President Muse's speech delved into many subject matters, covering security and development, relations with the federal government in Mogadishu, and he updated lawmakers on his ambitious exploration project.

Most of Gen. Muse's speech focused on the conflict in Las Anod, the provincial capital of Sool region. Troops from the breakaway Somali state of Somaliland captured Las Anod on October 15 after Puntland security forces retreated to Garowe.

Puntland has many "economic problems" stemming from a variety of causes, President Muse said, highlighting an influx of Somalis fleeing war in the southern regions as a prime example.

He said the government of Puntland "will not be destroyed" by its enemies, including Somaliland and an Eritrea-based Somali opposition group.

"We must develop economically and create opportunities for our citizens," President Muse told Puntland legislators.

He praised the residents of Las Anod for not bowing to Somaliland's "clear aggression."

"Somaliland does not control Las Anod. They are unable to enter [the city]. The people fighting [each other] are 'our people'," President Muse said, referring to the local clans of Sool region.

He said "our men sold us out," perhaps indirectly referring to Ahmed Abdi Habsade, a former Puntland government minister who invited Somaliland forces to Las Anod after Muse sacked him in July.

Puntland has many enemies whose sole aim is to destroy the Mogadishu-based transitional federal government (TFG), led by former Puntland strongman Abdullahi Yusuf, Gen. Muse said.

"Plans to destroy Puntland originated in [the Eritrean capital] Asmara and were signed by various individuals and clan representatives," Muse said, referring to exiled opposition figures, who have established an umbrella group and live in Eritrea.

But Puntland will not be deterred by such enemies and will continue with plans to ensure the security of its citizens and the promotion of economic development, the president said.

"Our election plans are on schedule and Puntland will continue on the democratic path," Gen. Muse told lawmakers. The Muse administration's term in office expires in 2009, when the government is expected to host presidential and legislative elections.

Muse called for calm across the Puntland regions, stating strongly that the government has the capacity to defend the region from external threats.

"I see all our people preparing for war. We have prepared troops and military officers for the war. A lot of clans have brought thousands of fighters. We cannot all fit the frontlines," Gen. Muse said and the parliament burst in applause.

Residents and sources in Garowe say thousands of Puntland troops and allied clan militias have poured into town in recent days, preparing for an eventual showdown with Somaliland forces in the outskirts of Las Anod.

But Gen. Muse expressed much confidence in his security apparatus, saying: "I promise you that Las Anod will come back to our hands."

He condemned Somaliland security forces for arbitrarily detaining Sool villagers and townspeople and taking them as prisoners. More than 20,000 civilians have fled Las Anod since October 1, according to UN estimates.

"[Somaliland President Dahir] Riyale will not come and raise his flag in Sool region, any part of Sool," Gen. Muse pledged.

Since its unilateral declaration of independence from Somalia in 1991, the Somaliland sub-state has created its own flag and currency, and maintains its own security forces.

No country in the world has recognized an independent Somaliland to date. Leaders in Hargeisa, the Somaliland capital, argue that the breakaway region has not gained recognition because they have failed to "close the borders" that include Sool and Sanaag regions, both claimed by Puntland for clan-related reasons.

But comments the president of Puntland made towards the end of his speech expressed a fundamental shift in policy.

President Muse, who signed an exploration contract in 2005 with an Australian firm, suggested today that the exploration program might be suspended.

"I said many times before that we will bring this [company] or that, but I have nothing today," Muse said, with parliament erupting in applause and some laughter.

He said his administration's primary focus is to "defend Puntland and restore security."

"Those who were critics [of this administration] have a voice today, but today correct our mistakes and bring something positive," Gen. Muse said.

Critics say Muse's change in tone reflects reality on the ground, where his administration is seen as a failure for not stopping Somaliland's incursion into Las Anod.

The Puntland leader's calls for calm to the region's armed clans suggests that he is worried about the presence of clan fighters in or near Garowe and the long-term consequence they could have on his tenuous grip on power, insiders said.

Muse's foreign partner, Australian junior explorer Range Resources, has invested money in the Puntland government to pursue the exploration project and it is not clear where that company stands with regard to new developments in northern Somalia.

Source: Garowe Online

---