Text of report by Somali newspaper 'Xog-Ogaal' on 20th March

Reports from Addis Ababa say most of the Ethiopian-allied Somali faction leaders are currently in Ethiopia. It has been confirmed that Gen [Abdullahi Noor] Gabyow [chairman of Somali National Movement], Umar Hashi [from Hawadleh clan, leader of United Somali Congress branch in Hiran Region], Col Shaargadud [chairman of Rahaweyn Resistance Army], Muhammad Dheere [Mogadishu politician], Ahmad Shaykh Ali Buraleh [chairman of Somalia National Front splinter group] and other members are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Col Abdullahi Yusuf [president of Puntland state], a close friend and a trusted ally of Ethiopia, on his way back from Libya, had spent two days in Addis Ababa where he held talks with the Somali faction leaders.

It has not yet been established why the Somali faction leaders are gathering in Addis Ababa at a time when a Somali national reconciliation conference is being organized in Djibouti.

The only Ethiopian-allied Somali faction leader who is not currently in Addis Ababa is Musa Sudi Yalahow [Mogadishu politician opposed to Ali Mahdi and Aydid].

Source: 'Xog-Ogaal', Mogadishu, in Somali 20 Mar 00 p 3