Press Statement
Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 23, 2004
Somalia Transitional Federal Assembly
The United States is encouraged by the swearing-in of 194 members of the Somali Transitional Federal Assembly. This is an important step toward the reestablishment of effective governance and stability in Somalia.
However, we are concerned that 81 members of the Transitional Federal Assembly have not yet been selected. We urge the Somali participants to work in an inclusive manner to quickly resolve the remaining differences blocking the swearing-in of the remaining assembly members. Only when the Assembly is complete will it be possible to select a President, Prime Minister and other government officials to create a representative Transitional Federal Government capable of beginning reconciliation and reconstruction in Somalia.
After thirteen years, the possibility of reestablishing a government in Somalia may finally be on the horizon. We call on all Somali participants to approach this process with sustained commitment, honesty and goodwill.
2004/923
Released on August 23, 2004
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