EMERSON AND SIMON IN GROUP THAT SUPPORTS SOMALIA POLICY

Members of two congressional delegations that recently traveled to Somalia, Africa, Tuesday issued a joint statement supporting President George Bush's policy toward the nation.

Sen. Paul Simon, D-Ill., chairman of the African affairs subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., chief House deputy whip and member of the Congresssional Black Caucus, separately led congressional delegations to Somalia within the past two weeks.

Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Mo., also joined the delegation. Emerson, of Cape Girardeau, was the only Republican in the two groups.

In the joint statement, the lawmakers said: "The leadership by President George Bush and Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger to respond to the desperate plight of the people of Somalia is action we support. Every day that goes by without the delivery of food means more lives that will be lost needlessly."

The senators and congressmen said they support administration efforts to provide humanitarian aid in Somalia, but also that they stand ready to support the use of force if necessary.

"Obviously, the United States should not act alone," the statement said. "The community of nations has a responsibility to help this ailing nation of Somalia.

"We've responded with troops when land was at risk and oil in danger," the lawmakers said. "It is certainly appropriate that we should act when our troops have an opportunity to save lives."