State Dep: Somaliland visit cordial and constructive

[Salah Al-Din]

Somaliland president meets with senior US officials 20 Jan 2008 21:04:07 GMT
Source: Reuters


WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - A high-level delegation from Somaliland, a breakaway Somali republic, has met with senior U.S. officials to "further common interests" in regional peace, security, economic development and democratic reform, the U.S. State Department said on Sunday.

During an eight-day visit in Washington, the delegation led by Somaliland President Dahir Kahin Rayale met with State Department, Agency for International Development, Defense Department and National Security Council officials, among others, the State Department said.

Somaliland, in the northwestern corner bordering Ethiopia, broke away from the rest of Somalia in 1991 and argues it should be given sovereignty since it has held democratic elections and achieved stability that has eluded most of the country.

The State Department characterized the visit as "cordial and constructive."

The United States does not recognize Somaliland and a State Department spokesman said on Thursday the visit did not signal a change in position. "We are not on the verge of recognizing Somaliland," he said.

The delegation left on Saturday, the State Department said.

(Reporting by Rachelle Younglai; Editing by Eric Beech
Somaliland president meets with senior US officials 20 Jan 2008 21:04:07 GMT
Source: Reuters


WASHINGTON, Jan 20 (Reuters) - A high-level delegation from Somaliland, a breakaway Somali republic, has met with senior U.S. officials to "further common interests" in regional peace, security, economic development and democratic reform, the U.S. State Department said on Sunday.

During an eight-day visit in Washington, the delegation led by Somaliland President Dahir Kahin Rayale met with State Department, Agency for International Development, Defense Department and National Security Council officials, among others, the State Department said.

Somaliland, in the northwestern corner bordering Ethiopia, broke away from the rest of Somalia in 1991 and argues it should be given sovereignty since it has held democratic elections and achieved stability that has eluded most of the country.

The State Department characterized the visit as "cordial and constructive."

The United States does not recognize Somaliland and a State Department spokesman said on Thursday the visit did not signal a change in position. "We are not on the verge of recognizing Somaliland," he said.

The delegation left on Saturday, the State Department said.

(Reporting by Rachelle Younglai; Editing by Eric Beech

[Salah Al-Din]

During his visit to the UK, the Leader of the Somaliland Authorities, His Excellency Dahir Rayale Kahin had talks with the Minister for Africa, Lord Malloch-Brown on the 8th January [2008]. They discussed the situation in Somalia and areas of mutual cooperation between the UK government and the Somaliland Authorities. He was accompanied by the Somaliland Foreign Minister, Abdillahi Mohamed Duale, and other Ministers. Mr Rayale also met officials of the Border and Immigration Agency of the Home Office and the All Party Parliamentary Group for Somaliland during his visit.


The Prime Minister welcomed the visitors during Prime Ministers Question Time in Parliament on 9th January [2008].


The government and Somaliland Authorities stressed their commitment to promoting peace, stability and democratic governance in the Horn of Africa, so that the humanitarian and developmental needs of the region's people can be addressed. The two sides agreed to stay in close contact and to continue their cooperation in order to advance these commitments and help build on the progress made in Somaliland in recent years.

Source
Foreign & Commonwealth Office

[B-MAX]

18Years and counting. No Recognition?
The future doesn't look good.