Peace Rally in Kismayo. July 20, 2003. HornAfrik, Mogadishu, Somalia. Hundred of people have taken par on Sunday, in a big rally in Kismayo town, lower Jubba region, to support a prominent Somali poet, Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame Hadrawi who is currently in the town as part of his peace march across the country. The spokesman of the Jubba Valley Alliance which controls the town, Abdirahman Ahmed Haji, said that they have fully accepted Mr. Hadrawi’s messages. Addressing the rally, Mr. Hadrawi, has expressed his gratitude to the people of Kismayo describing the aim of his tour as an attempt to raise the brotherhood within Somali community. During the rally, musicians have played music and poets recited some traditional poems. Congratulations were also sent to Mr. Hadrawi and his delegations by the people of Kismayo.

http://www.hornafrik.com/Xaf-hadraawi.htm

Somali poet marches for peace-BBC Report Somali artists have been accused of inciting civil unrest Somali artists have been marching for peace as faction and government leaders at talks in Kenya fail to agree the formation of a transitional government and a national assembly. The Hadraawi Peace March, after Somali poet Muhammad Ibrahim Warsame Hadraawi, on Saturday reached the southern port town of Kismaio after covering the 500km from the capital, Mogadishu, in less than a week. The BBC's Hassan Barisse in Somali says that in Kismaio, Mr Hadraawi, the most popular living Somali poet, told the rally not to despair as the "solution to the problems of Somalia will be found one day". Accompanied by his fellow poets, writers and musicians, Mr Hadraawi said that the march is part of his new initiative to persuade the Somalis to forgive each other and live in together peace in their homeland. Accused Our reporter says that Somali artists have always been accused of inciting the civil unrest in country with their songs and poems. I felt I lost my way and I decided to return back home where I am one of the most respected people Muhammad Ibrahim Warsame Hadraawi Mr Hadraawi, in his late fifties, was born in Burau in the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland and graduated in literature and education at the Somali University in Mogadishu in the early 1970s. A former teacher of literature, Mr Hadraawi started writing poems to protest against the dictatorial regime of Siad Barre in 1970s. He was jailed for 10 years and when he was released he fled the country to Djibouti, Ethiopia and the UK where he continued to write patriotic songs and poems. 'Down to Earth' The BBC's African Services regional editor, Yusuf Garaad Omar, describes him as a "very down to earth person who would talk to ordinary Somalis in the street without revealing his identity." "He restores hope in the society and lifts the morale of people in the country which has suffered many years of civil war," says Mr Omar. Mr Hadraawi, who has lived in the UK for the past five years, has explained to his fellow countrymen about how he felt humiliated in the streets of London, "as thousands of the British people in their cars passed him by without any of them recognising or offering him a lift". "I felt I lost my way and I decided to return back home where I am one of the most respected people," he said. "But, before going home, I took with me something for the Somalis". "It is a big 800-verse poem entitled Daba Huwan (covered in the back)." In Daba Huwan, he writes about the difficulties the Somalis experience when living abroad. Traditionalist Mr Hadraawi's work is used in schools as teaching material and "he spends most of his time going around the country training and encouraging budding Somali writers and poets," Mr Omar says. The poet is a traditionalist who even in exile managed to continue wearing his Somali traditional clothes and spoke Somali language "without an accent or mixing it with other foreign words". In one of his most loved songs titled "Hooyo'"which means Mother, Mr Hadraawi praises women and their contribution to society. During his peace tour, Mr Hadraawi will also pay a visit to the jail in Qansah-dhere of Bay region where was imprisoned for more than five years during Siad Barre's regime. "I am going to visit that jail," he said, "because it is where the freedom of expression was seriously violated." His recital tour will take him around the whole of Somalia although he himself comes from Somaliland. "I shouldn't put myself into a small enclave when I can enjoy the life with all my people," Mr Hadraawi said. "The country has been fragmented into pieces, and I don't want to become a part of any of the fragmented pieces, but Somalia would be my real place." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3084329.stm

War-torn Somalia gets a medical treatment Photo: HEATH MISSEN Issa Farah, Cabrini Hospital's Cath Garner and Sheikh Isse. July 20 2003 By Stephen Moynihan Hospital beds, trolleys, medical equipment and even a kitchen sink were packed into a container bound for Somalia on Friday. Melbourne's Cabrini Hospital, which works closely with the city's Somali community, donated the hospital equipment, which will find a new home in the city of Boosaaso, in Somalia's north-east. The container - which also holds computers donated by La Trobe University - will sail for Somalia tomorrow and is expected to arrive in the war-torn country in September. Cabrini Hospital chief executive Roger Greenman said the shipment was part of a plan to provide needy countries with vital medical equipment. He said the hospital was investigating the possibility of sending staff to Somalia to provide specialised skills. "It's important to remember the countries like Somalia because they tend to get forgotten and they are struggling," he said. Dr Aidarus Farah will arrive in Somalia at the end of this year to oversee the new equipment and to provide specialist medical skills. Dr Farah will work at the Boosaaso hospital as the country's only qualified orthopedic surgeon. He aims to treat children with deformities. The religious leader of Melbourne's Somali community, Sheikh Isse, said the donation of educational and health supplies was greatly appreciated. Sheikh Isse said it was important for Somalis here to help those in need back home. Somali community figure Issa Farah praised the generosity of the hospital and university. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/19/1058545631454.html

War-torn Somalia gets a medical treatment Photo: HEATH MISSEN Issa Farah, Cabrini Hospital's Cath Garner and Sheikh Isse. July 20 2003 By Stephen Moynihan Hospital beds, trolleys, medical equipment and even a kitchen sink were packed into a container bound for Somalia on Friday. Melbourne's Cabrini Hospital, which works closely with the city's Somali community, donated the hospital equipment, which will find a new home in the city of Boosaaso, in Somalia's north-east. The container - which also holds computers donated by La Trobe University - will sail for Somalia tomorrow and is expected to arrive in the war-torn country in September. Cabrini Hospital chief executive Roger Greenman said the shipment was part of a plan to provide needy countries with vital medical equipment. He said the hospital was investigating the possibility of sending staff to Somalia to provide specialised skills. "It's important to remember the countries like Somalia because they tend to get forgotten and they are struggling," he said. Dr Aidarus Farah will arrive in Somalia at the end of this year to oversee the new equipment and to provide specialist medical skills. Dr Farah will work at the Boosaaso hospital as the country's only qualified orthopedic surgeon. He aims to treat children with deformities. The religious leader of Melbourne's Somali community, Sheikh Isse, said the donation of educational and health supplies was greatly appreciated. Sheikh Isse said it was important for Somalis here to help those in need back home. Somali community figure Issa Farah praised the generosity of the hospital and university. http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/19/1058545631454.html

Somalia protesters tackle Cairo 18/07/2003 19:33 - (SA) Mogadishu - Protesters in Somalia burnt an effigy of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and the Egyptian flag on Friday, accusing Cairo of trying to derail ongoing Somali peace talks in Kenya, witnesses said. "Egypt is derailing peace efforts by the regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) by supporting anti-peace elements in the ongoing Somali talks in Kenya," Mogadishu-based warlord Bashir Raghe told the protesters. Raghe accused Egypt of arming late dictator Mohamed Siad Barre before he was toppled in 1991. His ouster pushed Somalia into anarchy. "Weapons provided by Egypt are the cause of endless civil-strife in Somalia. Egyptians wanted a puppet government in Somalia for their selfish political interests," Raghe charged. Other speakers also accused Egypt of supporting the Transitional National Government (TNG), which controls only pockets of Mogadishu. A similar anti-Egypt demonstration also took place on Friday in the town of Jawhar, 90km north of the capital. Some 300 delegates from the Mogadishu-based TNG, armed Somali factions under the umbrella of Somali Restoration and Reconciliation Council, armed and political groups known as "G8" and the clan-based civil society signed an accord in Nairobi on July 5. Under the accord, they agreed to establish a federal parliament that will appoint a new federal president, who in turn would appoint a prime minister, to be assisted by three deputy prime ministers. But TNG President Abdulkassim Salat Hassan and Mogadishu-based warlord Musa Sudi Yalahow have since rejected the accord. The Somali peace talks started at Kenya's northwest town of Eldoret last October 15, in what was the 16th attempt by the international community to restore peace to Somalia, ruled by clan warlords since dictator Barre was toppled. http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/News/0,,2-11-1447_1389515,00.html

