European officials met in Brussels on Wednesday to take stock of
the situation in Somalia and coordinate their positions prior to a
meeting of the International Contact Group on Somalia in Nairobi on
Friday.
The meeting of foreign ministers of European members of the
International Contact Group was called by German Foreign Minister
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose country took over the rotating
European Union (EU) presidency on January 1.
"It has to be our objective to do our utmost to ensure that
developments in Somalia lead to stabilization, lead in a positive
direction," Steinmeier told a press conference after the
meeting.
European members of the contact group are Britain, Italy,
Sweden, Norway plus the EU presidency and the European Commission.
The full International Contact Group also includes the United
States and Tanzania.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told the same press
conference that the international community faces a "dramatic
situation" in Somalia after the military intervention of Ethiopia
at the invitation of the Somali transitional government.
"The contact group could play a role by being united on some key
principles -- that includes (unity) across the Atlantic and with
parties in the region," he said.
He added that the contact group has a role to play both
politically and from the humanitarian point of view.
He also sees the situation as a "window of opportunity to take
the process of national reconciliation in Somalia forward."
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt stressed the importance of
the political process although a peacekeeping mission might also be
necessary.
"If you talk about bringing in a force without a political
process, I think that's a recipe for failure," Bildt told reporters
after the press conference.
Ethiopian troops have to withdraw from Somalia quickly, he
said.
Steinmeier talked about the necessity of a peacekeeping force
for Somalia, but said such a force would be of African origin.
Ambassadors of EU member states will take up the Somalia issue
on Friday. The EU foreign ministers' meeting on Jan. 22 will also
debate this issue, said Steinmeier.
The internal conflict in Somalia between the transitional
government and Islamic militia was complicated as Ethiopian troops
joined the Somali government in fight against Islamists.
Steinmeier expressed concern on Wednesday at the risk of the
conflict spilling over into neighboring Kenya, saying the situation
is "anything other than stable."
(Xinhua News Agency January 4, 2007)
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