going nowhere until ann, page-45

re: puntland presidents conference dee59, garowe online's interpretaion is a little more anti RRS pinch of salt is an understatment
THE PRESIDENT of Somalia's semi-autonomous State of Puntland held a press conference in Bossaso on Wednesday to talk about his recent overseas trip and current affairs. President Mohamud "Adde" Muse said he started his month-long trip in Germany, where he met with doctors
for his routine medical examination, and made short stops in other European nations, including Belgium and Holland.

President Adde said his stop in Dubai, UAE, was part of his plan to attract foreign investment to Puntland. The President said a change has been made to the 2005 agreement between Puntland and Australian exploration company, Range Resources. Ltd. President Adde said the "exclusive rights" clause to explore all of Puntland had been removed from the original contract.

The Puntland leader said his administration is willing to welcome "other companies" to explore Puntland's untapped natural resources reserve, but that admitted most foreigners think Mogadishu is
synonymous with Somalia. "I informed them that there are parts of Somalia that are peaceful and governed, like Puntland," President Adde told reporters.

Speaking about recent comments from the Somaliland leadership, President Adde Muse said Puntland militiamen espaped with 3 battlewagons in the past and Puntland did not make any threats. On
June 24th, Somaliland Vice President Ahmed Yassin threatened Puntland with "military action" if 2 escaped militiamen and a battlewagon from Somaliland were not returned.

On the Islamic Courts' victory in Mogadishu last month, President Adde said he was "not concerned" because Puntland is independent of political movements in southern Somalia and has religious scholars and a united administration.

President Adde Muse held Wednesday's press conference in Bossaso, a bustling port city in northern Somalia. He is expected to arrive in Garowe, the Puntland capital, in the upcoming days.

Garowe Online News