EU backs Igad on Somalia peace process By Zablon Odhiambo and Neddy Mbori The European Union yesterday backed the Somali peace process in Kenya and pledged to support the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad). A statement from the EU Presidency said they would also support a comprehensive and balanced agreement and all-inclusive institutions entrusted with the implementation of the pact. The statement issued through the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Carlo Calia, also welcomed the July 5 signing by all Somali factional leaders of a document to usher in a new government in the war-torn country. The EU President said the approval of the document by acclamation at the plenary assembly of the summit was in line with the EU Council conclusions on Somalia of 22 July last year. He observed that it was satisfying to observe as the Somali leaders overcame their differences to compromise and allow peace and stability to return to their country. He hailed Kenya’s Special Envoy to the Somali peace process, Mr Bethwel Kiplagat, for successfully steering the process to its final stages. The president urged all the Somali leaders who are still out of the conference to join others and allow the summit to move into the third and final phase. He also cautioned leaders to desist from issues that are likely to jeopardise the smooth continuation and completion of the peace process. They should not particularly scuttle the October 27, 2002 Eldoret Agreement on cessation of hostilities to bring stability to the war-ravaged country. "The European Union is convinced that the future of the reconciliation process continues to rest in Somalis’ hands. It therefore calls for all Somali leaders to achieve a final compromise at an early date in order to allow for the return of peace and stability to the country, ending a decade of conflict which has caused immense suffering to the Somali people," the statement said. http://www.eastandard.net/headlines/news19072003008.htm

Clan Elders Leave for Kenya Today to Join Talks Special to Arab News JEDDAH, 18 July 2003 — Somali elders are due to be flown today from different cities in central and southern Somalia to participate the present peace talks in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, an organizer of the talks said. The elders are expected to select the members of the forthcoming federal Parliament. On June 5, Somali faction leaders and the Transitional National Government agreed to establish a 351-federal Parliament, which would appoint a new president, who in turn would appoint a prime minister. James Kiboi, a political and diplomatic liaison officer of the Somali peace talks, said in statement e-mailed to Arab News that two flights will be leaving Nairobi today to Mogadishu, Kismayu, Baidoa and Galkacayo in central and southern Somalia to pick up Somali elders. The signatories at the talks agreed that the selection of the parliamentarians should be based on clans. The clan elders are expected to select their quota of the proposed federal parliament in order to secure the greatest legitimacy as well as public support to the final outcome. The East African Inter-Governmental Authority on Development sponsors the Somali talks, which have been continuing for the past eight months in an effort to establish a broad-based government. About 361 delegates representing the TNG and armed factions and civil society groups are currently attending. The Hadrawi Peace March, named after the poet who recently returned from Europe, where he has lived since the outbreak of the civil war in Somalia in 1991, marched through the most violent parts in the war-torn city of Mogadishu. The march was organized by human rights and civil society groups. It was reported that Hadrawi had returned to his homeland to try to persuade Somalis to forgive each other and live in peace together in the country. He composed a poem expressing the difficulties that Somalis are facing outside their country and how the problems of Somalia have started. Somalis are mostly nomads with oral traditions based on their way of life. They admire poetry, and respect their poets and artists. It is expected that the peace march will visit southern and northern regions of the country soon. A four-year-old Somali boy is being prepared to return home after recovering from life-saving bowel surgery in Melbourne, Australia Broadcast Corporation said on Wednesday. Omar Muse Mohamed, 4, was brought to Australia in December 2002 by the Australian-based charity Children First Foundation. Doctors said the boy was suffering from a rare bowel condition. Paddy Dewan, a pediatric surgeon, said Omar’s bowel was held outside his body in a plastic bag, saying that without surgery Omar would have died in a few weeks. “When he got here he was anemic and malnourished and his colostomy, the bowel coming up to the skin to divert the fecal stream, was hanging almost to his knees. Omar has recovered well from his operation and will soon return to Somalia,” Dewan said. http://www.arabnews.com/?page=4&section=0&article=28935&d=18&m=7&y=2003

