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Somaliland Delegation Meets With Los Angeles Board Of Supervisors Official And The World Affairs Council
On Tuesday, October 07, 2003, the Somaliland Ministerial delegates touring the United States met with Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, at her office located in the historical downtown Los Angeles area.
Los Angeles County is the largest county in the United States of America and is composed of 88 cities with a population over 9 million. Five elected officials govern the County, and are called County Los Angeles Board of Supervisor. The current chair of the Board of Supervisors is Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.
Mohamed Hashi, Somaliland Minister of Commerce and Industry, provided a report on natural resources, which have currently been identified in Somaliland as being available in commercial quantities. In addition, Minister Mohamed gave an overview of Somaliland investment opportunities, Somaliland laws and regulations pertaining to business, investors and industrial regulations. He went on to describe the framework that has been established to facilitate and encourage investors in Somaliland.
During the meeting, Adna Aden Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, gave an overview of the History of the Somaliland struggle, and current political status of the country. Briefing the Supervisor about Somaliland achievement and success, Minister Adna proudly stated that the accomplishments occurred due to the strong self-reliance and will of the people; people who were determined to succeed, and refused to fail, no matter how hard the obstacle were. "That is the Somaliland, I am proud of; that is the Somaliland I would like you to visit; that is the country in Africa where success is the story of the day," Minister Adna stated.
Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, who grew up during the era of the American Civil Right Movement, was impressed with the speed of Somaliland recovery, and the self reliance of the its people with minimal international support. During the meeting, representatives from SOPRI were present, such as Saeed Maygag Samater, and many issues pertaining to Somaliland and the peoples of Los Angeles County were discussed. Some of the issues that discussed during the meeting were:
- To develop a relationship between Somaliland and the County of Los Angeles
- For the County of Los Angeles to assist Somaliland in the area of Health and Education
- For Supervisor Brathwaite Burke to assist Somalilanders with other California Political bodies in educating and raising awareness about the Somaliland situation and our self-reliance
World Affair Council
The Los Angeles World Affair Council is a major think tank, which promotes greater understanding of current global issues and their impact on the people of Southern California. The Council promotes these understandings by bringing authoritative, influential figures in world affairs together in Los Angeles in an open forum where ideas and views are freely expressed.
Some of the former honorary and keynote speakers who have come before the council this year were:
1. His Excellency President Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan who addressed the council on June 27, 2003
2. His Excellency Lal Krishna Advani, the Deputy Prime Minister of India who addressed the council on June 11, 2003
3. His Excellency President Jose' Maria Aznar Lopez, the President of Government of Spain who addressed the council on July 10, 2003
For the 50th Anniversary Gala of the Council, which is on Tuesday, December 2, 2003, His Excellency Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations will be the Keynote addressee, with special remarks given by the Honorable John Negroponte, United States Representative to the United Nations.
Commentator Larry King will be the Master of Ceremonies.
The Los Angeles World Affair Council hosted an honorary luncheon held at the exclusive club of California Club for the Somaliland visiting ministerial delegation. This was another wonderful event with great success. Each Somaliland visiting Minister addressed the council, and was received with great interest. Minister Mohammed addresses the World Affair Council, and emphasized the importance of investing in Somaliland. The Minister went on to discuss issues regarding rebuilding the nation. He informed the council the incentives that Somaliland Administration has made available to investors and opportunities to invest in the country. Minister Mohammed welcomed individuals and organizations to do business in Somaliland.
However, one must be aware that Somaliland has completed the phase of rehabilitation and is now in the development phase, which includes additional infrastructure rebuilding. We are inviting the international business community to form partnerships with us as we continue this very important development phase of our country.
Minister Mohammed thanked the council and expressed his appreciation. Minister Adna Aden addressed the World Affair Council about historical facts of Somaliland. The Minister explained in detail the multiple obstacles Somaliland has striven to overcome while rebuilding the destroyed infrastructure with minimal international support. Minister Adna Aden expressed her gratitude to all Californians and to the council for their hospitality and willingness to listen and be interested in the plight of Somaliland.
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