[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 95 (Tuesday, June 10, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                SOMALIA

  Mr. ISAKSON. Mr. President, on May 21, 2008, the Senate passed by 
unanimous consent S. Res. 541, a resolution on Somalia introduced by 
Senator Feingold. As the new ranking member of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, I wholeheartedly support 
bringing about change in Somalia to allow for a viable government that 
will benefit the people of Somalia as well as the entire region.
  The United States has a critical interest in establishing a secure 
and stable government and society in Somalia. I support the U.S. 
strategy in Somalia and believe that the only way to stabilize the 
country is through political reform, humanitarian assistance, 
deployment of African Union forces, and to keep terrorists from seeking 
refuge in Somalia. It is important that the Senate recognize that it is 
in the interest of the United States, as well as the entire region, 
that the sustainable peace in Somalia we seek create a government that 
does not threaten or seek to destabilize its neighbors or provide safe 
haven to known terrorists that are a threat to the U.S. and the Horn of 
Africa.
  I also wish to emphasize that it is equally important that the Senate 
take great care in calling for a timeline for the withdrawal of 
Ethiopia's troops from Somalia. The resolution calls on Ethiopia to 
develop a timeline for the ``responsible'' withdrawal of its armed 
forces from Somalia. I believe Ethiopia to be in full agreement with 
this language and would like to withdraw its forces as soon as 
possible; however, a ``responsible withdrawal'' requires a replacement 
to maintain peace and stability and to stop terrorism. I would urge the 
African Union to continue sending peacekeeping forces to Somalia so 
that the Ethiopian forces can withdraw.
  Furthermore, I strongly support all efforts that help convince 
Eritrea to play a constructive role in helping to bring about a stable 
Somalia. I urge the African Union, the United Nations and other 
peacekeeping groups in the region to pressure Eritrea to work with its 
regional partners to bring about peace and stability in Somalia.

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