Omar gets 'new tummy' and a fresh start in life Picture: CRAIG ABRAHAM Four-year-old Omar Muse Mohamed shows his "new tummy" July 17 2003 By Lucy Beaumont When four-year-old Omar arrived in Melbourne on Christmas Eve, he carried much of his bowel in a plastic bag. When he returns home to Somalia on Monday, able to run and play for the first time, he will take clothes and toys and his "new tummy". "He pulls up his jumper and says, 'Finished'," said Moira Kelly, of the Children First Foundation, as Omar Muse Mohamed wriggled happily in her arms yesterday. "His family would never have seen Omar with such a personality. He was so gaunt and malnourished," she said. Rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital, Omar was anaemic, had not eaten for weeks and his bowel was infected and bleeding. Photographs show that a failed colostomy operation - required because Omar was born without an anus-had left part of his digestive system dangling near his feet. For years, he has carried his growing intestines around in a plastic bag taped to his chest. The tape left cracks in his skin. Once he was well enough, surgeon Paddy Dewan re-connected Omar's bowel, unblocked his urethra and created an anus for him. Although Somali doctors had tried to correct the birth defect, which affects one in 5000 babies , Omar would not have survived much longer in his native country. "Instead of going home to Somalia now, they would have been burying him earlier than now," Professor Dewan said. The life-saving treatment was made possible by Ms Kelly, Victoria's Australian of the Year, with $15,000 in donations from Rotary, corporations and expatriate Somalis, as well as free medical aid. "Eight weeks ago we did our first poo in our bottom," Ms Kelly said. "We were all crying and celebrating like it was a birthday party." Ms Kelly has helped about 180 impoverished or war-affected children to receive urgent medical treatment in Australia, Britain and the United States. Omar is unlikely to need further surgery and will rejoin his nomadic family of 10 in rural Somalia. "The children may be very poor but they are also very loved," Ms Kelly said. "He's got a mum and dad who love him more than we can imagine. That's where he belongs." Saying goodbye to the boy with a new-found grin will be heart-wrenching for Ms Kelly. Issa Farah, "Dhoollawaa" "I usually drop them at the airport and cry all the way home," she said. But with 11 overseas children staying at her Kilmore farm and more on the way, Ms Kelly's focus will soon be diverted. Her Somalian liaison, Issa Farah, will escort Omar home before returning to Melbourne with four sick children at the end of the month. They include two requiring heart surgery and one young girl with kerosene burns to her face and body. A Children First Foundation fund-raiser will be held tonight at Preston's Hotel William. Call 9485 0050 for tickets. Source: The Age, July 17, 03 ________________________________________________________________________ If your not crying by now--reread the story

