Dear Editor,

I was visiting Somaliland in 2004 and had meetings with the Mayor of Berbera, the minister of fishing and many other ministers and the President. I was there on a fact-finding mission with the ''idea'' of involving world finance groups in ''alliance'' with our company and affiliated companies to develop the ''fishing industry''. While we were there we traveled the country and I was ''amazed'' at the potential opportunities that ''existed'' at that time to the ''trained'' eye's of the entrepreneurial businessman that I am. I funded the ''venture'' privately and went to the effort of involving a small ''group'' of Dubai ''brokers'' (including but not limited to some ''influential'' expatriates) who's names can be supplied if requested, in my VISIONS for the development of the ''FISHING, AGRICULTURE, GEMSTONE, CEMENTWORKS AND VARIOUS OTHER INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISES'' that could have been conducted in alliance with the SOMALILAND GOVERNMENT AND ITS PEOPLE.

Unfortunately, I had to return to Australia for ''our xmas 2004/2005'' and it was then that (as I was warned by my advisor's in Australia), the ""SHAFT'''' took place. My Arabic/Australian counterpart's and others advised me that so many people have been to Somaliland to attempt to help the people of Somaliland in their plight to establish a stable and ''ORGANISED BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WHICH WILL PLACE THEM IN WORLD STANDING'', this would give them ''INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION'' that most of us now question, are we welcomed to be involved or, what are the real intention's of the movement's of the circle's that you mention in your article no.211 of your newspaper?.

I had the opportunity to meet with so many of your country's wonderful people and listen to their ''idea's for a better and prosperous Somaliland'' and EVERY ONE OF THEM told me that people come and look, make deal's with the minister's (but not necessarily the government), and they ''NEVER COME BACK''. I have had first hand ''EXPERIENCE'S'' of just that, and I put it down to the ''AUTHORITIES'' being so DESPERATE to get some movement in a situation that requires more ACCOUNTABILITY on behalf of the Somaliland citizen's by it's leader's , this is not to say that they are intentionally ''DEVIATE'S'' but they are sometimes led by the very people (broker's / opportunist's and EXPAT'S) that I have encountered as have many other's trying to develop relationships, some EX PAT'S are genuinely interested in their country's future direction and show it by participation, other's embarrass us and themselves and ultimately their people by openly showing their ''GREED'' to us in many way's such as ''THE CANVASSING OF MINISTER'S'' to gain underhand idly ''benefit's for themselves'' BEFORE WE EVEN OBTAIN THEIR TRUST AND FORM A RELATIONSHIP''.

I and other's like me who would be more than willing to ''CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY'' to the economy of Somaliland and it's people are the very reason that there is opportunities for the ''crook's'' because we have been ''BURNT", both emotionally and financially and now stand back to watch the ''TURMOIL THAT THIS TYPE OF GOVERNANCE CREATE'S''?

Regardless to what we have been involved in and ''OBSERVED" we are still ''believer's'' in your QUEST to being honest and accountable people in the WORLD'S playground of OPPORTUNITIES, and having said that are still seeking anybody of CREDIBLE STATUTE to being involved with our ambition's in Somaliland.

BARRY HORSMAN

"WESTMONT INTERNATIONAL LTD'' AUSTRALIA / DUBAI

westmont@bigpond.net.au

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