     JAT | Saturday, September 30, 2000 - 03:41 am
BBC Monitoring Service - United Kingdom ; 29-Sep-2000 12:00:00 am ; 356 words
Text of report by Kenyan radio on 29th September
President Daniel arap Moi said today the opinion of all Somali leaders both within and outside the country should be honoured and incorporated so that a general consensus is found. He said this was the only way to restore peace in that country, which has been without a central government since 1991. President Moi was holding talks, at his Harambee House office with Husayn Muhammad Aydid, who leads the Somali National Alliance [SNA].
The Kenyan head of state said although a transitional government for Somalia had been agreed in Djibouti, it would be prudent to include the Mogadishu leaders if it was to be peacefully functional. Kenya feels strongly that an agreement of all parties should be concluded speedily, he said. He added that this was the only way to ensure a smooth democratic process and economic development.
President Moi emphasized that as a neighbour, Kenya would support the new peace initiative in that country. He expressed hope that AFTER PEACE AND CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER ARE RESTORED, Somalia would join the East African Community and the Commonwealth.
President Moi noted that the civil war in that country was too costly in terms of human life, infrastructure and national image. He advised the Somali leaders to consider first and foremost the lofty ideals of their people. The president said peace, security and the hopes of an entire nation should never be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency and selfish interests. This is why a general consensus of all leaders should be paramount , he emphasized.
He said Somalia ought to be peaceful in order to be part and parcel of the ongoing development plan of this region.
Mr Aydid, a former soldier in the USA, based in California, was in Nairobi to seek views of President Moi. He said President Moi's views were vital as he was highly regarded for his peace initiatives in the region.
Mr Aydid took over the leadership of the SNA after the death of his father, Gen Muhammad Farah Aydid.
For the last ten years, Somalia has been torn apart by a bloody civil war resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. The country is ravaged by famine and insecurity. Besides lack of a functional government, the country has no diplomatic representation. |
