[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1579-S1580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 71--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE TRANSITIONAL FEDERAL 
                   GOVERNMENT OF THE SOMALI REPUBLIC

  Mr. INHOFE submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                               S. Res. 71

       Whereas, after the collapse of the Somali government in 
     1991, the main judicial system in Somalia devolved into a 
     system of sharia-based Islamic courts, which have increased 
     their power to include security and enforcement functions;
       Whereas, in 2000, the courts consolidated to form the 
     Islamic Courts Union (ICU), which came into conflict with 
     secular warlords in the capitol city of Mogadishu by 
     asserting its ever increasing power;
       Whereas, the ICU is known to have links to Al-Qaeda and has 
     provided a safe haven for members of Al-Qaeda;
       Whereas, by June 2006, ICU forces controlled Mogadishu and 
     much of southern Somalia, creating a potential haven for 
     Islamic terrorists;
       Whereas, in 2004, the Transitional Federal Government of 
     the Somali Republic (TFG) was formed in Kenya;
       Whereas, in 2006, the TFG army joined forces with the army 
     of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to sweep the 
     ICU from power and, after a string of swift military 
     victories, enter Mogadishu; and
       Whereas, the current situation is still volatile, creating 
     a short window of opportunity to positively affect Somalia's 
     stability and future status:
       Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
       (1) the Senate expresses its support for the Transitional 
     Federal Government of the Somali Republic;
       (2) the Senate recognizes Ethiopia, particularly Prime 
     Minister Meles, and Kenya for the noble efforts aimed toward 
     pursuing peace in Somalia and support for the United States 
     in the War on Terror;
       (3) the United States should support and push efforts for 
     serious multi-party talks aimed at establishing a national 
     unity government in Somalia;
       (4) the United States should take several measures, at an 
     appropriate time, to promote stability;
       (5) assistance from the United States will better equip the 
     TFG to face the challenges of restoring peace to this war-
     torn country;
       (6) the United States should promote foreign investment in 
     Somalia and facilitate financial and technical assistance to 
     the TFG; and
       (7) the United States should aid the TFG to--
       (A) locate and free Somali-owned financial assets 
     throughout the world;
       (B) solicit support from other friendly countries; and
       (C) encourage nongovernmental organizations to commit more 
     resources and projects to Somalia.

  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, recent events in Somalia have opened a 
unique window of opportunity. The Islamic Courts have been militarily 
defeated. However, the Ethiopian troops that are currently maintaining 
order have stated that they have no intention of remaining. There are 
reports of

[[Page S1580]]

troop withdrawals back to the Ethiopian border. Without outside support 
I fear that the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and Somalia as a 
whole will be swept back into the cycle of violence and chaos that has 
defined the country for the past 15 years.
  I believe that the United States can make great progress in securing 
the Horn of Africa by what actions we take right now. First and 
foremost is security. Until the government troops can offer sustainable 
stability, we need to assist them. This solution need not include U.S. 
troops; I am aware of negotiations for the deployment of 8,000 troops 
from other African countries, including a force of about 1,000 from 
Uganda. Any efforts in this direction should be greatly encouraged.
  The United States has no formal representative to the Somali 
Republic. The Transitional Federal Government has requested creating 
such a position.
  We need to offer assistance and aid at this most crucial juncture. At 
an appropriate time the U.S. should encourage public and private 
investment, possibly through a trade mission. Other areas where help is 
greatly needed include security training, basic sanitation, water 
purification, and tax collection.
  Perhaps most importantly, we should assist in any steps that can be 
taken to establish a national unity government. This will require 
groups from all sides of the spectrum getting together and working out 
serious solutions.
  The United States can make great progress in securing the Horn of 
Africa by what actions we take right now. I am submitting a resolution 
expressing the following: support for the Transitional Federal 
Government; recognize Ethiopia, particularly Prime Minister Meles, and 
Kenya for the noble efforts aimed toward pursuing peace in Somalia and 
support for the United States in the War on Terror; and the U.S. should 
support and push efforts for serious multi-party talks aimed at 
establishing a national unity government.
  There are a number of measures that should be taken at an appropriate 
time by the United States to promote stability. With the assistance of 
the U.S., the TFG will be better equipped to face the challenges of 
restoring peace to this war-torn country.
  While I understand that the situation is volatile and some forms of 
assistance may not be immediately appropriate, I believe it is 
necessary to raise awareness that there are definite ways that we can 
affect progress. Please join me in supporting Somalia and bringing 
peace to this war-torn region.

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