The meeting had been organized at the personal request of David Miliband and was attended by a cross-section of Somali community organizations in Cardiff together with Somali sixth formers from Fitzalan High School and young volunteers from the local youth service in Butetown and Grangetown.

After the meeting Alun Michael commented:

"This was a real landmark meeting. In the first place, David Miliband had made a personal request to meet the Somali community in Cardiff . Secondly, most meeting with Ministers are useful but they usually involve people on both sides setting out fixed positions. At today's meeting in Cardiff there was real engagement and dialogue involving the foreign Secretary and individuals from the local community.

"Local community leaders stressed the way in which democracy has flourished in Somaliland and discussed ways of helping in the future.

David Miliband spelt out the way in which funds from the UK government are already helping Somaliland, but he also expressed interest in supporting initiatives, particularly by young people through education links with schools in Somaliland .

"During the meeting, David Miliband demonstrated an excellent understanding of the situation in Somaliland and its aspirations for the future. He expressed a wish to see continued development there as well as hopes for peaceful developments in Somalia . Both he and local community leaders expressed sympathy for people in Mogadishu following deaths in recent fighting there.

"He stressed that Britain wanted to make the most of the contribution of the Somali community in Cardiff , and indeed the contribution of Somalis in all parts of Britain . He encouraged young people to aspire to gain qualifications, both to succeed in their own careers and with a view to helping their own community and communities in Somaliland . He said he would look at ways to help the diaspora to make a real contribution to growth and development in Somaliland

"During the meeting, I was able to refer to my own experience during the visit by MPs that I led to Somaliland last year. I will be following up the discussion with the Foreign Secretary and his officials as a result of today's meeting as well as pursuing with them the issues that I and other MPs discussed with the Somaliland Foreign Minister in London last week.

"I felt very proud of the way in which our young Somalis from Fitzalan High School and from the Youth Service conducted themselves in a very mature discussion with one of the UK 's leading politicians. David Miliband said he was highly impressed with the articulate and competent way in which they put their points across.

"The First Minister of Wales, Rhodri Morgan stressed his support for the Somali community in Cardiff . He explained that while the Welsh Assembly does not have foreign affairs responsibilities - they are dealt with by the British Parliament - the Assembly does want to help countries in Africa which have close links to Wales , like Somaliland .

"It is very clear that people like the head teacher, Mrs Cath Bradshaw, and the local youth organizer Steve Khaireh, have great confidence in the young members of the Somali community and want to help them to succeed. And only good can come out of such a lively and constructive discussion," said Mr Michael.

Mr. Abdikarim Abdi Adan, Director of the Wales Somaliland Community said “We are very delighted with our community members contributions and way they professionally presented the issues of Somaliland to our Foreign Minister.

“We also, once again, take this opportunity to thank the Foreign Minister, Wales Assembly Government's First Minister and Lorraine Barrette, Assembly Member and Rt. Alun Michael, MP for taking time off from their busy schedules and to be with us in this historical meeting to discuss issues of importance.”

Mr. Abdirahman Awed, Chairman of Somaliland Community said, "I wish to thank the staff of the Somaliland Community for their hard work and dedication. Equally I also thank all our volunteer and community members. It's our collective effort that has been recognized by our Foreign Minister, Rt. Hon. David Miliband.

We thank everybody, who made this meeting a success.

Source:ST.