Struggle not over yet
MARGARET WARNER: So, Secretary Cohen, do you think then that this Islamic courts movement wants to actually, what, support this transitional government that's been holed up in that town, Baidoa?
HERMAN COHEN: Well, the traditional government has some form of legitimacy. The U.N. has recognized them; the European Union has recognized them. Only the Americans have been a little reticent, and I think even now, from what I hear from the spokesman in the State Department today, that the U.S. is ready to recognize them.
So this represents legitimacy. And if they can negotiate with the Islamic courts, you might get the beginning of a national government, which would be great.
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 Herman Cohen
Former State Department Official
"This represents legitimacy. And if they can negotiate with the Islamic courts, you might get the beginning of a national government, which would be great."
| MARGARET WARNER: But, in the meantime, the warlords are still vowing that they're not going to give up without a fight. They certainly, this large clan in Mogadishu, had this big rally today. Do you foresee more fighting?
HERMAN COHEN: I do foresee more fighting. They're not going to give up, but this is the job of the United States right now, to put pressure on the Ethiopians, "Look, stop supporting these guys. This is only trouble."
MARGARET WARNER: You mean that money has been funneled through the Ethiopians, you believe, to the warlords?
HERMAN COHEN: And also there's the other element of Eritrea. Anything that Ethiopia supports, Eritrea goes against, so Eritrea is feeding arms to the Islamic courts. We should tell them, "Stop doing that now. Now is the time for talks instead of fighting."
But the main thing is to keep those warlords out of Mogadishu.
MARGARET WARNER: But some of them are in Mogadishu?
HERMAN COHEN: In the fringes. In the fringes, yes.
MARGARET WARNER: And, Professor, last word from you. Do you think we're going to see more fighting?
ABDI SAMATAR: I think there will be some skirmishes along the way, but I think this is an opportunity, both for Somalis, but more importantly for the international community to seize this moment and take these groups on their word.
They said they want to protect human rights. They want to invite all the international community to come to Mogadishu and look at every cranny and nook to be able to see if there are any terrorists. They want to cooperate. I think we should call their bluff and call them on their word; that's an opportunity which we have not seen for almost 15 years, and it's time to move on that one.
MARGARET WARNER: All right. Thank you, Professor Samatar, Secretary Cohen, thank you both.
HERMAN COHEN: You're welcome.
ABDI SAMATAR: Thank you, Margaret.
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