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U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan Friday welcomed the development
that the Somalia National Peace Conference has moved into
its second phase, and hoped it paves the way for substantive
inter-Somalian talks about the political future of the African
country.
A statement,
issued here through Annan's spokesman, said, "The Secretary-General
was encouraged by the news that the Somalia National Peace
Conference has moved into its second phase.
He welcomes
this development and hopes that it paves the way for substantive
talks among representatives of all sectors of Somali society
about the political future of their country.
" The
U.N. chief "also hopes that it will lead to an agreement on
the formation of a transitional arrangement that would safeguard
Somalia's sovereignty and prepare the ground for a lasting
settlement," the statement said.
"The
Secretary-General urges all Somalis to join and support the
Djibouti peace initiative."
"The Secretary-General
takes this opportunity to commend the tireless efforts of
President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti to help bring about
a political resolution to the Somalia conflict," the statement
said.
"He reiterates
his support for the process and looks forward to a successful
conclusion of the deliberations in Djibouti." Somalia has
had no central government since 1991 opposition politicians
joined forces to oust President Mohamed Siad Barre.
They then
turned on each other, carving the country into militia- controlled
fiefdoms.
But if
the peace talks succeeded, the warlords could find their power
eroded.
An initiative,
proposed by President Guelleh, calls on the warlords to turn
their factions into political parties, commit to a complete
and verifiable disarmament, submit to the primacy of law and
respect the creation of a police force.
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