Own Correspondent.TF.SF NAIROBI,Reporting from Nairobi, Kenya -- Bolstered by a meeting today between Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Somalia's transitional president, the Obama administration is embarking on the most direct U.S. engagement in the Horn of Africa nation since 18 American peacekeepers were killed there in 1993, diplomats from both countries say.Wrapping up her first stop of a seven-nation Africa tour, Clinton met Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed at the U.S. Embassy in Kenya to discuss ways the U.S. can provide additional financial and military support to help the fragile government defeat an insurgency of Islamic extremists.Clinton is the highest ranking U.S. official ever to hold a one-on-one mee
ting with the head of Somalia's 5-year-old government. The me
eting was part of a new approach by the Obama administration to restore formal diplomatic ties with Somalia and take a more active role in assisting the U.N.-recognized government.Though American humanitarian aid to Somalia has been substantial in recent years and it funds most of an African peacekeeper force there, Washington until recently funneled most of its assistance through the U.N. or African Union.In addition to the high-profile meeting with Clinton, which Somali officials said would give Ahmed's beleaguered government a much-needed political boost, the Obama administration sent 40 tons of weapons and munitions to Somalia's government earlier this year when insurgents threatened to overthrow it. The U.S. is also providing mili
tary training to government soldiers and has donated more than $1 million in direct assistance, officials said.
"We believe this government is the best hope we've had in quite some time for a return to stability and the possibility of progress in Somalia," Clinton said today during a joint news conference with Ahmed."It's fair to say that President Obama and I want to expand and extend our support for the [transitional government,]" Clinton said.During the Bush administration, the U.S. largely bypassed the Somali government and limited its engagement to counter-terrorism efforts...more..http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-clinton-africa7-2009aug07,0,5499475.story
ting with the head of Somalia's 5-year-old government. The me
eting was part of a new approach by the Obama administration to restore formal diplomatic ties with Somalia and take a more active role in assisting the U.N.-recognized government.Though American humanitarian aid to Somalia has been substantial in recent years and it funds most of an African peacekeeper force there, Washington until recently funneled most of its assistance through the U.N. or African Union.In addition to the high-profile meeting with Clinton, which Somali officials said would give Ahmed's beleaguered government a much-needed political boost, the Obama administration sent 40 tons of weapons and munitions to Somalia's government earlier this year when insurgents threatened to overthrow it. The U.S. is also providing mili
tary training to government soldiers and has donated more than $1 million in direct assistance, officials said."We believe this government is the best hope we've had in quite some time for a return to stability and the possibility of progress in Somalia," Clinton said today during a joint news conference with Ahmed."It's fair to say that President Obama and I want to expand and extend our support for the [transitional government,]" Clinton said.During the Bush administration, the U.S. largely bypassed the Somali government and limited its engagement to counter-terrorism efforts...more..http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-clinton-africa7-2009aug07,0,5499475.story
Clinton Vo
ws Boost For Somali Government
ws Boost For Somali Government NAIROBI (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged strong support for Somalia's fragile government Thursday and vowed to take action against Eritrea if it did not stop "unacceptable" interference in the country.
Clinton held talks in Kenya with Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, whose administration is battling hardline Islamist militants including the al Shabaab insurgent group.
"It is fair to say that President Obama and I want to expand and extend our support for the transitional federal government," she said later at a joint news conference alongside Ahmed.Western security agencies say Somalia is a haven for extremists plotting attacks in the region and beyond.Australian police said this week they had uncovered a plot to attack a Sydney army base by men they said had links to al Shabaab, which Washington says is al Qaeda's proxy in Somalia.Clinton said the presence of "terrorist elements" in the turbulent country posed a th
reat to Africa and beyond -- and she warned neighbouring Eritrea to stop meddling in Somali affairs."With respect to Eritrea, we are making it very clear that their actions are unacceptable ... and we intend to take action if they do not cease," she said."It is long past time for Eritrea to cease and desist its support for al Shabaab and to start being a productive, rather than a destabilizing, factor."Eritrea routinely denies allegations of supporting rebels in Somalia.Ahmed said Eritrea still had an opportunity to "correct" its behaviour. The United States has offered military aid to his administration in recent months, including more than 40 tonnes of weapons and ammunition, as it fights al Shabaab.Clinton said Washington had given $150 million (89.2 million pounds) to Somalia over the past two years, and would provide additional funds...more..http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/08/06/world/international-uk-somalia-usa-clinton.html
Clinton held talks in Kenya with Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, whose administration is battling hardline Islamist militants including the al Shabaab insurgent group.
"It is fair to say that President Obama and I want to expand and extend our support for the transitional federal government," she said later at a joint news conference alongside Ahmed.Western security agencies say Somalia is a haven for extremists plotting attacks in the region and beyond.Australian police said this week they had uncovered a plot to attack a Sydney army base by men they said had links to al Shabaab, which Washington says is al Qaeda's proxy in Somalia.Clinton said the presence of "terrorist elements" in the turbulent country posed a th
reat to Africa and beyond -- and she warned neighbouring Eritrea to stop meddling in Somali affairs."With respect to Eritrea, we are making it very clear that their actions are unacceptable ... and we intend to take action if they do not cease," she said."It is long past time for Eritrea to cease and desist its support for al Shabaab and to start being a productive, rather than a destabilizing, factor."Eritrea routinely denies allegations of supporting rebels in Somalia.Ahmed said Eritrea still had an opportunity to "correct" its behaviour. The United States has offered military aid to his administration in recent months, including more than 40 tonnes of weapons and ammunition, as it fights al Shabaab.Clinton said Washington had given $150 million (89.2 million pounds) to Somalia over the past two years, and would provide additional funds...more..http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/08/06/world/international-uk-somalia-usa-clinton.html
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