VOA interview with the Somaliland President

President of the Republic of Somaliland, Mr Dahir Rayale Kahin paid a courtesy visit to VOA Washington headquarters and was interviewed by the VOA Somali section on 19 January 2008.

Q: Mr President, what positive outcome can we say came from your visit to the United States of America so far?

A: First of all, if it is a political or economic question, in economic terms Somaliland is a peaceful and stable country which needs assistance from the developed nations of the world. This is one of the issues we discussed with senior members of the United States and British governments. However, we didn’t expect to receive everything we desire, but I am certain that we have left a positive impression and await future developments with a great deal of optimism.

Q: Mr President, are there any concrete result from your discussions with both the United States and British governments?

A: I am certain that Somaliland’s issue has been welcomed and taken aboard by both governments, but results will come at their own time. I believe that people must communicate face to face, and I am certain by engaging both the United States and the British government we have made them aware of the facts in Somaliland, and have removed any misconceptions. I know that we have presented our case to both governments and we are certain of a positive outcome.

Q: Was the question of recognition for Somaliland an issue presented?

A: It was one of our requests.

Q: The State Department has stated in a press briefing that nothing has changed in terms of the United States policy to Somaliland, which is that Somaliland is part of Somalia. How do you see this?

A; First of all, this comment was made by a spokesman , and it is not an official communiqué issued by the State Department, however this comment is true, because when we went to the State Department yesterday we were not given an automatic recognition, but the issue was discussed and a final decision was not reached at the talks. So, it is correct, nothing has changed in terms of the United States policy towards Somaliland.

Q: Therefore, Mr President, are you saying that there are new developments in the works?

A: No, however let us see what the future brings. I am certain that our requests have been heard, the discussions have been free and frank, and discussed how we and the United States can work together and see what the future will hold in regard to the present situation.

Q: Mr President, when we take a deep look at the comments of the State Department spokesman, along with your meetings with the White House Security Council, the Pentagon, the State Department and the USAID, there is speculation that there are other issues on the table between Somaliland and the United States which are not in the public domain?

A: This is the first time that I have met with members of the United States administration its many departments and other government officers, but, I was not under the impression that we will attain all that we had hoped for in our first meetings. What I can say is that this the beginning of our engagements, and I am hopeful that it will not be the last, but the first of many to come, which will eventually yield concrete results. However, at this time, I am not prepared to go into any details.

Q: If the governments keep stating that they see Somaliland as part of Somalia, are you prepared to talk with any entity in the south regarding the question of recognition?

A: Firstly, I encourage the politicians in Somalia to restore peace and stability to their country, and maybe they can achieve what we have achieved in Somaliland, but considering the current situation, if we had to talk to anyone, who can we talk to? Even on simple things like being good neighbours, who is there that we can talk to, given the current situation, as things stand in the south?

Q: But, discussion at a senior level are possible?

A: No, because Somaliland is an independent country and no other country can have any claims to it. Somaliland and Somalia are two nations, and the union was one of desire and not one of claim, and let me remind you that it was Somaliland who championed the ill fated union in the first place and 40 odd years later its Somaliland who has revoked the ill fated union.

Q: Most recently, through the media, you and President Abdillahi Yusuf exchanged strong words with each other. We’ve heard that you both flew [bound for London] in the same flight from Addis Ababa. Did you speak to each other and if so what did you discuss?

 A: Yes, it’s true that we flew in the same flight from Addis to London. We simply greeted each other and that was all. We did not talk or discuss anything because firstly, in the middle of a flight is not the place to hold discussions and secondly, Abdillahi Yusuf was very ill and was travelling for medical treatment to London.

Ahmed Kheyre contributed to this report

Original source: VOA

Source: Somaliland Times

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