SOMALIA

Clearly outlining a complex situation, this ``Headliner'' will serve well as background for current events. Ricciuti's flowing narrative presents Somalia's war-torn history, pointing out its strategic location as an important factor. Unlike Africa's other colonial creations, Somalia is free of ethnic conflict, but the stresses of an arid climate, border warfare, and clan divisions have starved the country and made it ungovernable, says Ricciuti, thus leading to foreign occupation. Wisely, he hedges the optimistic ``mainstream'' view that the new Transitional National Council will lead to peace: ``Its success would depend on the cooperation and commitment of Somalia's people.'' Personalities like ``warlord'' clan leaders and celebrities appearing for charitable relief are mentioned but not profiled. Illustrations are well chosen and captioned, though some maps are in more detail than the text demands (e.g., ``Areas receiving aid''). Chronology; short bibliography; index. (Nonfiction. 10-13)