NGONGE Posted February 10, 2012 The House Of Commons debate on Somalia. The SL lobby was in flow. Here are some quotes that may annoy A&T (the SL government was telling the truth). Alun Michael (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op): What the Foreign Secretary says about the situation in Somalia is absolutely true, and his interest in it is greatly appreciated not only in this country but, I am sure, worldwide. Will he take the opportunity to clarify the situation with regard to Somaliland, about which there is sometimes misunderstanding? As he said, there has been no effective central Government in the former Somalia for more than 20 years, but there has been a very effective Government in Somaliland, albeit that it has not been recognised as a separate state. Will he take the opportunity to acknowledge that difference between the situation in the north and the south? Mr Hague: Yes, of course. The right hon. Gentleman has been a great expert on, and friend of, Somaliland for a long time, and we can indeed make that distinction. I spoke to the President of Somaliland last week to encourage him to come to the London conference, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development has visited Somaliland. We give it a lot of assistance in many ways and welcome the fact that it has become a more stable area within Somalia, and we will welcome its participation at the London conference. I will come back to Somaliland later. That is what the Somalia conference will aim to do. We have invited Government and multilateral organisations that are active and influential on Somalia; representatives from Somalia, including the transitional federal institutions; the Presidents of Puntland and Galmudug; and representatives of Aluh Sunnah wal Jamaah. We welcome the participation of the President of Somaliland, with the experience that Somaliland can provide of peacebuilding in the region. Richard Ottaway (Croydon South) (Con): I would be interested to hear from the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for North West Norfolk (Mr Bellingham), about the two-state solution that was mentioned by the right hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Alun Michael). I have to confess that I have an open mind on that question, but I find it slightly ironic that a Welsh MP who believes in the United Kingdom should be calling for such a separation in Somalia. Alun Michael: Will the hon. Gentleman give way? Richard Ottaway: Yes—I asked for that. Alun Michael: In Wales we believe in the value of being part of the United Kingdom as well as having certain devolved matters. Were that choice available to the Somalilanders, it would be acceptable, but it should be their choice. Richard Ottaway: My comment, made in jest, has produced a serious response from the right hon. Gentleman. Countries that function well should stay together, but those that do not function well obviously do not want to know about each other. I would be interested to hear the Minister’s views on that matter. Will the Minister give comfort to President Silanyo and those who have supported him in his difficult decision by agreeing that the conference communiqué should contain explicit references to Somaliland that welcome his participation; note Somaliland’s achievements in building peace and democracy; draw attention to the relevance of the Somaliland experience to the problem of securing peace in Somalia; note the assistance through humanitarian aid that I have mentioned; thank it for its co-operation in the fight against terrorism and piracy; and encourage Somaliland’s wider economic interaction? My second point is that I know that the Minister has already welcomed one initiative, namely the establishment of the Somaliland Development Corporation. It is being established because of the lack of recognition that makes involvement in international trade and business difficult. It will be launched on 22 February, the day before the conference, which Ministers will host. The point of the corporation is to facilitate international investment in Somaliland and economic interaction for the benefit of the Somaliland people. As an unrecognised state, it is isolated. Despite its extraordinary achievements in stability and democracy, international donors cannot deal directly with its Government, and foreign investors face uncertainty about whether contracts—the basis of secure business—can be enforced. The point of the corporation is to establish an entity to circumvent that problem. Indeed, I hope that it might lead the Foreign Office, through our trade arrangements, to be able to underpin some of the potential for business development and trade with Somaliland, which is difficult at present. The development corporation will deal with donors such as Governments, aid agencies and international financial institutions; individuals, including enhancing the contribution that is made by many members of the Somaliland diaspora, as the Foreign Secretary rightly said; philanthropists and foundations; and foreign companies that wish to invest for profit. The founding directors are co-operating with the Crown Agents on the provision of banking services, and the intention is to develop a business plan with aims and objectives in the short, medium and longer term that will be available on the corporation’s website. The plan would be influenced by the development priorities of the Somaliland Government, the decisions of the two boards and the Somaliland development corporation trust. The launch on 22 February will show the confidence of the Somaliland Government in engaging with business and economic development as well as being a participant at the table at the conference. I particularly welcome the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Mogadishu a few days ago and his appointing an ambassador to that country. That signals confidence that progress can be made, and confidence is enormously important, given that for 21 years there has been none in that regard. The appointment did raise a frisson of concern in Somaliland, which thought that in some ways this might symbolise a belief on the British Government’s part that diplomatic channels should be concentrated through that avenue. I was grateful to the Minister for his Department’s confirming that the arrangements for Somaliland will continue to be made through the deputy ambassador to Ethiopia, who has specific responsibility for relations with Somaliland. The rest can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201212/cmhansrd/cm120209/debtext/120209-0002.htm#12020952000002 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SayidSomal Posted February 10, 2012 I have said before and I'll say it again;- that elusive recognition is under lock and key in Qardho under the seat of the King - not with queen of England under a file in that vast palace of hers. And all you have to do in order to attain it - is come to Qardho and seat down under acacia tree and sip camel milk favoured tea whilst cracking jokes about clans. P.S. the highlighted bits of your quotes are from not relevant and out of context Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NGONGE Posted February 10, 2012 ^^ Will any of the Qardho caaqils happen to be passing London on the evening of the 22nd? We can find them an Acacia tree in Kew Gardens or something. War ana waxan ku edhi there is another stitch up coming but we don't know who will get done this time. The only consolation for any worried person is that it could never be anyone worse than Sheikh Hotel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SayidSomal Posted February 10, 2012 Subxaanallaah! war ninyahow isku xishood. Boqortooda will not be found anywhere near that - but they will send their najis-najis dhalay of a man more respectively known to you as the imaam to deal with other najis-najis dhalays. Jokes aside - the day of infamy has already passed (if you remember my post on that subject) - SL is already recognised by the British government albeit by the back door. "conservatives" and "batting" and all that unsavoury british behaviour to use cricket terminologies if you don't believe log on to the british embassy in addis ababa website and their other embassy in nairobi and you shall see what i am talking about. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ANWAR Posted February 10, 2012 To Puntlanders talking about SL, HOW funny Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mario B Posted February 10, 2012 Mr Hague: Yes, of course. The right hon. Gentleman has been a great expert on, and friend of, Somaliland for a long time, and we can indeed make that distinction. I spoke to the President of Somaliland last week to encourage him to come to the London conference, and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development has visited Somaliland. We give it a lot of assistance in many ways and welcome the fact that it has become a more stable area within Somalia, and we will welcome its participation at the London conference. ------------- ...more stable area within Somalia ... Can someone inform the good Secretary that the secessionist are killing unionist in their 'peacefull enclave' ? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
