European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 15, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                First sgt. Daniel Mace Brief a is troops on the dangers they will face As they move out in Convoy from Mogadishu to the town of Bale doge. Keeping Young somalian men out o f military compounds la a never ending task for u.$, forces. Theft la one of the biggest problems faced by those in uniform. The Low Hilts near Mogadishu Airport Are lined with shanties. Dark Side. Continued from Page 19 african nation since he arrived with the Advance team in mid december. Several marines and soldiers have had their glasses mostly wire rimmed taken right off their faces. Presumably to be sold for the Small amount of scrap wire they provide. Somalis often children create a diversion to slow Down the convoys then someone comes up and quickly snatches the glasses from the unsuspecting marines and soldiers. Some somalis have fashioned a Hook out of strands of Metal a Little thicker than a coat Hanger. The Hook has about a 4 to 5-foot handle. That Way they can snatch glasses from people on moving vehicles one Marine said his glasses disappeared before he knew what had happened. He said it would t have been Safe to leave the vehicle and Chase them. Other items frequently taken Are res water bottles and other containers and Wood or any Loose pieces of Metal on the  stealing in t limited to moving targets somalis Are constantly getting into the Mogadishu air and sea ports and stealing anything they can carry. Those on the convoys face the constant danger of being hit by rocks especially near the port. As the vehicles move by somalis including children hurl Large rocks at the vehicles. The somalis Aren t intimidated by the size of the vehicles either. They la pitch rocks at Hetts pronounced hem its full of armed soldiers. Hetts Are Mack size trucks used to haul cargo and equipment Quot Well be moving pretty fast so hold on Quot Duffey said before taking a two vehicle Hemet Convoy from a secured area in Western Mogadishu to the port. Quot you need to hold on too because i May have to Tromp it to get out of a bad situation i m doing it to protect your Butts. They be thrown rocks at us  service members Aren t Safe inside a compound either. Soldiers have been hit by rocks As they re using their makeshift latrines or burning trash. Somalis have heaved rocks Over 10-foot Walls to hit unsuspecting gis. One Marine was stringing razor wire at the port to keep people from illegally entering the area when about 70 children started throwing rocks at him. He was hit a dozen times suffering a 3-Inch Gash above his right Eye. Then there s the Ever present danger of being shot at or caught in a firelight Between barring factions. Its not unusual to be driving through Mogadishu and hear gunfire and see Young children Point to the weapons stashed under their shirts. Quot the people Chew the khat and show their Power Quot said capt. Bill Morris operations officer for the 10th Mountain div Light from fort drum . Khat is an amphetamine like drug used by Many somalis. J Morris said the shooting usually begins in Early afternoon and continues until Well after Midnight. All the danger and thievery has put some soldiers on Edge. Often when Drivers see a somali even a child inthe Road who looks like he might approach a vehicle they will Speed up and head toward the person. That Way one Driver said it won t be possible for the person to cause harm or steal anything from the vehicle. Quot we have to move fast on convoys Quot Duffey said. This country has turned  into Little  Page 20 a the stars and stripes Friday january 15, 1993