Somali economists, Mohamad Dheere, Qeybdiid, Hiraale etc.....are not looters and warlords? Or have they become sudden nationalistic democrats?

Quote:Yes we know the ethios are doing alot of the military offensives but their are being backed with foot-soldiers from the TFG.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has said he has indications that a group operating out of Somalia may have been behind last month's attacks on Israelis in Kenya. People are beginning to recognize that al-Ittihad is indeed a threat linked to al-Qaeda Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi Mr Meles told the BBC that the Somali group with links to al-Qaeda - known as al-Ittihad - may have travelled to Kenya by boat to carry out their operation. He offered no evidence to substantiate these views. But with senior US officials due in Addis Ababa next week, Mr Meles will have every opportunity to convince them that the group had a hand in the attacks. The prime minister was speaking after his return to Addis Ababa from the United States, where he said he had discussed security matters with President George W Bush. Growing threat The attacks on Israelis in the Kenyan port of Mombasa have reinforced Ethiopia's long-held belief that Somalia is a source of instability throughout the region. There are thousands of Somalis in Kenya Ethiopia has frequently warned about the dangers posed by the obscure al-Ittihad group. The group is seen not only as a threat to Ethiopian security, but - because of its links to al-Qaeda - as a cause of international concern. Before the Kenyan attacks these warnings tended to be treated with some scepticism in the West. Now, says Mr Meles, they are receiving greater attention: "People are beginning to recognise that al-Ittihad is indeed a threat linked to al-Qaeda." "Our indications seem to suggest that the terrorists may have started from Rascomboni in Somalia and gone to Mombasa using boats that were launched from Rascomboni."

If only capturing towns and cities and towns with American weapons was a measure of defeat and victory. BTW, you didn't see the face of the resistance on the international media, they didn't seem to be hiding?

The Great Game in Somalia The recent upsurge in fighting between the various factions in Somalia is a typical example of wars being fought throughout the African continent where the real benefactor is neither the people nor local governments, but major powers. By Abid Mustafa -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Somalia is another country that has been caught up in a vicious struggle between great powers competing against each other to control the Horn of Africa. The reason for this interference in Somalia’s internal affairs is simple. Somalia is replete with abundance of natural resources. Uranium deposits, oil and natural gas can be found in Somalia. Oil seeps were discovered in the colonial era by both British and Italian geologists. Later, French and American oil companies competed with British and Italian oil companies for concession rights to the exploration of oil. In the years to follow Somalia became a battle ground between Europe and America for the right to control Somalia’s oil wealth. Europe led by Britain fought America through supporting local militias and surrogate countries like Kenya, Uganda and Djibouti, while America supported her militiamen through countries like Ethiopia and Sudan. The power struggle between Europe and America contributed to decades of civil war, secessionist movements and break away states. In the late 80s, under the leadership of Somalia's pro-U.S. President Mohamed Siad Barre nearly two-thirds of Somalia was allocated to the American oil giants Conoco, Amoco, Chevron and Phillips. Siad Barre was inconveniently deposed just as Conoco reportedly hit black gold with nine exploratory wells, confirmed by World Bank geologists at the time. During the coup, US envoy to Somalia, Robert Oakley took refuge at Conco headquarters. The removal of Baree prompted Bush senior to dispatch 20,000 US troops in 1992 to restore US rule and thereby secure valuable oil concessions granted to US oil companies. The military intervention was touted as a humanitarian intervention designed to save the starving Somalian souls from famine. The military action resulted in defeat for the US as she was unable to accomplish her mission and pulled out. Nonetheless, America made sure that her retreat would not encourage the Europeans to exert control, and a bitter struggle ensued between these powers via their agents in Somalia and the neighbouring countries. These powers did not allow any stable government to form and encouraged a number of secessionist states such as Puntland, Somaliland and Jubaland to cede from Somalia or at least demand greater autonomy. Despite the civil war, foreign countries were able to oil sign treaties with the transitional Somalia government. Oil companies from France, the UK, the UAE, and China attained exploration rights granted by the Transitional National Government, the Somaliland government, and the Puntland government respectively. TotalFinaElf, which has been operating in the port of Berbera throughout the civil war, signed an exploration deal with the TNG in early 2001 off the Somali coast during which the government would provide security for TotalFinalElf employees. Rovagold of the UK, Dubai-based Zarara, and two Chinese firms signed exploration deals with the Somaliland government. Chinese firms are reportedly conducting exploration activities in Puntland. It was not until the events of September 11 that America began take a renewed interest in Somalia. This time America used the pretext of fighting terrorism to pursue her oil interests in the country. Somalia, like other energy rich countries features heavily as part of America’s grand plan to control the energy reserves of the world for the next fifty years. However, due to her awful occupation of Iraq, America was unable to give due attention to Somalia until now. But this time America is supporting both the warlords and the Islamists to manufacture a pretext to invade the country. A top US diplomat in Africa, Jendayi Frazer, acknowledged that the White House would work with those who can help "prevent Somalia becoming a safe haven for terrorists". The statement was in reference to assisting the warlords against the Islamists. America has been equipping the warlords with weapons. These are the very same warlords who have been accommodated in Yusuf’s government as part of a power sharing agreement. These warlords include those who hold the portfolios of security, trade, religion, disarmament and reconstruction. Furthermore the US has also subverted any attempt to interrupt the supply of weapons to both sides. A United Nations report called for a tighter arms embargo on Somalia but this was rejected by the Security Council. The report stated that an unnamed country had been flouting the weapons ban to help local groups fight the Islamic militants. It said that Ethiopia was supplying weapons to Mr Yusuf's interim government, while Eritrea was arming the Islamists The American plan is to fragment the country into regions and then encourage the energy laden areas to cede and fall in line with US interests. This bears strong resemblance to America’s plan to divide Sudan. The chances of US success depend upon how she is able to counter threats from other powers. In Sudan countries like France, Britain, China and Russia have made it complicated for America to realise her goal and in Somalia this too may prove to be difficult. Abid Mustafa is a political commentator who specialises in Muslim affairs http://www.hiiraan.com/op/2006/jun/Abid-Mustafa040606.aspx

IGAD is run by Jenday Frazer and we know what side of the fence she is on.

