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The U.S. View on Current Events in Somalia

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John Yates Date: Thursday, 17 January 2008 Time: 7:00 a.m. EST (1200 GMT)

The United States continues to support efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in Somalia and bring economic development to its people. The United States believes that the key to long-term stability in Somalia and to protecting the country from serving as a safe haven for terrorists is inclusive political dialogue between the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and key Somali stakeholders. The United States is the largest bilateral donor of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, providing more than $180 million in humanitarian and development assistance in the last two years. Please join Ambassador John Yates for a discussion on the new prime minister and Cabinet, security and U.S. involvement with the country.

Guest Biography: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appointed Ambassador (retired) John M. Yates as special envoy for Somalia on May 17, 2007. As special envoy, Yates plays a critical role in engaging with representatives of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government, other key stakeholders, and regional and international partners to help Somalia create a stable government as it emerges from more than 14 years of instability and lawlessness.

Ambassador Yates comes to this post with considerable experience, having represented the United States as an observer to the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference at Mbagathi, Kenya, which established the Transitional Federal Charter and the Transitional Federal Institutions, which serve as the framework for the reestablishment of governance in Somalia. A career Foreign Service officer with more than 40 years' experience, Yates was one of the State Department's leading Africa specialists prior to his retirement in 2002. Yates has a B.A. in international relations from Stanford University and two master's degrees and a doctorate in law and diplomacy from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.