Leader of Islamic forces in Somalia seeks 'understanding' with U.S.
Tuesday Jun 13, 2006
07:30 AM
By statesman.com
MOGADISHU, Somalia — The leader whose Islamic Courts Union militia seized control of this lawless East African capital last week after fierce fighting with U.S.-backed warlords said Monday that he seeks an understanding with the United States and denied that his group is sheltering al Qaeda terrorists.
But in his first face-to-face interview with an American journalist since his forces' triumph, Sheik Sherif Ahmed told Knight Ridder that he doesn't plan full ties with the United States, and he dodged questions about his views on al Qaeda.
"The Americans were getting wrong information from the warlords, and since that strategy failed, the Americans have a good opportunity," Ahmed said. "They can help us with offers of humanitarian assistance. We cannot say there will be full cooperation, but we can foresee an understanding between the United States and Somalia."
He also said he would never agree to a call for international peacekeepers by Somalia's nearly powerless transitional government, based 150 miles away in the city of Baidoa.
"They only brought destruction and killing when they were here," he said. "There is no reason for the request for foreign troops."
Ahmed has been the focus of international speculation about whether he plans to create a Taliban-style state that would shelter al Qaeda in this strategic African country. But Ahmed offered no clear political agenda.
The Islamic militia is still in battle mode, moving to the outskirts of Mogadishu in a push to take the last warlord strongholds. |
