me, I'm trying to look at this objectively. I take your point but exploration and infrastructure are two very different things. I very sure that the infrastructure doesn't exist. Remember ALL companies have a bottom line, its called profit. What we need is a fine balance to be achieved so that we can all benefit, that should come in the form of a PSA agreement.

me, paragon et.al., I guess the infrastucture to build a credible petroleum industry in Puntland will appear at the flick of a switch?

nuume, The printing of the bank notes has been known for sometime. These documents are at least 12 months old. Viewing of the documents is a good thing, don't you think?

This is the same Eritrea where hundreds of muslims have disappeared, Koran schools have been closed, where any bearded Muslim is called a terrorist, and where Muslims in general are treated as second class citizens. What are Eritrean troops doing in Somalia's capital? Didn't the ICU say "NO to ALL foreign troops". So much for their "Tough Words". When will the irony stop. This is not a defence for Ethiopia, I think they are both just as guilty as each other. Instead wasting their resources in reconciling Somalia, it would be best if they put their resources to reconcile between each others countries. I think the ENTIRE IGAD should one massive reconciling movement.

Art, Its time for you answer the questions or leave the somali websites alone. :mad: aar0, How long do think it will be before this letter is presented?

aar0, Appears Range has been taken to the cleaners. There are too many developments going on in Somalia and I think its a good time to put aside any exploration plans until these political matters are resolved in our homeland.

Its an ex-soviet plane...Kazak, but it was Chartered to deliver the cargo. The question is who chartered the flight?

Native Title doesnt even extend to mining rights since the law holds the view that Mining was not a traditional aspect of the Aboriginal way of life. The whole process of asserting Native Title is weighed against Indigenous Australians. I think you need to re-check your info? The Term is called the "Native Title Act 1993", which is basicly the Native title law...

Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar, Every thing needs to have a beging, the question is when is the timing right? Well I'm sure we could have an endless debate on timing... One thing is for sure: Without investment there is no employment, and with no employment there is no stability. So where is the investment going to come from? As for the aboriginals...There is a law called "Native Title Claims". This resulted from the actions of a Tribal Elder by the name of Eddie Mabo. I've attached a link below if you are interested. http://www.aph.gov.au/library/intguide/SP/mabo.htm#chronology

Art What laws have they been broken? I thought freedom of speech was a fundamental basis of "Australian values". Many untruths about Somalia are told every day in your country's newspapers. Are you saying they too be taken to court?

Paragon, I think you should re-read the letter carefully. Ghedi wants to return the concessions to the previous title holders, as granted by "Said Barre"? So lets welcome America with open arms. That is what Ghedi is suggesting, right?

rudy, This report is not a direct reflection on the people of those countries. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Failed_state Failed state is a controversial term intended to mean a weak state in which the central government has little practical control over much of its territory. A state could be said to "succeed" if it maintains a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force within its borders. When this is broken (e.g., through the dominant presence of warlords, militias, or terrorism), the very existence of the state becomes dubious, and the state becomes a failed state. The difficulty of determining whether a government maintains "a monopoly on the legitimate use of force" (which includes the problems of the definition of "legitimate") means it is not clear precisely when a state can be said to have "failed". The controversy derives from the political and military implications of labelling a state as "failed". The proclamations and laws of its government may be ignored, and in some cases violent action may be undertaken inside the borders of the "failed state" by agents from other countries; such action naturally has highly dubious legality. In recent years various political commentators have labelled many countries as failed states, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, Yemen, Colombia, and the Solomon Islands. The term is also used in the sense of a state that has been rendered ineffective (i.e., has nominal military/police control over its territory only in the sense of having no armed opposition groups directly challenging state authority; in short, the "no news is good news" approach) and is not able to enforce its laws uniformly because of high crime rates, extreme Political corruption, an extensive informal market, impenetrable bureaucracy, judicial ineffectiveness, military interference in politics, cultural situations in which traditional leaders wield more power than the state over a certain area but do not compete with the state, or a number of other factors. West African countries including Cameroon, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone are often mentioned in this category, as well as Albania in Europe. The Crisis States Research Centre defines a “failed state†as a condition of “state collapse†– e.g. a state that can no longer perform its basic security, and development functions and that has no effective control over its territory and borders. A failed state is one that can no longer reproduce the conditions for its own existence. This term is used in very contradictory ways in the policy community (for instance, there is a tendency to label a “poorly performing†state as “failed†– a tendency the Crisis States Research Centre rejects). The opposite of a “failed state†is an “enduring state†and the absolute dividing line between these two conditions is difficult to ascertain at the margins. Even in a failed state, some elements of the state, such as local state organisations, might continue to exist. The US magazine Foreign Policy runs an yearly index called the 'Failed States Index' where it tries to rank nations based on 12 determining factors like mounting: 1) demographic pressures; 2) massive movement of refugees and internally displaced peoples; 3) legacy of vengeance-seeking group grievance; 4) chronic and sustained human flight; 5) uneven economic development along group lines; 6) sharp and/or severe economic decline; 7) criminalisation and delegitimisation of the state; 8) progressive deterioration of public services; 9) widespread violation of human rights; 10)security apparatus as ‘state within a state’; 11)rise of factionalised elites; 12)intervention of other states or external actors. [1]

