GAROWE, Somalia June 30 (Garowe Online) - A group of influential clan elders in Somalia's northern enclave of Puntland issued a declaration Monday calling for a conference discussing the "future of Puntland" among other relevant topics.

Signed by 14 elders, the declaration was handed to Puntland-based Radio Garowe for publication after days of consultation among elders representing local clans.

Radio Garowe's sister organization, GaroweOnline.com, has translated the document in its entirety for the reading pleasure of foreigners who cannot understand the Somali language.

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A three-day preliminary meeting was held in City of Garowe by a Committee of Traditional Elders from the Puntland Regional Government

The Elders, after witnessing the difficult situation in the Puntland Regional Government, the economy, the security, and the Government organs whose term is near an end, and after evaluating the opinions, declarations and advice from the public, have decided as follows:

The Elders have decided to establish Committees who come together for a Consultative Conference about saving regions occupied from Puntland, the future of the people of Puntland and preparations for a National Conference, with delegates from across Puntland, who must make and implement decisions on the important issues mentioned above with the Blessings of Allah (God).

The Committee will consist of seventy-nine (79) members, divided as follows:

The Region of Nugaal – 13 members
The Region of Sool and Ayn – 20 members
The Region of Sanaag – 13 members
The Region of Bari and Karkaar – 20 members
The region of Mudug – 13 members

The Conference will begin on July 20, 2008, and the location is Garowe [capital of Puntland].

It is very important that different parts of society, such as the traditional elders, the religious clerics, the business community and the intellectuals, selflessly help organize, participate in and send off the Committee's delegates so that they [Committee] can finish the difficult tasks ahead of them.

The Puntland Diaspora is requested to attend the Conference and to bring funds and advice. We [Traditional Elders] fully support the comment repeated by the [Puntland] President, and the public expressed through many writings, that there will not be a term extension.

On the Draft Constitution that seems impossible to get public referendum on and which includes clauses that are unacceptable to the people of Puntland that cannot be summarized in a short article, we advise that it be postponed and not brought in front of parliament until it [Constitution] is corrected.

Signed by

Suldaan Saciid Maxamed Garaase

Ugaas Xasan Ugaas Yaasiin

Garaad Abshir Saalax Maxamed

Suldaan Ciise Xasan Cumar

Suldaan Saciid Cusmaan Cali

Islaan Maxamuud Islaan Yaasiin

Beeldaaje Cali Faarax

Suldaan Saciid Maxamed Maxamuud

Ugaas C/qaadir Cilmi

Ugaas Faarax Maxamed Cali

Garaad Saleebaan Buraale Aadam

Garaad Maxamed Cilmi Shirwac

Iimaam Nur Cabdullaahi Cali

  Representative of Sulub Cali Gaas

Garoweonline.com