SOMALIA: LETTER FROM TFG PRESIDENT YUSUF TO THE

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002349 SIPDIS SIPDIS LONDON PASS TO A/S FRAZER DEPT FOR S/ES-CR, S/ES-O, AF/E, AND NSC WASHDC E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL SO SUBJECT: SOMALIA: LETTER FROM TFG PRESIDENT YUSUF TO THE INTERNATIONAL CONTACT GROUP REF: NAIROBI 2326 ¶1. Per reftel, we followed up with the Somalia Embassy in Nairobi and received the attached letter from TFG President Yusuf to the International Contact Group meeting in London. ¶2. Text of letter: Honorable Representatives of the Contact Group: I wish to express my appreciation for the support of the International Contact Group for achieving peace and stability in Somalia. Though I could not be with you, I have sent my Foreign Minister to demonstrate the importance I attach to this meeting. I would like to take this opportunity to assure the Contact Group of the following: I and the entire Transitional Federal Government are working extremely hard to promote national reconciliation. In support of that process, I have been meeting constantly with all of the clans and sub-clans in Somalia, including Hawiye sub-clans. I believe that all Somalis who reject violence and terrorism should participate in the reconciliation process. I fully support the holding of the National Reconciliation Congress as scheduled in mid-June. In that regard, I support the efforts of Ali Mahdi and his National Reconciliation Committee to hold the Congress, with the selection of delegates to be made by the clans themselves through the 4.5 formula as laid-out by the independent National Reconciliation Committee. In order to hold the Congress, funding is urgently needed from the international community. I appeal to all of you to provide the necessary support immediately. In addition, I wish to emphasize that my government will continue to work closely with international organizations and institutions to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The assassination attempt against Prime Minister Ali Mohamed Gedi and other violence that is occurring in Mogadishu reflect the efforts of terrorists and radicals to disrupt the Somali reconciliation process. We are determined that these efforts will not be allowed to succeed. With the support of the Contact Group, national reconciliation will marginalize these radicals and terrorists. We will not be deterred from the goal of achieving national reconciliation and call on the Contact Group to demonstrate its support for the legitimate institutions of the Transitional Federal Government. I wish to thank the Government of Ethiopia and the African Union, particularly through the deployment of Ugandan forces for AMISOM, for their continuing support. I look forward to remaining in close contact with all of you as we work together to pursue our shared goal of building peace and stability in Somalia. Please accept the assurance of my highest esteem and consideration. Signed June 6, 2007 by H.E. President Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed Transitional Federal Government of the Republic of Somalia END TEXT RANNEBERGER