Fyr Posted February 27, 2005 “Why Don’t You Give Us [somaliland] Recognition?†Yusuf Gabobe Asks The British Prime Minister: “Why Don’t You Give Us [somaliland] Recognition?†London, UK, Feb 26, 2005 (SL Times) – British Prime Minister, Tony Blair held a press conference yesterday at Lancaster House to talk about the Commission for Africa project. Mr. Blair gave an exclusive meeting to a group of African journalists at four o'clock (UK time) in which he spoke about his envisaged aid project for Africa. Blair was flanked by the popular music star and founder of Live aid, Bob Geldof. Somaliland Times editor, Yusuf Gabobe, posed the following question to the British Prime Minister: Q: Mr. Prime Minister, one of the success stories in Africa is Somaliland, a country doing well without aid, although that doesn't mean they don't need aid. But the most important thing that they need is recognition. Your government has been reluctant to recognize Somaliland though at one time Somaliland was a British Protectorate and later an independent country. People there are building effectively a whole country from scratch. It’s a Muslim country practicing democracy, good governance, free press and free economy. What else could you possibly want from us? Why don't you give us recognition, that is the best way you could help (laughter from audience). We cannot travel and our private sector cannot do business with the rest of the world due to lack of recognition…. (Interruption by Geldof, saying… 'Because your country is not recognized clearly it doesn't exist, urban terrorists could possibly be there'). Mr Blair answered: "Well let me sense that… we want to help the people of your country. We have to be sure that these things you said are going to endure. But I can assure you…. it’s not really a prejudice that is holding us back. We have to just wait and see what the coming months bring. " Blair stressed that although there are people within Africa and out who are skeptical of the Commission, they should give it a chance and not condemn it before even it launches its report on March 11, 2005. "This is a once in a generation chance to make a difference. In the end you divide people into two groups; the cynical who think that nothing can be done and the optimistic. It isn’t true nothing ever changes. Those people, who never try, never find out the difference," added Mr Blair. Blair hopes to rally support for the Commission of Africa using the UK's chairmanship of the G-8 and the European Union. He said it would also be crucial to bring on board Japan and the US. After Tony Blair’s press conference, Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, participated in an international press conference. Yusuf A. Gabobe asked a last minute question: Q: Will your relations with the new government of Somalia has an effect on your relations with Somaliland? Meles Zenawi: No, never. It will not happen. 2005-02-27 Source: hatuf Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
