Over the past few days we have been reading a series of statements by either the Nairobi based UN offices or its propaganda wing, the IRIN on incidents, some of which has no foundation whatsoever.

First of all, the IRIN story about a British vessel hijacked by pirates off the coasts of Puntland State holds no water. The IRIN story is either a fabrication or issued to mislead the international public opinion.

Secondly, UN offices in Nairobi have been following developments in Puntland State of Somalia, and knew full well that the administration was committed to restoring Law & Order throughout Puntland State territories.

Consistent with that reality and in pursuit of the Government policy for maintaining safety and security for all is also in the vital interest of the operations of the international organizations including the Nairobi based UN, the source of these hasty press releases and unwise statements with regard to Puntland State situation.

Let us therefore put the record straight:

1. There was no problem in accessing to Boosaaso, Qardho, Garoowe and Galkayo, the major towns of Puntland State by both local and international agencies. Recent series of missions and visits by high-level UN, EC, INGO and USA representatives including the UN Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia to Puntland State encountered no obstacles in inter-acting with these communities, and thus proves the UN statements on the Puntland State case doubly misleading.

2. Inaction on the part of the international organizations in delivering humanitarian, rehabilitation and developmental projects here in a transparent, accountable and politically neutral fashion is to be blamed at least in the case of Puntland.

Ismail H. Warsame

Chief of Cabinet

plpresidency@yahoo.com 

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