SOMALIA: The Russians on Africa's Horn

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Both the Somalis and the Russians at Berbera appeared surprised last week by the zeal of Senator Bartlett and the Pentagon specialists who accompanied him. .After landing in 110° heat on a bumpy dirt runway, they set off immediately to inspect the area. A U.S. technician scrambled atop one of nine newly built fuel-storage tanks and whipped out binoculars for a better view. Another sifted through refuse in a men's room at the port, looking for Soviet cigarette butts. The Russians at Berbera, of whom there may be as many as 1,000, were obviously under instructions to keep out of sight during the Americans' visit. One Russian at what was apparently a radio tower hid his head in a towel when he spotted an American staring at him. One of the Senator's aides opened the door of a housing trailer and found six startled Russians inside. More to the point, a gray crate that bore Cyrillic letters was identified by a Russian-speaking U.S. technician as "having to do with a missile operation."

No Americans. The Bartlett party, which made occasional rest stops to gulp Gatorade, quickly learned that the Russians were not enthusiastic about the visit. When the Senator approached a barracks ship housing at least 200 Russians, a Soviet sailor refused to let him aboard. Later the party was barred from visiting the two radio stations. Explained Colonel Ahmed Suleiman, head of the security service: "Please understand that if it were up to me, I would let you in. But the Russians say, 'No Americans,' and the facility was built with their money." In the meantime, a U.S. technician was surveying the clusters of rhombic antennas and generators. "Long-range, multidirectional stuff," he noted. "Real fancy, very efficient by its appearance."

Bartlett was allowed to enter the main building with four American technicians, but newsmen were not admitted. "No doubt about it," the Senator said when he came out 20 minutes later. "It's a missile-handling facility, complete with derricks and tracks for easy movement. We were told that we wouldn't be allowed to ask questions, and they refused to show us one bunker. But we know what's inside. There's nothing there right now, but the complex has the capability of being expanded into a major missile facility. We knew what it was the minute we went inside."

What is the significance of the Soviet foothold in Somalia? From their headquarters at Berbera, the Russians would have the capability of dominating the southern approach to the Suez Canal. With missile-equipped naval vessels they could harass the sea lanes around the Persian Gulf, easily attaining naval dominance over large stretches of the Indian Ocean. On the other hand, the

Bartlett trip will undoubtedly increase the chances that Congress will appropriate funds for expanding U.S. military facilities on Diego Garcia, the tiny British-owned island that lies some 2,000 miles off the coast of East Africa and 1,000 miles south of India.