Source:http://www.garoweonline.com/artman2/pub ... ents.shtml
Somalia: Somaliland minister downplays U.S. Congressman's comments
6 Jul 6, 2009 - 5:21:00 PM
HARGEISA, Somalia July 6 (Garowe Online) - The foreign affairs minister in Somalia's breakaway republic of Somaliland has downplayed critical comments attributed to U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, Radio Garowe reports.
Mr. Abdullahi Mohamed Du'ale, Somaliland's foreign minister, answered lawmakers' questions Monday in Hargeisa, the regional capital.
U.S. Congressman Donald Payne with Puntland President Abdirahman Farole in Washington, D.C.
Somaliland lawmakers grilled Mr. Du'ale as to why the Somaliland administration refused to participate at a Congressional hearing in Washington, D.C., on Somalia.
Invitees to Washington included representatives from the transitional government in Mogadishu, Puntland officials from Garowe and Somaliland officials from Hargeisa.
Congressman Payne, who chaired the hearing attended by Puntland President Abdirahman Farole on June 25, publicly criticized Somaliland for demanding a "separate panel" to promote the region's breakaway agenda.
"If Somalilanders cannot sit with fellow Somalis to explore ways to bring peace to Somalia at this critical juncture, I wonder what this says about their commitment to Somalis," Congressman Payne said in opening remarks at the historic hearing in Washington.
Congressman Payne, who chaired the meeting, promoted the hearing as a discussion forum among Somalis to debate "common issues," such as humanitarian aid, terrorism and piracy. Discussion of political agendas including Somaliland's breakaway status was not part of the hearing.
But Somaliland Foreign Minister Du'ale downplayed the U.S. Congressman's comments, telling lawmakers in Hargeisa that Somaliland was pushing ahead to become internationally recognized as an independent country.
Somaliland is located in northwestern Somalia and unilaterally declared independence in 1991 but has not been recognized internationally.
The relatively peaceful separatist region is ruled by President Dahir Riyale, who was elected in 2003 but has delayed presidential elections and extended his term in violation of the region's constitution.
Source: Garowe Online
Lol this is hilarious, the somaliland minister down-plays washington importance like washington don't matter. It is American congress who selected congress man donald payne to represent the government on the hearing of somalia. Congress-Man Payne verdict will be taken as the policy of America because he was chosen to represent america on hearing somalia and the verdict will b e the policy america will follow now.
Its funny how sland minister says recognition is coming soon. I can post an article to u where egal said recognition is coming soon in 1995. Lol its over for sland and i congratulate the law makers in somaliland grilling the minister for his disaster, at least someone in sland has brains lol.
Sland recognition will never come now and the united nations has cut any ties with sland as response to their refusal to join verify here http://www.riinji.com/full.php?id=5034. And that Report comes from Foreign Minister of Somalia An Isaaq dude. African union and Arab league are also tabling sanctions on sland lol. Farole did an excellent job god bless him and his smart moves. Today America policy will be federal somalia and support for puntland.
That is the most powerful nation in the world. No matter if some guy called peter who? peter tachtell who is member of the greens party of the u.k endorses somaliland, his party has never ever been elected to be the government of the uk and their foreign policy doesn't matter because they will never ever be in power because greens party have 0.5% of the national votes in election, they only own 5 seats. Conservatives and Labor run the show in the uk parliament and not 1 of them will ever endorse sland.
Sorry to burst the bubble, keep running after no namers who can't help u whilst we run after the power houses and get congress support thru our successful meeting. Now some slanders have criticised the meeting held saying "look at the ppl sitting there" even if 1 person was sitting there doesn't change the fact that this house committee will give its verdict to congress and this will be the new foreign policy of america. If 1 person was present or 1 million ppl were present doesnt matter all that matters is the law of america today will be never to recognize sland and to promote puntland and federal somalia dream. That will be the foreign policy forever and ever.
I am happy my leader has done an excellent job and played his cards well. We destroyed sland dream, and promoted our dream and made america support us. The bill is being passed in congress as we speak.
