For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE 0012/2008
Thursday, May 08, 2008
UN Special Representative pleased about Somali reconciliation talks
Mr Ould-Abdallah said he was happy for
He added: “This is a clear indication that Somalis are willing to respect their commitments when they believe in what they are doing.”
The SRSG said he was certain that all sides would work seriously and conscientiously towards making the meeting a success for
“Making peace is more difficult than making war,” he said. “You make peace primarily with your adversaries, not with your friends.
Mr Ould-Abdallah expressed his belief that all Somalis, including those in the Diaspora, wanted to work towards peace and security for
“We should allow them to meet without outside interference and come to an understanding,” he said.
The meeting, which will be attended by seven delegates from each party, is expected to help advance the agenda for peace and will then be enlarged by a further fifteen participants from each side.
“The overall objective of this meeting is to prepare the ground for a peaceful and brotherly relationship between Somalis and to initiate the first step towards real stability, true peace and sincere reconciliation based on forgiveness,” said Mr Ould-Abdallah.
The SRSG added that progress in these areas should pave the way for concrete United Nations’ assistance for durable stability in
He thanked the Djibouti Government for its support for the preparation and convening of the meeting and for its generous hospitality.
Source: UNPOS, May 08, 2008