President Faroole gives Press Conference in India

[Carafaat]

Puntland State has held three successful elections in a peaceful manner.

 

Allow me to take this opportunity to express my sympathy to the families of hostages taken by

Somali

pirates. Our Government is committed to do its utmost to safely release hostages held by pirates in our area, although most pirates have relocated

outside of Puntland jurisdiction

.

Puntland Government

strongly and consistently rejects ransom payments as the primary factor fuelling piracy attacks.

 

More than 3 million people live in Puntland.

 

Puntland hosts over 400,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) scattered across Puntland, fleeing from southern conflict. It is an economic and social burden hosting such huge IDP population, who share with the host community access to employment, water, education and health. Puntland respects the human rights of all people. However, there are some subversive elements disguising as IDPs who are involved in activities to destabilize Puntland, including acts of terrorism.

The geographic location has made Puntland particularly vulnerable to piracy attacks.

 

 

South-central Somalia has been plagued by contagious violence, warlordism and general lawlessness since the state collapse of 1991.

 

In addition to human suffering of the hostages, piracy activities in the region have impacted the cost of goods, as freight and insurance premiums increased, thereby adversely impacting local economies in Puntland

 

Speech full of facts.

[General Duke]

He invited Indian companies to participate in the exploration and sought New Delhi's cooperation for cha rting out exploration blocks and training Somalis in the petroleum sector.

 

The Puntland region is unique — it seeks unity of the Somali people and adheres to a federal system of government unlike the secessionist region of Somaliland to its west. Puntland is not trying to obtain international recognition as a separate nation.

The HunduTimes.....