Military

DATE=3/12/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KENYA / SOMALIA PEACE (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-314058

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=NAIROBI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: East African foreign ministers say Somali leaders are needlessly delaying the country's peace process and jeopardizing international financial aid. V-O-A's Michael Drudge reports from Nairobi.

TEXT: A meeting of East African foreign ministers in Nairobi to discuss the Somali peace process opened on a pessimistic note Friday.

The ministers, representing the region's Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, complained that Somali political and tribal leaders are letting petty differences drag out the peace process.

The executive director of the I-G-A-D group, Attalla Hamad Bashir, said the slow progress jeopardizes international aid for Somalia.

/// BASHIR ACT ///

This process cannot go on forever. We have to come out with something that can make a difference. I have noticed donor fatigue. The support we used to receive from the donors last year was completely different from what we are noticing this year.

/// END ACT ///

The Kenyan foreign minister, Kalonzo Musyoka, said Somali leaders must rise above their narrow self-interests for the greater good of the Somali people.

He said it has emerged that some Somali leaders are now upset with parts of a transitional federal charter they signed in January, holding up its final implementation.

Mr. Musyoka last week invited Somali leaders to a ceremony in Nairobi on Saturday to formally launch the charter, but it remained unclear late Friday, which Somali officials might attend. (SIGNED).

NEB/MWD/MAR/TW/FC