Jacaylbaro Posted June 15, 2008 Very hilarious article ,,, here it is : I am told that last year that the 'Somaliland government' (we have to remember that this is not an internationally recognised state) had a budget of just $30 million to play with. More than half of this I understand would have been spent on defence and security...when you are a breakaway republic your borders need defending! That leaves no more than $15 million for health, education, and justice...not to mention agriculture, immigration and social security...if only. No international recognition means no direct foreign budgetary assistance...quite literally zero dollars, neither direct contributions to a government pot, nor ringfenced to specific programmes. Some money does make its way through UN programmes and international aid agencies, but the numbers are miniscule relatively speaking. The frustration of Somalianders' is understandable when you consider the money being paid to warlords in neighbouring Mogadishu - see this article written by Rob Crilly of The Times of London. Just in case $30 million sounds a decent chunk of money, here's how far it goes elsewhere... Saddam's Yacht - the decor aboard this floating palace - originally called Qadissivat Saddam - includes Arab the decor aboard the floating palace -originally called Qadissivat Saddam - include Arabesque arches, dark wood carvings, deep pile carpets and loose rugs woven in Islam's holiest cities. Carlton House, London. Price: £17 million - This new, 15,000-square-foot house on a half-acre features a 50-foot long ballroom, catering kitchen fitted out for banquets, has nine bedroom suites, all with Italian marble bathrooms. The leisure complex has a heated mosaic swimming pool, sauna, gym and a 12-person Turkish bath, and, like Thunderbirds, there is a vehicle lift that takes your car from the forecourt into the four-vehicle garage below. And should you ever forget your swim-wear on holiday, how about this for value for money! The bikini, contains over 150 carats of flawless diamonds, some of which are the rarest in the world including a 51-carat, pear-shaped diamond, a 30-carat emerald cut, a pair of 15 carat rounds and a pair of eight carat pear shaped stones. The stones are sent in platinum for one valuable and very tiny bikini. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites