Ya Duke, I repeat: The money is not coming!! Listen to the Minister scream... He even admits that Puntland was not allowed to attend the international conferences on aid, even though it obviously wanted to. He accuses the UN Special Rep. of being behind this refusal to let Puntland participate. Tsk, tsk... Somalia: Puntland info minister criticizes UN Special Envoy By May 2, 2009 - 12:28:38 PM GAROWE, Somalia May 2 (Garowe Online) - A Cabinet minister Somalia's Puntland regional authority has criticized the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative to Somalia, accusing him of being an "obstacle," Radio Garowe reports. Mr. Warsame Abdi "Sefta Bananka," Puntland's information minister, told the VOA Somali Service during a Friday interview that international donor funds intended for Somalia should be divided equally among all Somalis. Puntland Information Minister Warsame Abdi "Sefta Bananka" "The international community's pledges to support Somalia should be divided equally and to be handed directly to places where there are [regional] administrations," the Puntland Information Minister said. He accused Mr. Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the UN Special Envoy to Somalia, of being an "obstacle to Puntland participation at international conferences on Somalia." On Thursday, the Puntland government issued a press release in response to last month's international conference on Somalia that was held in Belgium, where donors pledged more than US$200million to support the African Union peacekeeping mission (AMISOM) in Somalia and to bolster the interim government's security forces. Puntland Information Minister Sefta Bananka said the regional authority would use donor support to fund ongoing programs, such as reorganizing the security forces and the reinforcing the fight against pirates, while highlighting that a court in Puntland recently sentenced 62 pirates to jail terms. He was critical of the use of 'Government of National Unity' name, saying that the Transitional Federal Government is the only name Puntland recognizes. Response Mr. Farhan Ali Mohamud, the information minister of the Government of National Unity, told the VOA Somali Service that the name is appropriate until after the transitional period ends and federalism is implemented. "Our policy is to maintain good relations with regional authorities in the country," the Somali Information Minister said. He indicated that all political issues between the federal government and the regional administrations will be resolved "through dialogue and consensus." "We have a good working relationship with regional administrations, especially Puntland," Information Minister Mohamud added. He defended the Somali government's right to attend international conferences on behalf of Somalia, saying that it is the "government of all 18 [administrative] regions" that existed in Somalia before the outbreak of civil war in 1991. The Somali Information Minister explained that the pledged donor funds are "not intended for humanitarian or development aid, but it is support to the Unity Government security forces." He indicated that resource-sharing between the federal government and the regional administrations must be preceded by revenue-sharing agreement about taxes and other sources of government income. Somalia has been mired in armed conflict since the early 1990s, when the country's last effective ruler was overthrown and the Horn of Africa nation plunged into civil war. Puntland, located in northeastern Somalia, was established in 1998 as a role model state for a future Federal Republic of Somalia.

Originally posted by General Duke: ^^^They are afraid of him saxib, which is good for Puntland.. ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ^^LOL From today's NYTimes: The restaurant sat across from the presidential palace. Mr. Boyah cut right through a crowd of Puntland soldiers to enter. He is hard to miss, about 6 foot 4 and dangerously thin. Earlier, he had been sitting on a couch, thigh to thigh, next to a high-ranking police chief. The two joked — or maybe it was not a joke — that they were cousins. ----------------- Even the pirate is not afraid of him while sitting across the teashop, let alone someone else

Unfortunately for you, my friend, the world press is not as fascinated by the date of the future Somaliland elections as they are by the dangerous break down of law and order in Puntland - which, coincidentally, has greatly inconvenienced the world! I'm not the one running the world's media outlets so don't take it out on me, please

Just like the poor fellow they allowed the NYTimes to interview posing as a Pirate Chief. Now, knowing that they (pirates) are officially hunted by the U.S. and others (financial sanctions on any funds that can be found in the global financial system), inability to travel to the rest of the world if you're found to be a pirate - why would a rich, pirate chief allow himself to be named and photographed on one of the most widely read newspapers in the world?? The poor fellow is a member of Faroole's household staff who's been told "Pretend to be a pirate or loose your job". A shallow attempt at image management that will get nowhere as usual. And I love the photograph of the anti-pirate slogan on the wall. Reminds me of the use of the word ' Democratic ' in Siyad Barre's communiques. Simply priceless...

Duke, I love the map of Puntland. Quite different from the one used by the NYTimes in today's article (watch the video attached to the article), or Reuters, or Associated Press, or NPR, or the BBC... Get the picture

People are worried for you, Xiin, not me But I assure all that I'll put the torch away for the weekend. It's just a gut reaction aversion to ' Munaafiqnimo ' that I have. If there was less of that quality in the Xiin's of the South, peace would bloom from Bossasso to Ras Kamboni.

^^ I'll turn it off (the torch) for the weekend so the poor fellow can get some rest. I suspect he's wearing that same Khaliji white robe that Dahir Aweys also wears

Originally posted by General Duke: Our crooks [Pirates /Coast guards] take money from illegal western ships. And also brought to you express from NPR (US Public Radio): On the corner of the 7 is Puntland, which is on both the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Puntland means "Land of Spices." But the region is better known for human trafficking and piracy. Most hijacked ships are moored off Puntland. Many in Puntland's government are said to be in league with the pirates. And with more than a dozen hijacked ships off the Puntland coast, piracy clearly has some local support. The lobby is very effective I see NPR Link

Originally posted by General Duke: Our crooks [Pirates /Coast guards] take money from illegal western ships. And also brought to you express from NPR (US Public Radio): On the corner of the 7 is Puntland, which is on both the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. Puntland means "Land of Spices." But the region is better known for human trafficking and piracy. Most hijacked ships are moored off Puntland. Many in Puntland's government are said to be in league with the pirates. And with more than a dozen hijacked ships off the Puntland coast, piracy clearly has some local support. The lobby is very effective I see NPR Link

The pirates can make all the money they can while the going is good, but the Puntland Authorities will not see a dime of international aid. Is that point so hard to understand??

Originally posted by xiinfaniin: ^^In theory i would be fine with the division thing, as long I am the divider and conquerer . But here it's all in your head awoowe Show your true colors, yaa Muslim

Originally posted by General Duke: ^^^What facts, that Gates & Clinton are interested in talking to Puntland? That the US has rules out any bombings on land, and that the world is open to dealing with the real issues of Toxic waste and overfishing. You want the WEST to bomb Garowe, but thats the real wishful thinking, because in this grand game you dont exist, your enclave is not taken seriously.. Again dear lad, why you mad at the Pirates, is it the money, the fame or the ladies? Always attempting to change the issue at hand, Duke. Tsk, tsk... Who talked about bombing Garowe? Don't be paranoid As for not being taken seriously, that's equivalent to saying Ethiopia and Kenya are not significant b/c they're not mentioned when talking about the lawlessness of Puntland. Oooh, my goodness, must I spell out everything for you in 'Far waaweyn'??

^^ When you can't beat them, fair and square, DIVIDE AND CONQUER, said the British! Nice try, Xiin, but a little weak...

^^ Very usual response from you, Duke. Hide from the presented facts. All hail the Puntland Coast Guard, led by his Excellency, the Honorable Sheikh Abdullahi Yusuf

From Ken Menkhaus and ENOUGH project: The lowest order of threat to the TFG, the Somali people, the region, and the United States is actually the security item enjoying the greatest attention right now—piracy. Even so, the continued epidemic of piracy off the Somali coast is a problem and a test of the capacity of the TFG to extend its authority. Proposals to provide external assistance to the TFG for the establishment of a coast guard are premature, do not reflect the security priorities of the Somali people, and are unlikely to work. Indeed, training up coast guard officers could easily produce unintended consequences, as that new skill set will be more valuable in the piracy sector than in the public sector, producing defections from the coast guard. A more appropriate approach for the TFG will be to tackle piracy onshore. That will require time, funds, and extensive negotiations. External actors will have only limited roles to play in this internal Somali process. Antipiracy measures would attract much greater support among Somalis if those efforts were accompanied by international action to end illegal fishing off Somalia’s coast. Like the shabaab during the Ethiopian occupation, pirates have managed to cloak their criminal agenda beneath a veil of Somali nationalism . Those poor Gaallo are not as dumb as you fellows wish...

Originally posted by General Duke: lool. Desperate secessionists are envious of the attention. Anyhow Puntland is moving foreward and crime is no big issue Europe/US have the most criminals and they are the most developed. The Pirates have irked some because in the North of Somalia girls from Hargaysa, Burco to Bossaso want to marry the Pirates of Eyl. How can you compete? Duke, are you hoping we'll become 'Xidid'

Originally posted by General Duke: There is no end game, Puntland has gained much from this issue, the world knows where it is, that its government is the only way tod eal with the Pirates. If crime could destroy a nation then the Mafia would have destroyed Italy. Maybe they need to bomb Naples because of the Comora. True, ya Duke, very true. But that's also why very few multinational conglomerates establish large regional branches in Italy. They just don't wanna deal with the corruption and hassles. That's why business in Italy is primarily driven by small, family businesses all the way to the medium level. Make sense, old friend??

Originally posted by Che -Guevara: ^Mintid is well behaved child who's always get ignored.....Why channell so many millions into south *oh wait it's not to Puntland..ahaa that makes me feel better* Mintid...What gives....? You made your point but what's end game here At least, you're admitting we're well-behaved. As for the ignored part, if you only knew, ya Che. Notice, I never post items on the Somaliland/U.S. interaction. What's the point from my interests? So Xiin and co. can mobilize their thousands of Flight 13 cousins to bombard their elected representatives in Ohio and Minnesota with letters protesting the relationship?! Xiin, adkeyso, saaxiib, ADKEYSO You can always move Reerka from Nairobi to Hargeisa, Burco, Borama, or Ceerigaabo. No one will bother them as long as they don't meddle...

You made your bed, fellas, NOW SLEEP ON IT

At least you fellows know where I'm coming from Let the games continue...

^^ From the NYTimes article: “He’s respected as a pioneer,” said Yusuf Hassan, the managing editor of Garowe Online, a Somali news Web site. When Mr. Boyah walked into a restaurant recently, he had to shake half a dozen hands before sitting at a plastic, fly-covered table with two foreign journalists. The restaurant sat across from the presidential palace. Mr. Boyah cut right through a crowd of Puntland soldiers to enter. He is hard to miss, about 6 foot 4 and dangerously thin. Earlier, he had been sitting on a couch, thigh to thigh, next to a high-ranking police chief. The two joked — or maybe it was not a joke — that they were cousins. Xiin, I suggest you read Ken Menkhaus latest analysis for the ENOUGH project. He's one of the premier Somali-affairs consultants that the U.S. gov't uses (is present at any Congressional hearing on Somali affairs). He recommends to not give a dime to the Puntland authorities for this silly request for funds to harness the piracy. All funds must eventually be funnelled through Sharif and co. (and definitely not now, according to him, because Sharif and co. do not have the capacity to use it efficiently or wisely). Give it up, bro, it's going no where...

Che, even you can see through the ridiculousness of this story. I guess the PR firm in the U.S. hired by Faroole is earning its bread. But anyone can see through this charade by simply reading the NYTimes article. The pirate warlord is eating in a restaurant across from the Presidential Palace, on a first name basis with the Police Chief (joking with him, according to the article). No one arrests him even though the administration claims to be launching an anti-piracy campaign. Writing anti-piracy slogans on a wall, holding a government-instigate d anti-piracy demonstration, and other propaganda is all well and good, but the culprits are right there hanging out with the government!!! So who is being fooled?? Everyone knows what the deal is. The Puntland authorities are in bed with the pirates - that's why the international community refuses to give a dime to Faroole and co. for anti-piracy measures. They're not dumb! The classic line in the article was 'blaming the piracy on Adde Muse (claiming he was in bed with the pirates). Poor Adde Muse, he's becoming the punching bag for every one of Puntland's ills. The poor fool - all he wanted was to collect a few million from oil deals with his nephew. He didn't know a pirate from an old lady in Qardho Nice attempt,though

Aweys and Co. will not rest till Aweys is the top man in all Somali-inhabited areas. It's as simple as that. While criticizing Sharif and Co. for relying on non-Muslim actors, the leadership of the Aweys group receives weapons from its Christian Eritrean backers who get these same weapons from Israeli arms dealers. Yaa Duniya...

Originally posted by J.a.c.a.y.l.b.a.r.o: It is unfortunate but i'm sure the good Garaad will be back to his sense .... soon. After the war funds from Northern Virginia and Northern Europe dry up The remnants of the old Barre regime still have some shillings left in those pockets... Maskiinka waa la wareeriyey... There's no occupation in Sool. Raggii meesha u dhashey uun baa xukuma!!!

Originally posted by somalipride: Can you show me on allpuntlands website where this article is? I'm having trouble finding it, thanks. It would be my pleasure, mate Here it is: Link Hopefully it won't get taken down in a few hours after I get reported by all the 'Guulwadayaal' on SOL