Omar gets 'new tummy' and a fresh start in life Picture: CRAIG ABRAHAM Four-year-old Omar Muse Mohamed shows his "new tummy" July 17 2003 By Lucy Beaumont When four-year-old Omar arrived in Melbourne on Christmas Eve, he carried much of his bowel in a plastic bag. When he returns home to Somalia on Monday, able to run and play for the first time, he will take clothes and toys and his "new tummy". "He pulls up his jumper and says, 'Finished'," said Moira Kelly, of the Children First Foundation, as Omar Muse Mohamed wriggled happily in her arms yesterday. "His family would never have seen Omar with such a personality. He was so gaunt and malnourished," she said. Rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital, Omar was anaemic, had not eaten for weeks and his bowel was infected and bleeding. Photographs show that a failed colostomy operation - required because Omar was born without an anus-had left part of his digestive system dangling near his feet. For years, he has carried his growing intestines around in a plastic bag taped to his chest. The tape left cracks in his skin. Once he was well enough, surgeon Paddy Dewan re-connected Omar's bowel, unblocked his urethra and created an anus for him. Although Somali doctors had tried to correct the birth defect, which affects one in 5000 babies , Omar would not have survived much longer in his native country. "Instead of going home to Somalia now, they would have been burying him earlier than now," Professor Dewan said. The life-saving treatment was made possible by Ms Kelly, Victoria's Australian of the Year, with $15,000 in donations from Rotary, corporations and expatriate Somalis, as well as free medical aid. "Eight weeks ago we did our first poo in our bottom," Ms Kelly said. "We were all crying and celebrating like it was a birthday party." Ms Kelly has helped about 180 impoverished or war-affected children to receive urgent medical treatment in Australia, Britain and the United States. Omar is unlikely to need further surgery and will rejoin his nomadic family of 10 in rural Somalia. "The children may be very poor but they are also very loved," Ms Kelly said. "He's got a mum and dad who love him more than we can imagine. That's where he belongs." Saying goodbye to the boy with a new-found grin will be heart-wrenching for Ms Kelly. Issa Farah, "Dhoollawaa" "I usually drop them at the airport and cry all the way home," she said. But with 11 overseas children staying at her Kilmore farm and more on the way, Ms Kelly's focus will soon be diverted. Her Somalian liaison, Issa Farah, will escort Omar home before returning to Melbourne with four sick children at the end of the month. They include two requiring heart surgery and one young girl with kerosene burns to her face and body. A Children First Foundation fund-raiser will be held tonight at Preston's Hotel William. Call 9485 0050 for tickets. Source: The Age, July 17, 03

Omar gets 'new tummy' and a fresh start in life Picture: CRAIG ABRAHAM Four-year-old Omar Muse Mohamed shows his "new tummy" July 17 2003 By Lucy Beaumont When four-year-old Omar arrived in Melbourne on Christmas Eve, he carried much of his bowel in a plastic bag. When he returns home to Somalia on Monday, able to run and play for the first time, he will take clothes and toys and his "new tummy". "He pulls up his jumper and says, 'Finished'," said Moira Kelly, of the Children First Foundation, as Omar Muse Mohamed wriggled happily in her arms yesterday. "His family would never have seen Omar with such a personality. He was so gaunt and malnourished," she said. Rushed to the Royal Children's Hospital, Omar was anaemic, had not eaten for weeks and his bowel was infected and bleeding. Photographs show that a failed colostomy operation - required because Omar was born without an anus- had left part of his digestive system dangling near his feet . For years, he has carried his growing intestines around in a plastic bag taped to his chest. The tape left cracks in his skin. Once he was well enough, surgeon Paddy Dewan re-connected Omar's bowel, unblocked his urethra and created an anus for him. Although Somali doctors had tried to correct the birth defect, which affects one in 5000 babies , Omar would not have survived much longer in his native country. "Instead of going home to Somalia now, they would have been burying him earlier than now," Professor Dewan said. The life-saving treatment was made possible by Ms Kelly, Victoria's Australian of the Year, with $15,000 in donations from Rotary, corporations and expatriate Somalis, as well as free medical aid. "Eight weeks ago we did our first poo in our bottom," Ms Kelly said. "We were all crying and celebrating like it was a birthday party." Ms Kelly has helped about 180 impoverished or war-affected children to receive urgent medical treatment in Australia, Britain and the United States. Omar is unlikely to need further surgery and will rejoin his nomadic family of 10 in rural Somalia. "The children may be very poor but they are also very loved," Ms Kelly said. "He's got a mum and dad who love him more than we can imagine. That's where he belongs." Saying goodbye to the boy with a new-found grin will be heart-wrenching for Ms Kelly. Issa Farah, "Dhoollawaa" "I usually drop them at the airport and cry all the way home," she said. But with 11 overseas children staying at her Kilmore farm and more on the way, Ms Kelly's focus will soon be diverted. Her Somalian liaison, Issa Farah, will escort Omar home before returning to Melbourne with four sick children at the end of the month. They include two requiring heart surgery and one young girl with kerosene burns to her face and body. A Children First Foundation fund-raiser will be held tonight at Preston's Hotel William. Call 9485 0050 for tickets. Source: The Age, July 17, 03

