U.S senate asks Somali president pursue reconciliation

[Highland]

U.S senate asks Somali president pursue reconciliation
WASHINGTON (AP)--A U.S. senator whose state is host to one of the largest groups of Somalis in the U.S. is urging the president of Somalia to pursue reconciliation as a way to save the violence-ravaged nation.

Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, a Minnesota Republican, met for about 40 minutes Tuesday with Somali President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed. He said he urged Ahmed to reach out to "all stakeholders not associated with terrorism," while Ahmed emphasized the need for enhanced security.

The president said he took my words very seriously, and would maintain his commitment to reconciliation," Coleman said.



Somalia's ambassador to the United Nations, Elmi Ahmed Duale, said that Ahmed stressed reconciliation, the need for a partial lifting of the arms embargo so that the government could defend itself better, assistance to help patrol the coast, and the need for humanitarian aid to help Somalis coping with drought.



The transitional government in Somalia, formed in 2004 with U.N. help, has struggled to assert control. Somalia has been afflicted by violence and anarchy for more than a decade.



Coleman said that Ahmed stressed the need for increased security, including beefed up coastline security and a United Nations peacekeeping force.



"What the U.N. needs to see is a peace to keep," Coleman said, adding that Somalia is on a path to reconciliation. "That's the good news," he said. "Clearly for the future of Somalia, the U.N. needs to be involved."



Duale, who attended the meeting, said: "The Somali government could have solved lots of its problems peacefully if it had its own security forces. This could not happen because there is an arms embargo."



Coleman represents Minnesota, a northern state where more than 10,000 Somalis have settled, among the largest group in the country.



Last month, the Bush administration granted Somalis living in the U.S. under temporary protected status an extra 18 months in this country as the U.S. government concluded that conditions in Somalia remain "dire."







April 22, 2008







SOURCE: AP

[MJ-Pride]

Norman is Majerten He has two Mj's working in his office, plus when he was running for Senate, he got the majority of Somali votes He's running for senator again and I am backing him 100%

Coleman 08

[*jr]

Norm Coleman was expected to roll out the Red Carpet for the visit of the Hon. Pres. Abdulahi Yusuf....inturn we will make sure Sen. Coleman recieves our support.

[Gen.Aideed]

Mj-pride, which Darood sub-clan dominates the administrative posts in MN for the state?

[KlashneFolk]

Mj-pride, which Darood sub-clan dominates the administrative posts in MN for the state?

In my the Twin Cities I think OGs. In Rochester, I think Mudulood.

[xidigow]

Norman is Majerten He has two Mj's working in his office, plus when he was running for Senate, he got the majority of Somali votes He's running for senator again and I am backing him 100%

Coleman 08

Cidaani ma xishooto, mar dhowna sidii la idinku yaqaanany waxaad soo wadaan Coleman love cid ah buu haystaa