US funding Somali warlords-intelligence experts say

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) The United States has been funneling more than 0,000 a month to warlords battling Islamist militia in Somalia, according to a Somalia expert who has conferred with the groups in the country.

The US operation, which former intelligence officials say is aimed at preventing emergence of rulers who could provide al Qaeda with a safe haven akin to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, appeared to be seriously set back today when an Islamic coalition claimed control of Mogadishu.

US government officials refused to discuss any possible secret US involvement in the strategically placed Horn of Africa state, which has been wrecked by years of fighting.

But former US intelligence officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject, said an operation to support the warlords' alliance appeared to involve both the CIA and US military.

John Prendergast, who monitors Somalia for the think-tank International Crisis Group, said he learned during meetings with alliance members in Somalia that the CIA was financing the warlords with cash payments.

Prendergast estimated that CIA-operated flights into Somalia have been bringing in 0,000 to 0,000 per month for the warlords.

The flights remain in Somalia for the day, he said, so that US agents can confer with their allies.

The Bush administration has maintained a silence over allegations in recent months of a US proxy war against Islamist radicalism in the country.

Pentagon spokesman Navy Lt Commander Joe Carpenter reiterated the administration's position that the United States stands ready to ''disrupt the efforts of terrorists wherever they may be active.'' MORE REUTERS SRS PM2225