GAROWE, Somalia Feb 18 (Garowe Online) - A massive delegation composed of various components of the international community arrived in Somalia's self-governing State of Puntland Wednesday, beginning a two-day conference with the theme of "Re-engaging the International Community," Radio Garowe reports.
The 20-member foreign delegation included representatives from United Nations agencies, the World Bank, the European Commission, Islamic Relief, Mercy Corps, Care International, and the French Embassy, as well as international NGOs such as DRC and NRC.
Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed "Farole," the president of Puntland, was present at the meeting along with the Vice President, Gen. Abdisamad Ali Shire, and most members of the Puntland Cabinet.
After opening remarks, President Farole offered a presentation that included a comprehensive look at the new administration's policy in matters ranging from security to social services.
A vision statement at the beginning of the presentation offered a general view of President Farole's plans to tackle insecurity, advance public finance management, reform the civil service and promote good relations with the world community, especially with the region's neighbors.
Puntland's new leader spoke at length about "urgent priorities," including fighting piracy and human smuggling, improving public services in the fields of education, healthcare and sanitation, improving public finance management and advancing the ongoing democratization process.
He made special note about the "illegal unregulated and unreported fishing" activities along Somalia's coast, which has contributed to a spike in piracy as Somali fishermen took up arms to defend their livelihoods.
"The international community's military effort to combat piracy cannot stop the problem...what is needed is more cooperation between Puntland and the international community," the Puntland president said.
President Farole strongly suggested that the world must first address the "root causes of piracy," including illegal overfishing and toxic waste dumping, while noting that Puntland has 70 alleged pirates currently in custody and plans to establish an "anti-piracy center" in the region.
'Neglected'
Mark Bowden, the UN Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, spoke on behalf of the visiting delegation by first congratulating Puntland's new government on a peaceful and orderly election.
He welcomed President Farole's presentation, calling it a "compelling statement" on the new administration's vision for a better and more secure Puntland.
Mr. Bowden specially welcomed the Puntland leader's comments regarding the democratization process, while highlighting President Farole's appointment of a state minister to oversee the democratization process.
"Puntland has been neglected by the international community," Mr. Bowden admitted. He later told Garowe Online after the conference that aid operations in Puntland decreased due to acts of insecurity in recent months, including kidnappings of international aid staff.
He said the new government in Puntland has already taken "confidence-building measures," such as outlawing guns in major towns, banning tinted windows on cars and fighting against impunity by holding criminals accountable to the justice system.
'Anti-terror'
A question and answer session was opened following President Farole's presentation and UN Humanitarian Coordinator Bowden's response.
A comment posed by the UN's chief security adviser in Somalia, Mr. Jean Lausberg, suggested that the government of Puntland institute a "counter-terrorism law," which would specifically deal with tackling acts of terror in the region through a legal framework.
The suggestion cited the Oct. 29, 2008, suicide bombings in Bossaso, which targeted the offices of the Puntland Intelligence Service (PIS) and UN offices in Hargeisa, capital of the separatist republic of Somaliland.
President Farole clearly stated that the Puntland government will not institute a special law to combat counter-terrorism, saying: "Counter-terrorism has negative connotation in this part of the world as it reminds people of Guantanamo Bay [prison]. But it is our promise to combat all forms of insecurity and all crimes in one way."
Puntland's leader said the administration is raising awareness about improving security, while citing sermons he gave during Friday prayers at mosques in the port city of Bossaso and Garowe, the capital of Puntland, to inform the public about Islamic principles of peace and lawful governance.
Discussions are scheduled to continue on Thursday, where major topics including public finance management, economic development, improving social services and strengthening the democratization process, government officials said.
The visiting delegation is reported to be the largest delegation to visit Puntland since the regional authority was established in 1998.
Source: Garowe Online
Garowe: UN & Puntland talks end successfully : PICS
Garowe, Feb 19 - Madaxda Puntland, hay'adaha Qaramada Midoobay & kuwa samafalka ah ee maxalliga ah oo shir ka yeeshay wadashaqayn dhex marta.
Ujeedada shirka ayaa ahayd in lagu gorfeeyo amniga shaqaalaha iyo saraakiisha hay'adaha hawlaha samafalka ah ka hirgeliya gobollada Puntland oo la isla gartay in uu gaaray darajadii ugu liidatay in muddo ah.
Afduubka ayaa ahaa fal dambiyeedka 1-aad ee laga hadlay, lana sheegay in uu ahaa sababta 1-aad ee shaqaalaha iyo saraakiisha hay'aduhu in ay u xadideen safarada iyo hawlaha ay ka wadaan gobollada Puntland.
Amniga guud ee Puntland ayaa 2-dii sano ee la soo dhaafay aad u liitay, ayna ka dilaaceen falal dambiyeedyo isugu dhafan afduub iyo burcad badeed ka dilaacday xeebaha Somaliya.
Waa shirkii ugu horeeyey ee ay yeeshaan hay'adaha ka hawlgala gobollada Puntland iyo hoggaanka cusub ee Puntland.
Hogaanka cusub ee Puntland ayaa ballan qaaday in ahmiyada 1-aad uu siin doono adkaynta amniga, xalna laga gaari doono asbaabta keentay in amniga uu dhaawac soo gaaro.
M/weynaha, ku xigeenka iyo xubno ka tirsan xukuumada Puntland, iyo saraakiil ka socota hay'adaha ka hawlgala Puntland ayaa shirka goob joog ka ahaa.
Diiwaanka Wararka,
Idaacada Daljir.
