Arabic → English transcript

What about some outstanding issues?

I’m asking you about some other issues related to what is happening in

Somalia, for example.

Whether in what is known as the Somaliland region, which declared its secession,

and Israel has, in one way or another, recognized that. Or even in… in Ethiopia, Mr.

Ambassador.

Yes, it is a major step,

Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, and as we know,

Somaliland is a fascinating nation. It seceded from Somalia in 1991,

and logically and in reality,

we are talking about the fact that Somaliland… … is perhaps the most democratic

nation in the Horn of Africa. They were desperately seeking recognition,

and so Israel recognized Somaliland.

In fact, it is the first United Nations member state to recognize Somaliland

as a legitimate country. And although Somaliland has been an independent state

since’ 91 As a democratic system of

governance So does this new assessment,

Your Excellency the Ambassador, mean that we say, honestly,

that this place which wants to secede from a state is more democratic?

And so we move on to the issue of secessions

and carving up countries like this I mean, okay…

and it seems that the United States itself,

as far as the official position is concerned, does not acknowledge this

matter And it does not see Somaliland as an independent state, as far as I know,

unless that has changed in the past few hours

I know that,

and I am not speaking on behalf of the U.S. government What

I am saying is not the position of the United States of America But in any case,

the truth is that within the American government there is a lot of sympathy toward

Somaliland And we would not be surprised if the American government

were to move soon to recognize Somaliland Because

the United States of America has become very frustrated with Somalia and Mogadishu