Kenya asks Bush for help in Somalia!

[GarYaQaaN]

Nomads, do you think the U.S. should/could play a role in the Somali peace process?

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AP news report:

 

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki asked US President George Bush on Monday for more American help in stabilising Somalia, an East African neighbour that terrorism experts say is a concern because of the lawlessness there.

 

"I emphasised that in order to maintain the democratic gains and to sustain the war against terrorism, it is essential that Somalia stabilises," Mr Kibaki said during a joint news conference with Mr Bush.

 

"In this respect, it is important for the US to increase its involvement in this search for peace in Somalia. It is pertinent that all parties involved in the peace process remain engaged. I requested the US government to assist in this regard."

 

Mr Bush made no public commitments on expanding the American role in Somalia, where 18 US soldiers died in a fierce street battle, a clash that spurred the exit of American peacekeepers during the administration of president Bill Clinton.

 

But Mr Bush said he hoped "Somalia will continue to work with Kenya to bring unity and reconciliation to a badly divided land."

 

"The establishment of an effective representative government in Somalia will help stabilise the region and dispel the hopelessness that feeds terror," Mr Bush said.

 

The two leaders faced reporters as part of a state visit by Mr Kibaki. It was just the fourth state visit Mr Bush has hosted since becoming president, underscoring the importance that he attaches to America's ties with Kenya.

 

Terrorism, and Kenya's efforts to combat it, took center stage during the visit.

 

Last November, a car bomb detonated in the Kenyan port city of Mombasa killed three Israeli tourists and at least 10 Kenyans. The attack has been blamed on al-Qaeda. Almost simultaneously, surface-to-air missiles narrowly missed an Israeli charter jet taking off from Mombasa airport.

 

"In Nairobi and Mombasa and beyond, terrorists have made Kenya a battleground," Mr Bush said. But, he added, "The president affirmed the fact that the Kenyan people refuse to live in fear." He cited steps Kenya has taken to fight terror, including arresting suspects. "My government will continue to give them the help they need to do so," Mr Bush said.

 

Mr Bush and Mr Kibaki also discussed peace efforts in Sudan, where Kenya is trying to broker a permanent truce. Formal negotiations resume this week.

 

Earlier, Mr Bush praised Kenya's "historic election" last year as a major step toward democracy while pledging to help the African nation fight terrorism.

 

"There can be no compromise with this evil, and the government of Kenya is a vital ally in the ongoing war against terror," Mr Bush said.

 

The two leaders were also discussing Kenya's democratic breakthrough over the past year and its problems with terrorism and AIDS. It is estimated that 700 Kenyans each day die of the disease.

 

"My government is determined to uphold democratic values, human rights, good governance and the rule of law, and to empower people," Mr Kibaki said.

[Baashi]

GarYaQaaN,

The U.S. could play a role in the Somali peace process. They are an expert of the arm-twisting business. They have dealt with leaders far more powerfull than current political actors in Somali politics. In that regard, U.S. should throw its weight behind the reconciliation effort and engage back-door arm-twisting with the the stubborn warlords.

 

My only concern would be the current administration limited understanding in the issues and their willingness to listen Zenawi. Apart of that, I really would like to see even-handed American involvement in the peace conference.

[Liqaye]

Has any one noticed that the USA IS ALREADY A MAJOR PLAYER IN SOMALIAS CIVIL WAR????

 

BY GIVING THE ETHIOPIANS A FREE HAND TO #### UP EVERY GENUINE ATTEMP AT PEACE IN SOMALIA

 

 

:mad: :mad:

[GarYaQaaN]

I think its time we stop blaming our problems on others and take responsibility. Yes Ethiopia wants to contain any future Somali government by controlling the Warlords, but that is understandable since it is acting in its own interest. The problem is not Ethiopia but its Somali lackeys!