September 20, 2001

The Somali people were shocked and saddened by the savage and criminal terrorist acts in New York City and Washington DC last Tuesday September 11, 2001.

Immediately after the destruction of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, both the President of the Transitional National Government of Somalia, Dr. Abdiqasim Salad Hassan and the Prime Minister of Somalia Dr. Ali Khalif Galaydh sent condolence letters to the President of the United States Mr. George W. Bush.

In their letters, both the President and the Prime Minister conveyed to the President of the United States the profound indignation of the Somali people and Government of this heinous terror.

The leaders of the Somali Government asked the President of the United States to convey their heartfelt condolences to the American people and particularly the families of the victims of the terrorist acts.

Though the Somali government has joined the international community in their condemnation of terrorism in New York and Washington some news reports disseminated by those who want to harm the reputation of the Somali government allege that Usama bin Laden has ties to the Somali government. The Somali Government rejects this unfounded and baseless accusations.

Terrorism, in its all forms is an affront to the basic human values. It is also an affront to the culture and basic tenets of our religion. We would like to share with the international community that the Somali Government has neither a direct link nor an indirect relationship with Usama bin Laden.

The Somali Government further states that it supports all international efforts designed to eradicate terrorism.

Having said this, the Somali people are Muslims and they are proud of their religion. Islam values peace and abhors terror and those who espouse hatred. Those who wish to tarnish the good name of Somalia by way of innuendoes and fabricated disinformation simply because Somalia is a Muslim country are utterly mistaken. Being a terrorist is one thing and being a Muslim is another thing. Trying to make correlation between the two is not only an insult to the Somali people but also the billion Muslims worldwide. President George W. Bush stated this very well and its worthwhile to quote the President of the United States, “The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. That's not what Islam is all about. Islam is peace. These terrorists don't represent peace. They represent evil and war”

The Government and the people of Somalia are in solidarity with the civilized people in the world and in particular the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Arab League who condemned the terrorist acts in New York and Washington.

The Government of Somalia once again sends its deepest condolences to the Government and the people of the United States and particularly the families of the victims of this crime.

Prime Minister;

Transitional National Government of Somalia

Dr. Ali Khalif Galaydh

Source: Somalia PM  office, Mogadishu

2001-09-20

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