Duco, Mark Twain once said: “One mustn't criticize other people on grounds where he can't stand perpendicular himself†We have tackled this issue many times on many different threads, yet I have not heard an alternative solution?

I truly believe that Puntland/Somalia will be the envy of Africa in a few years time. What I'm trying to say is that I don't think for one moment Somalis will sit around and be helplessly taken for granted. After 15 year of war one thing is for sure Somalian character is alive and strong.

Northerner, There are plenty of our brothers dying from a lack of anything. Do you find that acceptable?

Maakhir, What do you want Somalia to be? Do you think us Somalis have right to Prosperity? If Allah has truely blessed us with resources maybe his devine plan was to makes us suffer before savouring the fruits of our Blessed land. I for one think we should allow them a chance to open Somalia to the World.

Codetalker, Have you not read the article? Povey toured the area in dispute - about 40 kilometres from Bosasso - as part of his visit to Puntland last week. He says there are no villages or local inhabitants in the area - simply a mining camp that Bulgarians abandoned about 30 years ago. "It's a hilly, deserted region," he says.

The following is most encourageing: The dean of Puntland State University, Abdi Samad Ibrahim Jama, agrees there were some skirmishes between clan and militia forces but adds "the problem is calm now after finalising a proper solution with the local people by the Puntland authorities".

The sports minister? you make me laugh...What are they going to do? send their Football team? Sounds like he is jealous that Range haven't spoken with him.

Paragon, However we look at this problem, I do agree that a greater social collaboration must be undertaken by both the government and the local people. Such actions should involve the adoption PSA agreements between the Local people /Government (Somalia & Puntland) / and the companies involved in the exploitation of the resources. The sharing of these resources should predominantly be utilised to increase social prosperity for the people of Somalia/puntland to allow us to retain and strengthen our language and culture, without compromising our way of life. From what I can see, Range Resources is NOT a mining company, but an exploration company, there is a difference. Usually a small exploration company comes in and undertakes all the work to prove up a resource. Hence during this stage of development they won't make a single dollar, instead they'll spend millions (takes about 2-3 years). Once the resources are proved a feasibility study will take place (usually takes 1-2 years). As soon as this is completed they'll either make a decision to mine, sell, or simple think its non-economic and hence nothing will happen. The lag time for this project could be 3-5 years even before a dollar is made. This allows plenty of time to debate the issue, but the problem at hand is the lag time. The longer the exploration is delayed the longer it will take to commence mining. So what do we do? Sit on our hands and wait for the rains to come? I think its time do away with the rattle can, and make Somalia great, by allowing us to move to the next stage of self-determination.

