Government expresses Disappointment With Djibouti

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Story Filed: Friday, June 16, 2000 2:53 PM EST

Somalia (Office Of The President Of Puntland State Of Somalia, June 16, 2000) - The Government of Puntland State Of Somalia expresses disappointment with the Djibouti authorities, who prematurely launched the so-called the "Final Phase of the Arta Conference" without waiting for the outcome of on-going Garowe public and Government consultation following the return of Puntland State delegation of Elders from Arta.

The hasty behavior and unrealistic agenda set out unilaterally by the Officials of the Djibouti Government in conducting Arta Conference will be detrimental to a free and peaceful environment for genuine national reconciliation.

The "Official Opening" of the political phase in a conference whose participants are Djibouti tourists of Somali origin without any consideration on part of the Djibouti Government to call upon and wait for the arrival of genuine representative delegates from various parts of Somalia, including Puntland State, indicate once again that the entire Arta exercise is a Djibouti show only in the name of a Somali National Reconciliation. Puntland State is aware of the fact that lists of delegates to Arta are compiled in Djibouti, not in Somalia.

The Government of Puntland State appeals to the Djibouti Leadership to be serious with Arta Conference and not to violate the democratic rights of Somalis to decide their fate in a free and fair environment without Djibouti imposition and interference.

Djibouti Government is urged to respect the legitimacy of the conference participants and expel tourists and Djibouti sightseers from the conference hall. It is required to wait for the arrival of genuine delegates to truly speak for their respective constituencies.

ISMAIL H. WARSAME Chief of Cabinet

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