathing that she was
only spouting the sentiments of her boss, William Jefferson Clinton. The guilt I now
feel about voting for him in the 1992 election is terrible and when I see the the President of the United States now I have to
actively stop myself from regurgitating. I have to tell those brave men that died and survived in Somalia that I am so very very sorry that I voted that man into office to
be Commander-in-Chief. The only positive turn of events that I can point to as solace is that he hasn't dared do any more 'nation building' - a totally egotistical enterprise
but one I've come to expect from this very evil man.
mesa, arizona
Dear FRONTLINE, What a shame that the Clinton Administration treated the military so unprofessionally. A Washington D.C. chess game with the American military as their pawns. I salute the U.S. Army Rangers for their dedication and true professionalism.
Robert Meis
simi valley, ca
Dear FRONTLINE, Thank you for airing this program. I hope policymakers watched it. I think we can learn more from our mistakes than when things go well inspite of ourselves as Socrates said , "The unexamined life is not worth living." We can not be afraid to take on such missions because as the world's melting pot we have a responsibility as the last great hope for mankind to provide leadership in pursuit of the greater good of a world community where all nations can come together and live peaceably.
Don Groeneveld
muskegon heights, michigan
Dear FRONTLINE, The U.S. military commanders requested (more than once) U.S. M-1 Abrams tanks as a back up to be sent to Somalia to protect our brave boys from the possibility of this ambush. The request was denied by the Clinton Administration due to pressure from the Congressional Black Caucus. You report should have pointed this out. Military commanders said our boys would have been rescued with 15 minutes if the M-1's were at the aiport as they had been requested. The narrow alleys and buildings would not have presented a problem for the M-1 tanks. The U.S. lost very few soldiers in the Gulf War because the military were allowed to do their job and receive the resources they needed. George Bush and Bob Dole were right, character does matter. This disaster was the fault of the Clinton Administration. Your report was very good but you failed to point out the obvious blame for this tragedy.
boca raton , fl
Dear FRONTLINE, I don't think people realize what these young men went through and what it cost them. I am 21 years old and can not imagine having to be in that situation. we should all be very grateful and thankfull for those who risked and lost their lives.
Jason Daniel
houston, texas
Dear FRONTLINE, I really enjoyed this program. I was moved by the comments of those who where involved...it makes me wonder more about Bill Clinton and his ability, or inability, to be our Commander-in Chief! What a mistake from beginning to end.
Charles Reynolds
chattanooga, tenneseee
Dear FRONTLINE, I was extremely shocked to see the program on Somalia . As a Canadian we
have our share of controversy as to what happened in Somalia. My impression was
that , although I feel abit unsure of what
a Ranger or Delta force soldier is trained to do , those specifically in this operation , I doubt they are supermen. It would take this
to complete such a rediculous and stupid operation of which only the planners and
top brass are to blame for its failure. I cannot see any other scenerio happening .
There was complete ignorance as to the
"HOW" one can attack a hiding foe in a city of hostile people with extremely lightly
armoured vehicles and helicopters? Absolutely rediculous. I really feel for those
soldiers involved it was an impossible operation. From a Canadian point of view it is again a Government and military willing to risk the lives of its soldiers at a whim and when the dust falls blame goes everywhere but where it should go and the dead remain silent. I think whoever planned this deserves a kick in the ass and to be accountable in a court . I think as well a point should be made that these Somalis deserved what they got , there is no lower life form than that which deliberately starves its own people to death. The warlords and their supporters should all have been wiped out . The media does not show the Somali starving to death only sympathy for those who carried guns and kept food away from them for their own profit. A few members of The Canadian Airborne Regiment in Somalia tortured and
killed a young Somali , our media painted as an inocent child , theres no such thing in Somalia. The disbandment of this fine regiment , because of the actions of a few is a disgrace in this country because they were the only ones who knew who the real enemy was and acted as professional
soldiers and did something about it. Somalia was a situation where you either kill all the bad guys first and then try and help in some way or stay out all together.
Soldiers are not allowed to be soldiers and are dictated to by ignoramous politicians or
media. (In this case a few real idiot Generals etc. as well )are the ones who by their stupidity and bia's coverage kill the American and Canadian soldier.
ottawa, ontario
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