Lord Triesman and Hilary Benn meet President Yusuf of Somalia

[NASSIR]

Lord Triesman and Hilary Benn meet President Yusuf of Somalia

 

 

Foreign and Commonwealth Office (National)

 

Lord Triesman and Hilary Benn meet President Yusuf of Somalia

 

 

Lord Triesman, Foreign Office Minister for Africa, today met with His Excellency Mr Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed, President of the Transitional Federal Republic of Somalia. The President is visiting the UK on 21-22 February as a guest of the British Government. He has a range of meetings with the government, including calls yesterday on the International Development Secretary, Hilary Benn, and the Foreign Affairs Select Committee. He will also address a meeting today on Somalia at Chatham House.

 

 

Lord Triesman said:

 

 

"We are delighted that President Yusuf of Somalia is visiting the UK as a guest of the British government. We welcome President Yusuf's commitment to reconciliation in Somalia and will support him in his efforts to establish representative, inclusive institutions in Somalia with the support of the people of Somalia. We believe this will help bring peace, stability and democracy to Somalia for the first time in many years."

 

 

Hilary Benn said:

 

 

"The challenge of reconstructing and developing Somalia is immense. Four out of five children do not go to school. The average life expectancy is 47, and nearly a quarter of children die before the age of five. But genuine reconstruction will only happen if there is true reconciliation, including a reconciliation congress, and lasting peace in the country. The UK remains committed to helping the President and the Transitional Federal Institutions to find that peaceful settlement, and start to meet the needs of the Somali people."

 

 

Notes to Editors:

 

 

* President Yusuf is visiting with a delegation that includes The Hon Hussein Elabie Fahie, Minister of Planning; Mr Mohammed Wasame Farah, the Head of National Security Agency; and Mr Ali Dirir Farah, Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

 

 

* The UK is one of the largest bilateral donors to Somalia, providing £15.5 million of assistance in 2006/07.

 

 

* A copy of the President's speech to Chatham House will be available from Chatham House at 16.00 on 22 February.

 

 

Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL

 

 

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[Peacenow]

A second tier meeting party for a fifth tier 'president'.

You can just look at the distate the British have for this warlord group.

[Fiqikhayre]

^Liar.

[Chimera]

Originally posted by peacenow:

A second tier meeting party for a fifth tier 'president'.

You can just look at the distate the British have for this warlord group.

[Gordon Gekko]

Probably off-topic:

 

Mr. Oodweyne, with reference to your alleged UK mid/high-level governmental contacts, could you give us any 'inside info' on these UK officials standpoint regarding Somalilands declaration of independence?

[General Duke]

Oodweyne, I am touched by how deep this has affected you of all. It has prompted you to come out of the shadows, indeed you hoped Britian was the champion of Somaliland, instead they are meeting Mr Yusuf the head of state of Somalia without any condition. I doubt they asked him about the North West.

 

The game is up.

[raadamiir]

^ LOL

 

WELL SAID.

[General Duke]

^^^Thus the fact that the security council which Britian is a powrful member supports the TFG is not important?

 

Nor the fact that a sitting British PM met with Yey is not important?

 

The difference between the TFG and Somalilan was highlighted in the starkest wy when the secesionist delegation was treated shabily at the AU conference in Adis Ababa.

 

Saxib you have no clue, again I am touched by your plight.

[General Duke]

^^Mr Oodweyne, the President of Somalia has met with Tony Blair the PM of the UK, what type of evidance would you like?

[NGONGE]

^^^ No need for all of that. If there were an official meeting it would have been reported on the 10 Downing Street site.

[Jabhad]

Don't you think, Mbagathi orphans here desperate for approval would have bombarded us with images of such meetings.