Yacqoub, I read an article about this subject on Hiraan.com titled 'Federal Somalia'. It also included a map of possible final look of federal states. You can also read the two purposed constitutions/charters for some answers. http://www.hiiraan.com/htdocs/2003/june03/constitution.htm -->18 Factions http://www.hiiraan.com/htdocs/2003/june03/finaldraft.htm --> Harmonization Committee’s http://www.hiiraan.com/Sept/somalia.htm -->Federal Somalia Article/Map

Is Federalism Threat To Our Unity? The focus of the discussions among Somalis, whether they are in the teashops known as "fadhi ku dirir" or universities, is advantages and disadvantages of federal system. It is a threat to our unity! Claim the opponents of the federalism. Federalists argue it is justice and fair power sharing system. Let us examine little bit the history of the federalism or lack of it with in the Somali context. This debate is older than the independence of the nation, leaders of the Hisbiya (HDM) party put forward the federal system be implemented after the independence with a vision of fair power sharing, they were labeled as colonial cronies by the SYL the dominant political party at that time. Somalia chose central "UNITARY" government when the south and north joined and set up the first republic of the country on July 1st, 1960. Mogadishu became the center of the power, with few families from the south holding the lion share of the government portfolios. Honeymoon did not last long because of dissatisfaction at the distribution of power among the clan families and between the two regions. Separatist movements started to surface one year after the independence. Unitary government failed to unite the country right after its birth. Advocates of unitary system claimed then (before the independence) and now federalism would create clannishness. I can guarantee that clannishness would not disappear no matter what form of system we chose. Unitary system neither under the democratic rule nor dictatorship was free of clannishness, as matter of fact it reached a point where no one anticipated it will get. Federalism would at least slice the pie and make sure each group get a portion of the pie. Now, after fifty some thing years, majority of Somalis decided to try federal system. Federalism worked in many countries successfully; people can be united under federal states. However, one has to remember federalism just by mentioning it in the constitution does not guarantee that our problems would disappear. For a federal system to work, process has to start from the bottom (grass roots), to make sure that we do not end up state level dictators or should we call them tribal dictators. One thing we know is that unitary system has been tried long enough, and it failed us badly. Unless we want to go the same road to hell again and again, the only choice left for us is federal system based on justice and traditional territorial arrangements. A. Abow Toronto, Canada E-mail: abow@idirect.com

BARWAAQO, I'm glad you enjoyed the article. Women are the backbone of our country and society. Insha'Allah things will get better. Originally posted by rayaana: Like u guys actually care or give a damn? What's that suppose to mean? Don't generalize. Qa'Qa', Why you so negative? There's nothing wrong with trying to raise the standard of women socially, politically and economically. I say well done to hawa Aden and keep up the good work

UN Will Help Deploy Peacekeeping Forces in Somalia July 12, 2003. HornAfrik, Mogadishu, Somalia. The Kenyan president, Mwal Kipaki, who was attending the just concluded African union summit in Mozambique has held talks with the united nations general secretary Koffi Anan about the recent accord signed in Nairobi by Somali political leaders participating the ongoing peace conference there. During the talks Mr. Anan promised that the UN will help deploy peace keeping forces in Somali. He also praised president Kipaki for his efforts to end the civil war in Sudan. President Kipaki also held talks with the Djiboutian president, Ismael Omar Gelle, about the Somali peace process. Mr. Gelle has welcomed the recent accord signed in Nairobi by Somalia’s political leaders and praised president Kipaki for his efforts to get a lasting solution to the civil war in Somalia. Kenya has already appealed for international peace keeping forces being deployed in Somalia if the peace process produces an inclusive government for the country. http://www.hornafrik.com/Newspage/newsid3015.htm

Kenya 'to reconcile' Ethiopia and Somalia By Isaac Esipisu in Maputo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka says Kenya will try to mediate between Ethiopia and Somalia after the latter accused Ethiopia of continuously interfering in its affairs. In an interview in Maputo, Mozambique, the minister said Somalia and Ethiopia had earlier on, during the session, exchanged bitter words after the Somali Transitional National Government President, Dr Abdikassim Salad Hassan, read a statement at the assembly of the African Union (AU), accusing Ethiopia of having a negative stance to the peace process. Kalonzo said Kenya would try and iron out the differences, adding that President Mwai Kibaki will mediate between the two countries to find a solution to their long -standing wrangles, which are a stumbling block to peace and stability in Somalia. In the outburst that angered Ethiopia, Hassan said that Ethiopia's interference in Somali affairs was a violation of the arms embargo imposed by the UN Security Council on Somalia. "I must admit that in the three years of its existence, the Transitional Government could have done more had it not been the continuous and daily interference of Ethiopia in our internal affairs," he said. Hassan said he sent a goodwill delegation to Addis Ababa to persuade Ethiopia to help Somalia stand on its feet. He said he had also travelled twice to Ethiopia with the same goodwill messages but nothing had changed on the ground. He President accused Ethiopia of sponsoring the creation of a rag-tag opposition group in large part to undermine the TNG. He said that the rag-tag creature of Ethiopia was made up of factions hostile to TNG. He further stated that in a report by the UN Security Council in Somali, Ethiopia had been a major source of weapons to Somali. On Ethiopia's military occupation, Hassan quoted the UN report saying, "Ethiopia has played an overt military role in Somalia, that its military presence in eastern Somalia is significant and that Ethiopia has also invaded and occupied parts of Somalia". Copyright © 2002 . The Standard Ltd http://www.eastandard.net/headlines/new13072003010.htm

May Allah forgive their mistakes. Amiin.

May Allah forgive their mistakes. Amiin.

OG Girl, The Transitional National Government(TNG) was formed in Arta, Djibouti in summer 2000 for a three year term(2003). The leader of the TNG also known as Arta group is AbdulQasim Salat Hassan. They are recognized by a few faction in Southern Somalia and control a sections of Mogadishu and surroundings. They are also taking part in the peace talks in Kenya. I hope that helps. And welcome to the Politics Section. Your congratulations are a bit late--but I'm sure Mr. Hassan appreciates them You know what they say, Better late then never! _______________________________________________________________________________ It seems as though the other Somali factions tried to block him from attending the AU conference--including his PM and Speaker of the Parliament. http://www.allsomalianews.com/shirka_kenya/se_to_eu_120703.htm

SNW, It refreshing to hear such well thought out ideas. Federalism is the future for Somalia. Originally posted by DJ: the nations power would still be in the presidents hand. bush still has a firm grasp on the nations policies. Actually most of the power in the US is concentrated in House/Senate. Bush can't even go to war without the approval of Congress. He is able to carry out his parties policies because of a weak opposition, majority in both houses, a sympathetic media, etc. The whole point of Federalism is to transfer power out of the Presidents/PM office to regional/local governments. Since you think Federalism is the wrong route, What do you think is the answer?

