articles of importance to range, page-22

You are right, my glass is half full because I remain hopefull of a successful outcome for all involved. I must admit, if the past is anything to go by, there will always be new issues to contend with.

To answer your question though, Sool and Sanaag regions were instrumental in the formation of Puntland and have strong clan ties. What lead to the change in allegeance was mostly political and from what I've read was not representative of the regions concerned.

Last Updated: Aug 2, 2009 - 4:18:17 PM

Somalia

Somalia: Puntland president urges TFG to avoid centralism
2 Aug 2, 2009 - 8:19:46 AM

Puntland President Abdirahman Farole
GAROWE, Somalia Aug 2 (Garowe Online) - The president of Puntland State of Somalia, Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, has urged the transitional federal government of Somalia to work on helping regions set up regional administrations as bedrock of future federal government of Somalia. The president said that his administration "is in talks with the TFG to discuss issues about the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia's work with Puntland."

"There are issues such as the misuse of the TFG's international legitimacy for political and financial purposes. This problem is compounded when a group tries to promote itself on the international community fora as the sole authority through which development and reconstruction assistance can be channelled for Somalia although such a group has neither the means nor the capability nd experience to undertake such a task . This has always been a perennial Somali problem. Puntland will never accept such a political deadlock," president Abdirahman Farole said.

The president was speaking at ceremony marking the 11th anniversary of Puntland State of Somalia held at Puntland Presidential Place in Garowe. He urged the international community to ensure that any assistance earmarked for Somalia be shared between the TFG, Somaliland and Puntland. "Puntland wants to remain part of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. The TFG ought to promote a bottom-up approach to nation building rather than top-down approach. It will be easier to conduct a referendum on a federal charter when all regions have their own administrations' " he said.

Analysts believe that Puntland president's remarks will not go down well with some members of the TFG who, before joining the TFG on the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia ticket, had campaigned against federalism for Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE