Press Release: Puntland Supports new US two track Policy

[General Duke]

Puntland Supports the new US "Two-track" Somalia Engagement Policy.

26. september 2010 

 

 

PUNTLAND STATE OF SOMALIA

MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

PRESS RELEASE

 

Sunday, September 26, 2010

 

The government of the Puntland State of Somalia welcomes the statement by the US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Ambassador Johnnie Carson during his September 24, 2010 joint press conference at the United Nations General Assembly with P.J. Crawley, US Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs unveiling the United States’ new “two-track” Somalia engagement policy. The government of Puntland appreciates this new and pragmatic approach which we think better reflects the current political reality in the country as well as how best the long lasting present quagmire can be ended. The TFG’s glaring lack of capacity to fulfill its mandate by upholding the charter, fostering national reconciliation, embracing and encouraging the constitutional development process, and fighting and defeating violent extremist groups can no longer be ignored.

 

This new policy will not only be viewed as a strategic reward of the commitment to peace and institutional governance chosen by the people of Puntland and Somaliland, it stands also, if vigorously pursued, to create demonstrable incentives significant enough to entice the rest of Somalia to appreciate the fruits of peaceful state building, adherence to the rule of law, good governance and the rejection of the kind of anarchic tendencies that encourage terrorism, piracy and similar criminal activities.

 

Puntland State stands ready to work with the government of the United States and the rest of the international community in creating a terror-free, peaceful and democratic Somalia at peace with herself and with the rest of the international community including our neighbors. The United States’ new engagement policy will most certainly help us move closer to the attainment of this much cherished albeit heretofore elusive goal. Puntland will cooperate with the international community in particular, the United States, the EU, the United Nations, the AU, the OIC, the LAS and IGAD among others in the search for more effective ways of rebuilding and strengthening the federal institutions in Somalia. To this end, we are ready to, if necessary, provide to both the most essential international agencies and key transitional federal institutions with safe and operational office space inside Puntland for as long as needed.

 

Moreover the government of Puntland will spare no effort to do everything possible to ensure the success of this new American policy toward Somalia and calls on the rest of Somalia as well as the international community to welcome this fresh approach by the US government.

 

Finally, the government of Puntland welcomes and deeply appreciates Ambassador Carson’s strong and unambiguous support for Somali unity, national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

END