Paragon, I am enjoying this discussion. I'm not making any moral statements about Range/Consort/Puntland, I'm simply stating the facts. By posting PM Gedi's letter dated the 6/10/05, is a bit hyprocritical wouldn't you say? When I provided you a link to PM Gedi's letter dated the 02/11/05 you gave me this reply: BoiBoi, these are not varified facts, mate. You have shown me a letter alleged to be from Geedi, whose e-mail address is Premiersom@wanainchi.com and whose formal address is Sarit Centre [big Grin] . What a combination. The letter's authenticity is not beyond doubt and the link you have provided is to Range Resources' website, thus one-sided. So what are you trying to say? Note the email address on both letters? Why, they are the same. Once again Facts is what we need not opinions! Oh...I've provided a link to Somlitalk.com, didn't want to be one sided. http://www.somaliatalk.com/terry/warq11205.pdf

Paragon, Range Resources is Subject ASX listing rules, and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission. http://www.asic.gov.au The Facts are that the TFG can issue mining contracts, and in this case it has allowed Puntland to utilise its Autonomy and control its own destiny, but only as long as Puntland agrees to bankroll the Somali Government. Hmmm...more Facts Somalia: Puntland Sate agrees to bankroll national government Tue. January 03, 2006 01:02 pm. (SomaliNet) After many months of back and forth negotiations, Puntland regional administration and the federal government of Somalia reached a settlement in which Puntland agreed to allocate long-term financial support for the interim government. In return, the federal government will not object Puntland's quest for oil and gas explorations which involve foreign companies. Puntland has been one the federal government's key financial pillars since its inception last 2004 in Nairobi, Kenya. Many insiders believe President Abdulahi Yusuf beat his many opponents when he was running for the office because of unsurpassed donations from Puntland administration. Mr. Yusuf ruled Puntland before he was elected as Somalia president in October 2004. According senior federal government official involved in the negotiations, Mr. Ali Ismail Abdi-Giir, Puntland's financial backing of the federal government is now official and most important points of the agreement are in public domain. Mr. Giir, who talked to SomaliNet's Mohamed Siidi at Jowhar airport, said the federal government and Puntland signed a deal that benefits both sides of the table. The final agreement was signed on December 23rd, 2005. http://somalinet.com/news/world/English/1521

Paragon, You make valid points. All I'm saying is note the Facts... http://www.rangeresources.com.au/asx/primeMinistersLetter.pdf "The Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia has written to the Puntland Government acknowledging the Contract of Work and expressly supporting the Puntland Government’s “efforts towards enhancing the national economy by materailizing the exploration, exploitation and marketing of the country’s sub soil resources in close collaboration with its partners Consort Private Limited and Range Resources Limitedâ€." http://www.rangeresources.com.au/asx/puntland%20brochure%20version4%20minerals-1.pdf

Maakhir, Your attitude is the reason why somalia is still in anarchy. But alas this time your are incorrect and full of deceptive information. The FACTS are: 1. Threat of war is baseless and invalid, and frankly its the most ill thought comment I've read on this board. Do you desire WAR on our somali brothers to continue? 2. I checked Range Resources website and they have current financial statements, Well it appears from reading their half yearly accounts as 31.12.05 Range Resources is DEBT FREE. For 15 years Somali's and Puntlanders have tried to attrack foreign investment, finally there is a company which is willing to invest in OUR country. What do we? We rubbish them? Remember its the Puntland Government that signed the deal with Consort, not Range Resources. Range simply signed with Consort, and consequently with the Puntland Government. Its time for action/support not procrastination!

Simple errors / Intentional neglect? When the TFG refused the contract, the Australians floated shares on the Stock Exchange, with false and misleading information. >>> Rage has been listed on the ASX since 1986. And... The Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia has written to the Puntland Government acknowledging the Contract of Work and expressly supporting the Puntland Government’s “efforts towards enhancing the national economy by materailizing the exploration, exploitation and marketing of the country’s sub soil resources in close collaboration with its partners Consort Private Limited and Range Resources Limitedâ€. ‘Range’ has been busy trying to build a respectable image, but if you read all information on their website, regularly, you will see a vague sum of 5-10% is all the people of Puntland are supposed to receive for their whole territory? This is so unusual it would be a joke if it were not tragic. >>> Anyone that understands the mining industry knows that a Royal of 5-10% is the norm, ALL OVER THE WORLD. The figure is Royal / Not a PSA. They also announced the following: Yemen and Somalia have many historical ties and from what I have seen so far, this has all the hallmarks of Yemen in the early 1980’s. Range and Consort have requested assistance in drafting the Petroleum Legislation and the Production Sharing Agreement Models to be used in Puntland. Our discussions with the President have indicated that the model that was successfully used in Yemen will form the basis for the new Puntland model and I am very pleased to be part of this process.â€