OG, No hard feeling. I agree with you that we shouldn't blame everything on others. But it is still very sad to hear.

Iraqi Orphans A Tragic Reality Of An Occupied Country Thursday, June 12 2003 @ 08:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time Contributed by: Admin Views: 19 BAGHDAD, June 12 (IslamOnline.net) – Fleeing from an orphanage that had been looted after the U.S.-led invasion of the country, she wandered in Baghdad streets until she was raped by some armed men. The 15-year-old Zeinab now wonders about the fate of an embryo in her womb; yet, no one, including the U.S. occupation forces in charge of the occupied Iraq, has the answer. In an interview with IslamOnline.net, Zeinab started to recall her painful memories, “After looters broke into the orphanage, I fled but never knew where to go or what my destiny would be. More than 100 girls fled with me, each has gone her own way. I remained alone for 3 nights.” “While wandering along Baghdad streets in search of food, I was kidnapped by four armed people, who raped and beat me hard. I’m pregnant now and I don’t know what the fate of my son would be,” she added. “I sleep in a boat along Tigris River and suffer severe pain in my abdomen. People insult me and make fun of me. Sometimes I hear harsh words.” “What is my guilt? I’m a victim of those who raped me. I shouted loudly but people never rescued me, as the criminals were armed. Why should I pay the price of their recklessness and criminality? I have no place to go to, nor do I have money to buy food,” she said in tears. Zeinab is not the only victim of the deteriorating security situation in Iraq since the beginning of the U.S.-led occupation. Both Americans and looters broke into several orphanages and drove orphans out. “The U.S. troops drove us out of Dar El-Rahma orphanage. We have no relatives. Since then, I’ve been begging in the streets, and people sometimes give me food,” Asaad, 11, told IslamOnline.net. “At night, I sleep near a hotel because I am very scared, particularly after a gang kidnapped my roommate Mostafa. I don’t know where they took him or what they did to him,” he added. “I deal in drugs on behalf of a man called Abdel Wahab Abu Zaman, and in return, he gives me money to buy food and tranquilizers that help me sleep,” Adel, 13, told us on condition we give him some food. Buying Children On this issue, head of the Iraqi Society for Social Sciences Dr. Ihsan Mohamed Al-Hassan said that the community and the state are responsible for the vagrancy of those children. “If each person working in those orphanage had accompanied two of those children to a home, this disaster that foretell a human and social problem would have never happened. I’ve been told that street children are sold for sexual purposes and for killing them and selling their organs,” he added. “The Iraqi police should interfere to prevent such disasters. Religious people should guide our youth to help avoid such bad circumstances.” “The country have suffered lately severe pains during the war, including the daily phenomenon of kidnapping boys and girls,” Dr. Khaled Mohiel Din, an Iraqi Islamic law professor, said. “Absence of laws allows every delinquent to do whatever violations he likes,” he added, underlining the necessity of instituting a national government as soon as possible, rehabilitating the role of the state and paying much attention to children roaming Baghdad streets.

OG Girl, Did you read the last sentence? "UNICEF is preparing a study to assess the magnitude of the problem, which did not exist before" I am surprised that you think this is normal. It is not. And it is very sad for me to hear that in Kuwait.

Homeless in Baghdad Nine-year-old Iraqi Ashwaq (L) smokes a cigarette as her friend Omar, 12, sniffs glue June 27, close to Fardous or Paradise Square in Baghdad. The children, orphans, spend nearly all the money they beg on solvents to sniff. According to the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the number of children living in the streets of Baghdad has increased since the US-led war that toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in April. UNICEF is preparing a study to assess the magnitude of the problem, which did not exist before (AFPphoto) __________________________________________________________________________ This story is from the http://www.jordantimes.com http://www.unicef.org/noteworthy/iraq/orphans.html

Well done to her and all Somali women.