SOMALIA: SOMALILAND ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002555

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/E

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL PGOV PTER SO
SUBJECT: SOMALIA: SOMALILAND ADMINISTRATION REQUESTS
ASSISTANCE

REF: NAIROBI 2527


1. On November 4, Embassy received a letter from the
Somaliland Administration President (text below) that
requests international community assistance in the wake of
the three October 29 suicide bombings in Hargeisa (reftel).
The letter solicits assistance in fighting terrorism,
including tracking and interdicting currency flows that
support it; institution building; technical assistance to
intelligence and law enforcement agencies; and information
exchange. Embassy has had difficulty in the days since the
attacks in establishing telephone contact with appropriate
counterparts in the Administration, but plans to explore
requests in more detail at earliest opportunity. Text below:


Your Excellencies,

On Wednesday October 29, 2008, International Terrorism struck
the heart and soul of our country, Somaliland. Using at
least three suicide car bombs, violent extremists attacked
our innocent citizens, the symbols of our democracy, the
United Nations offices and other key targets in our capital
city of Hargeisa. More than twenty innocent people of
different nationalities were killed in these senseless
terroristic attacks and dozens more were injured.

Despite its limited resources and capabilities, our
government immediately responded to help the victims and
quickly took all the necessary measures to thwart any further
attempts to destabilize our peace and stability.

Clearly, the timing of these violent terroristic acts
indicate that they were launched in order to disrupt and
derail our on-going internationally observed National Voter
Registration Process, a key democratic milestone achievement
for our country. But we, the government and people of
Somaliland, are determined not to allow the actions of these
terrorist thugs to defeat our infant democracy and stop our
desire and inspiration for peace and stability.

The tremendous outpouring of sympathy and solidarity from
members of the International Community in our moment of
national tragedy heartened our government and people. For
this, Somaliland is deeply grateful. Indeed, our pain and
tragedy is similar to the one inflicted upon the innocent
citizens of Washington DC, New York City, London, Madrid,
Bali and many other cities that fell victim to the violence
perpetrated by the same violent extremists.

It is, therefore, the conviction of the Government of
Somaliland that the threat of International Terrorism should
be addressed with full participation of all peace loving
nations through effective international, regional and
sub-regional cooperation. Taking into account that the fight
against terrorism takes place within the framework of respect
for all the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United
Nations, our government specifically appeals for your help
and cooperation in the following areas:


A. Mutual cooperation and legal assistance in order to
detect, freeze, and confiscate the funds that finance
terrorism and terrorism networks.

B.Access to the sources of technical and financial assistance
for institution building to meet the urgent need to combat
and eliminate terrorism.

C.Enhancing the readiness and capabilities of our first
responders, emergency management teams, intelligence and law
enforcement agencies through technical, financial and legal
assistance.

D.Exchange of information in order to find, deny safe haven
to, and bring to justice any person who supports, facilitates
and participates in acts of terrorism.

In the Spirit of joint effort and cooperation let us work
together to prevent and effectively defeat terrorism in all
its forms and manifestations.

Best regards,

Dahir Rayale Kahin
President, Republic of Somaliland
End text of letter
RANNEBERGER