Washington, 19 January 2008 - President Dahir Rayale Kahin received Somaliland community in the United States at his hotel where he briefed them on Somaliland’s achievements and the current condition of the eastern part of the country especially Sool and Sanaag. He also briefed them on Somaliland’s foreign policy and the quest for recognition.

According to a press release by Mr. Sa’ad Sh. Osman Nur, Somaliland representative in the United States, the president after his briefing called on the Somaliland Community to contribute to the development of Somaliland.

The president answering to questions raised by the community said; “At present oil survey is being carried by foreign companies in the country. In addition to that we are waiting for a four hundred million dollar investment for the construction of different factors although we are not recognized internationally yet. On the Cement factory, we are planning to build a factory that will produce 5,000 tons instead of the 800 tons capacity of the all factory. We have planned to have a coal factory that will provide electricity to the whole country to preserver trees that are being burned for charcoal.”

The president and his delegation which includes Foreign Minister Abdullahi Mohamed Du’ale, MInistery of Health Abdi Haybe Mohamed, Ministry of Justice, Ahmed Ali Hassan, Assistant Minister of Planning, Ahmed Hashi Abdi, First Lady, Huda Barkhad Adam, and the president’s private secretary, Mr. Ahmed Mohamed Esse, who arrived at Dulles Airport on Saturday - after 7 days visit to the United Kingdom – visited historical places in and around Washington.

They visited Mount Vernon, the residence of the first US president, George Washington and his farm, the old city of Alexandria, the Potomac River, Abraham Lincoln’s Monument and the Vietnam War Memorial.

The president and his delegation were given a lunch of honour by the Assistant Secretary of State, Ms Jendayi Frazer at the State Department.

The lunch was attended by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Ministry of State, Director of East African Affairs, Head of Somaliland/Somalia bureau and other senior state department officials.

On January 14 th, the President and Jendayi Frazer began official talks between the two sides. The president and his delegation also met the Assistant Secretary and Defense for Africa, MS Theresa M. Whalan at the Pentagon.

The president also met and had discussions with the White House adviser for Africa, Mr. Bobby J. Pittman at his hotel.

Source: The Republican