The new
[interim] Somali president, Abdiqasim Salad Hasan, who is in Washington, USA,
was on Sunday night [10th September] interviewed by callers at Toronto's Voice
of Somali [as published] which is North America's biggest Somali radio station.
The president who appeared weary during the interview which lasted for 40 minutes,
answered questions asked by Somalis living in the USA and Canada. The
questions were mainly asked by people interested in the Somaliland and Puntland
regions. The
president began by saying that Somaliland and Puntland were a source of pride
to him due to the peace and security existing in the two regions. The
president denied reports that he had advocated the use of force against the two
regions during an interview with Egypt's 'Al-Ahram' newspaper. Mr
Abdiqasim Salad Hasan said the restoration of peace and reconciliation in Somalia
could only be achieved by peaceful means. "Somalis
have fought for 10 years. We are not ready for a repeat. We shall pursue dialogue",
said the president. The
president was asked by many callers how he could restore peace: A lecturer at
an American university said he would have wished to teach at Mogadishu university
if peace existed there.
"I urge you people living in the USA, and Canada, to do something for your country
and strive for it, since there are so many requirements. You people are indispensable
to your country", the president said.
According to reports the president is expected to visit various cities in North
America. | 
