SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES START OF SOMALI RECONCILIATION MEETING

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES START OF SOMALI RECONCILIATION MEETING
New York, Jul 13 2007 3:00PM
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today said he wishes a "successful beginning" to the National Reconciliation Congress set to begin this weekend in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

Urging that efforts are continued to ensure the broadest participation possible in the process, he "commends the determination of the National Governance and Reconciliation Committee and the Somali delegates to proceed with this important event in the face of many obstacles," according to a <"http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sgsm11088.doc.htm">statement released by his spokesperson.

Mr. Ban also condemned the recent violent incidents and threats intended to thwart the Congress, and called on opposition groups – both within and outside Somalia – to renounce violence and participate in the Congress to further the cause of reconciliation.

Stressing that this Congress is the beginning of the consensus-rebuilding process, he pledged the UN's support for continuing "all-inclusive efforts at national reconciliation and greater international assistance to help bring peace and stability to Somalia."
2007-07-13 00:00:00.000

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