The U.S. government is resuming broadcasts today of Somali-language programs in the Horn of Africa for the first time in 13 years. One Somali website criticized the broadcasts as a tool for the U.S. to disseminate propaganda and a “means of promoting U.S. foreign policy based on pure colonialism.” The Voice of America programs are beginning as the U.S. military expands its presence in Africa. The United States recently backed Ethiopia’s invasion of Somalia, and U.S. fighter planes have bombed Somalia at least twice since January. Last week President Bush announced the Pentagon would create a new African command to coordinate U.S. military operations throughout the continent.