Michael E. Ranneberger,   a U.S. diplomat on Thursday dismissed widespread criticism of Somaliland and the “recently concluded national reconciliation conference.

NAIROBI, September 21, 2007- Michael E. Ranneberger, a U.S. diplomat on Thursday dismissed widespread criticism of Somaliland and the “recently concluded national reconciliation conference”, saying it represented a "milestone" in the country's attempt to form its first viable government since 1991.

Human Rights Watch recently accused Abdillahi Yusuf's government of widespread violations of the laws of war. Ethiopian troops and insurgents were also accused of violations.

About half of Mogadishu's population has fled the city, and U.N. officials have warned of a grave humanitarian crisis, including famine.

While fighting in Somalia has mostly been confined to the capital, clashes have broken out in the country's north in recent days. According to news reports, troops from the semiautonomous region of Puntland, Yusuf's stronghold have battled over disputed Somaliland territory.

Puntland officials accused Islamic movement militias of backing Somaliland, but U.S. diplomat Michael E. Ranneberger dismissed that accusation.

Source: Washington Post