Bossaso, July 5, 2006 – The president of the Puntland regional government [northeastern Somalia], Mahmud Muse Hirsi [aka Adde Muse], has convened a news conference at the presidency in Boosaaso to speak about his visit abroad which took him to several countries.

Adde Muse said his trip was mainly to Germany for medical reasons. He later visited several European countries.

Adde Muse said while in Dubai he attended many meetings aimed at soliciting funds for development projects.

He said these meetings were generally successful although they were affected by the problems in Mogadishu. He said many people equated Somalia with Mogadishu.

Responding to a question on the issue of mineral exploration by Range Resources [of Australia], Adde Muse said the company would resume its exploration activities. He said the previous agreement [with Range Resources] had been amended to allow other companies to prospect for minerals and oil in Puntland.

Adde Muse said big multinationals were obstructing the efforts to exploit the mineral resources of Puntland and the rest of Somalia.

Gen Adde Muse said he did not recognize the [Islamic] courts in Mogadishu and had no business with them. He said Puntland had its own ulema and administration which were united in working for the interest of the nation.

Speaking about the threats by Somaliland officials, he said although he had respect for the people of Somaliland he was very surprised by what the hullabaloo was all about in a bunch of angry young men escaping to Puntland with vehicles. He said: We in the past have witnessed six battlewagons commandeered and driven to Somaliland and we never spoke about this. We will defend ourselves against anyone who attacks us.

Source: Radio Midnimo, Boosaaso

BBC Monitoring