Liibaax, the occupation hasn't achieved susbtantial to report back to the c.i.a boys. This is the third time they have been fought to a standstill by a simple resistance. Their tanks and army can occupy as many strategic places as they want, but the Muqawama will continue to grow and grow.Especially after the people have seen with their own eyes the true nature of the Tigray Junta. Remember that we have been told may times that the resistance has been utterly defeated and "cleaned up"............

The Prophet saw made peace with the Quraish when he utterly defeated them. There is not on instance oh im ever, comprominsing his fellow muslims, his deen or the Islamic system of governance or the borders of a Muslim land. The least one can do is protest at the policy of Somaliland when it comes it's relationship of "combating terrorism with Ethiopia. But people seem silent because most of the detaineeds belong to another rival clan. Note brother, i don't any issues with the people of Somaliland.I will criticise their adminstration just as i will criticise their leaders and policies of Puntland,T.F.G etc.............

I don't think Castro is from Muqdisho. I have never even been to Muqdisho in my life...But they are still my people and feel and sympathise with their pain.....Ethiopia came to Muqdisho to get their hands on the same people that your adminstration hands over so easily. If they had done the same and decided to surrender or make "peace" with Ethiopia on their own brothers blood, than they would have peace like Hargeysa. But they have decided that they will never hand over their brothers and surrender to Ethiopia. Thus they are being punished for this.

The Americans want Ethiopia to "finsh the job" They don't have much faith in their Somali counterparts.

People will talk about Somaliland Adminstration when and where thy like. If you want have us believe that Somaliland is some kind of America, were one can follow the Somaliland dream, that is all good. But don't moan at the slightest criticism of Somaliland. The meer fact that Somaliland has "peace" does not mean it is free from criticism. You, yourself acknowledge that Somaliland and Ethiopia combat terrorism together. We know there are instances were innoncent people have been handed over or detained to Ethiopia. So in reality, there is not a great deal of difference between Riyaale Kahin and Abdullahi Yusuf. Infact, both of them were summoned to Adiss Ababa just before the invasion of Somalia. So it is bit of a contradiction to see some Somaliland politicians demonising Abdullahi Yusuf but saying Ethiopia is our great ally and friend.

Waxaa ma Xabshida ku dhigtay mise economics baad ku baratay?

Civilians aren't being targeted just Radio Stations and the likes.........

What is your stance on this?

You will see and i will see........bye......

One the flip side, Shariif and co never invited any "Christians" to kill fellow Muslims in Somalia.On the flip side, Shariff and co never said Somali nomads should be bombarded b Americna gunships. They don't have a history of bringing Ethiopian army to Somalia, everytime one engages in a military confrontation.......

I can't believe people are still preoccupied with the Dahar issue!

The T.F.G is dependant on the force of the occupying forces. Trying to hide this reality by using words such as, " Anti T.F.G" will not hide anything. People who where part and parcel of the T.F.G including parliamentarians oppose the T.F.G bringing foreign forces to Somalia.

Why are you regurgitating simpleton for everyone?" It is a legitimate government, " It was chosen by all Somalia clans". The issue is that an illegal entity from Ethiopia is occupying Somalia and there groups who are resisting them. How or where the T.F.G was formed is really irrelevant. One should ask where is the Somali president today?

Saxiib, nobody will be dealt with. This is an illusion that some people have. They think that Ethiopian tanks will bring them paradise on earth. I assure the ranks of the Somali resistance will swell after this and furthermore there are and will be hundreds and thousands of Somalis who will join them. Just how many people will the Ethiopian army kill?

I wonder what new words the Ethiopian mouthpieces on the forum will come up with to support the actions of her army? Maybe it will be, "habashdiid,Ethiopiandiid, what next?

The T.F.G advances you mean, Ethiopian army advances?They can capture as many stadiums, towns and cities as they like. But the Somali people will never surrender to the Ethiopia. The T.F.G is akin to the communist government of Afghanistan during the Soviet war. Perhaphs even similar to the Karzais, Malikis and Musharafs of today, who are willing to sell their own people, land and resources for their own personal and tribal gains.

Quote: The Somali president was in Addis Ababa yesterday for talks with Zenawi and US advisers will have been hovering close, urging the two men on. America it seems, not only wants to fight its war on terror to the last Iraqi but to the last Somali as well.

No medieval idea saxib, Meles Zenawi said the Biggest mistake he ever made was letting Eritrea out of Ethiopian hands. Anyway this medieval tribal regime in Ethiopia is doomed, sooner or later..........

No, i was watching the scenes in Muqdisho, you know, the "clean up" operation against Osama Bin Laden, remember?