U.S. Envoy-Designee to UN Skeptical on Somalia Force

ZHANG:
President-elect Obamas proposed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, spoke to a U.S. senate committee yesterday. She expressed foreign policy views quite different from those of the outgoing Bush administration, especially when it comes to Africa.

STORY:
Susan Rice, speaking yesterday January 15 at a Senate committee hearing spoke against the merits of a U.N. peacekeeping force in Somalia.

The hearing was to confirm her designation as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

The outgoing Bush Administration favors a U.N. peacekeeping force in war-torn Somalia to replace the existing African Union force.

[Susan Rice, U.S. Envoy-Designee to UN]:
"I am skeptical too, about the wisdom of a United Nations peacekeeping force in Somalia at this time."

Rice says the Obama Administration would closely examine such a plan.

[Susan Rice, U.S. Envoy-Designee to UN]:
"The new administration will have to take a very careful and close look at whether in six months time to in fact support the standing up of a UN force."

The U.S. draft plan calls on U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to develop a mandate for the proposed U.N. force.

The plan calls for assistance with aid delivery, protecting politicians and U.N. staff, monitoring ceasefires and building up Somali security forces.

Rice says she supports parts of the draft.

[Susan Rice, U.S. Envoy-Designee to UN]:
"I certainly do support elements of the current resolution which is pending to strengthen the African Union and provide it with the resources that it needs."

Rice says a "multi-faceted approach" was needed in Somalia which included efforts for emergency relief, political reconciliation and a plan to deal effectively with the "terrorist challenge."

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[WarYaaWarrior]

amiin amiin .. ... how about u change ur name that might help ... say somalia rather then puntaldn dont u think ur defiding as well

[puntland12]

i'm so sorry to my homeland somalia, i wish they will learn their mistakesand rebuild their counry soon, i always carry because of somalia they was faightin when i born to now, and i bleived now it will never end, i begge god to give blessing to my country to have peace amiin amiin?