Mogadishu Domestic Service radio (in Somali) — 1400 GMT

[Excerpts] Jaalle Mohamed Siad Barre, secretary general of the Somali Socialist Revolutionary Party (SSRP) and president of the Somali Democratic Republic, declared this morning that, with effect from today, 1 July, the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) has officially transferred the responsibility, powers and authority of administering the country to the SSRP.

Jaalle was reading the act which legally transfers the responsibility and powers to the party congress, which is being held in Mogadishu.

After reading the act to the congress, SSRP Secretary General Jaalle Siad personally handed out medals to each member of the SRC, as agreed by the congress, for their patriotism and nationalism.

The party secretary general also requested the congress delegates to award a similar medal to the widow of late SRC member Jaalle Mohamud Mire Musa, and this was accepted by the congress delegates with applause.

During the congress session, numerous officers from the various sections of the armed forces, namely the army, navy, air force, police, custodial corps, and gulwadayal (victory pioneers) addressed the congress and pledged to defend the party’s policies and the fruits of the 21st October revolution.

The congress secretariat read out numerous messages of support and congratulations from various peoples and groups. Among the messages read out in the congress today were those received from the CPSU general secretary; the Front for the Liberation of the Somali Coast; the Institute of Political Education; and the Hodan, Wardigley, north west and Berbera revolutionary committees.

At 1300 today SSRP Secretary General Jaalle Siad officially closed the founding congress of the party.

In his closing speech, Jaalle Siad conveyed the thanks and gratitude of the party’s Politburo to all the delegates who attended the congress and elected them to lead the country until the party’s next congress.

We hope, the secretary general said, that we will be worthy of your confidence and trust in our leadership, and we are confident that the challeyal you have elected will spare no effort in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.

President of the Somali Democratic Republic Jaalle Siad summarized the duties of the new socialist party into three major and essential ones; the proper and efficient streamlining of the party cadre; the economic development of the country so as to attain a productive and socialist nation; the complete freedom and independence of the Somali people so that they can determine their destiny. Only when these three objectives are achieved with the help of our unity and hard work can we claim that we have fulfilled our obligations toward the Somali nation, Jaalle Mohamed Siad Barre concluded.

Acting on behalf of the founding congress of the party and the Central Committee, Jaalle Ismail Ali Abokor conferred on Jaalle Siad the rank of marshal and the heroes medal bestowed upon him by congress.

Speaking about Jaalle Siad’s work, which has earned him this honor, Jaalle Ismail said that the president did not earn the medal easily. He earned it as a result of his clean record, the relentless struggle he waged for the freedom of the Somali people and his wisdom which helped him save the Somali people and country.