Gabbal Posted August 12, 2003 The United Nations (UN) plans to deploy a peacekeeping force in Somalia as soon as the proposed new Government is installed after conclusion of the on-going Somali National Reconciliation Conference here, UN Special Envoy for Somalia, Mr Winston Tubman told a press conference on August 1. Tubman, who had joined Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat at the press conference, said security would be paramount "when the current peace and reconciliation process for the politically-troubled Somali yields its intended fruits". Ambassador Kiplagat is Kenya's Special Envoy for Somalia peace process. Tubman noted: "At this juncture we shall be at hand to deploy peacekeepers as part and our contribution towards this long journey." Ambassador Kiplagat would not say how long this process was likely to take, but noted, "We have done pretty well", and added: "As per now, we are in the process of reviewing the draft document on the proposed Charter, after which we shall move to the third leg of the process, involving power-sharing." Answering a question, Ambassador Kiplagat said the reported cases of some people "pulling" out of the current peace and reconciliation process will not derail talks. He was alluding to some reports that the leader of the Transitional National Government (TNG) of Somalia, Abdiqassim Salad Hassan, had pulled out of the negotiations. In a statement issued on July 29, the TNG had raised some complaints against Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which is playing the mediation role at the peace talks. "With or without some people, the process must continue. The regional Governments of IGAD, the UN, the Arab League, the friends of IGAD as well as the Somali community in general, are committed to seeing it through, hence we do not intend to either derail, delay or stop," observed Ambassador Kiplagat. A delegate from Puntland, Awad Ashara, told AANA after the press conference, "Let everybody who cares about the political problem of our country get on board. The issue of pulling out of the process will not hold water, not at this juncture". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BN Posted August 12, 2003 Horn, Thanks for the article. I just hope that this won't be a repeat of 1993-95. Insha'Allah. Salaam. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bachelor Posted August 12, 2003 A delegate from Puntland, Awad Ashara, told AANA after the press conference, "Let everybody who cares about the political problem of our country get on board. The issue of pulling out of the process will not hold water, not at this juncture". Well-said!! By the way guys, who are this peace keepers? I mean from which country are they coming from? Arab leagu or Afircans? PLEASE dont say ETHIOPIA. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
