Security Key To Opening Italian Embassy In Mogadishu.

By Harun Maruf
Washington
31-August-2009

Stefano Dejak

The Italian Ambassador to the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, Stefano Dejak said opening his country's and the first Western Embassy in Mogadishu hinges on “security and procedural matters”.

Mr. Dejak said that no specific month is attached to the intention of opening Italian embassy in Mogadishu.

In June this year the two governments have agreed to resume full diplomatic relations and to open embassies in each other’s countries, immediately. Since then the Somali Ambassador to Italy and the European Union, former Prime Minister Nur Hassan Hussein “Nur Adde” had his credentials accepted by the Italian government. But the Italian embassy in Mogadishu remains to be opened.

“We need a staff, a visit to the location, all the things that an embassy need to function, as well as the provision of proper security measures which is not something that happens in one day in a place that is not entirely secure as is Mogadishu.

The procedural matters and issues pertaining to security are tantamount because we don’t want to be singled out as a target, he added.

In an interview with VOA Somali Service he stressed that Italy is already the only country in the EU having dedicated Ambassador notified to the TFG of Somalia. Mr. Dejak has been holding the position for two years.

The Italian Ambassador backed the current government describing it “as the only hope that Somalis inside and abroad have”.

Dejak said the assistance his government gives to Somalia is considerable. “For every Euro that the European Commission spends on Somalia, 14% comes from Italian tax payers.”

The Italian government, a former colonial power of Southern Somalia delivers assistance to Somalia directly, bilateral or mostly through multi-lateral organizations such the UN and European Commission and the AU.

Mr. Dejak said that between 2005 and 2009, Italy has devolved to Somalia 46 million Euros, out of which over 20 million Euro in the last two years. Italy has also spent 19 million Euros on health and governance during the last two years and about eight million in emergency aid and food distribution within the last year. There is about 10 million Euros in 2008/09 for the Somali Security Sector, including support for African Union Mission in Somalia.

Last May the Italian government shipped 40 tons of medical supplies to Mogadishu which Mr. Dejak said was agreed with the Somali government to distribute to all hospitals in the capital regardless of who controls it.

“Humanitarian aid does not make a distinction between the good and evil, and I think one should respect the TFG for that choice. That was given to all hospitals in Mogadishu regardless whether they are in Daynile or in Medina or in Karan, because somebody who needs medical assistance does not come under a flag, it comes as a human being, as a Somali.

Although Italy has colonized the Southern parts of Somalia, many Somali politicians blame the Rome government of taking a back seat in playing a tangible role in stabilizing the country in the same way Britain and France do regarding their former colonies, i.e. Sierra Leone, Central Africa Republic and Chad among others, respectively. The Italian Ambassador denied this saying his government sent peace keepers to the country as part of the failed United Nations Mission in Somalia (UNISOM) in 1993.

“I don’t agree with that, however, the past, present and future fate of Somalia first and foremost is in their hands. The international community is trying to help as best it can, Italy is a member of the international community. To put the blame of failure on one country and on the international community alone will be a mistake and it will be a repeat of what we have seen for the past 20 years.

After a visit by the Somali Prime Minister to Italy in early June, the Italian government has agreed to recognize the Somalia passport and to issue visa stamps to Somali passport holders. Italy is also a major target for large influx of immigrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea.

The EU this week intends to unveil plans to increase resettlement for the immigrants from poor countries, many of them Somalis. The effort is said to be aimed at decreasing the number of people risking their lives through dangerous boat trips.

Mr. Dejak said the Italian government is trying to adopt to the amount of the flows that are coming to its coast within EU frame. He said most of Somalis coming to Italy are dreaming, rather than to stay Italy, to go to another country where they can enjoy grants and social security benefits and possibly even easier asylum laws than Italy has.

“It is rather a point of passage, so it is important for Italy to cooperate fully and we are doing that to a greater extent with our partners, this is an EU problem not an Italian problem alone, and it can be supported only through EU cooperation.

Source: VOA, August 31, 2009