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05 January 2007
(Addis Ababa) - Ethiopia in collaboration with the Federal Transitional Government (FTG) of Somalia has been playing a crucial role in ensuring peace and stability in Somalia, Jendayi E. Frazier, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs said.
Frazier made the statement on Thursday while holding talks with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi here at the Premier's Office.
Frazier said the United States and the international community are stunned by the swift counter-offensive of the Ethiopian Defense Forces which crushed the extremist group of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) in Somalia in a matter of days.
After the talks, Frazier told journalists that the people and government of Ethiopia are making remarkable contributions toward ensuring peace and stability in Somalia.
Frazier said the Ethiopian Defense Forces have been doing exemplary deeds in peacekeeping missions in Burundi and other African countries.
United States would continue providing training and other assistance to the Ethiopian Defense Forces as per the Ethio-US bilateral cooperation, while it would also provide humanitarian and emergency relief to the TFG and the people of that country.
A conference would be held in Nairobi, Kenya soon to confer on ways that could bring about dependable peace and stability in Somalia, she said, adding USA would work together with the Ethiopian government in efforts geared toward bringing about lasting peace and stability in Somalia.
Prime Minister Meles said Ethiopia has successfully reversed the threat imposed by the extremist group of the UIC in Somalia and the Defense Forces have been finalizing its mission at present.
Meles told Frazier that a new government representing all people of Somalia should be established in that country based on the Charter of the TFG, a senior Foreign Ministry official, who attended the discussion said.
The two sides have also suggested that an international peacekeeping force should be deployed in Somalia soon, the official said.
(ENA)