Mogadishu Domestic Service radio (in Somali) — 1850 GMT

Somali Revolutionary Socialist Party Secretary General and Somali Democratic Republic President Jaalle (Comrade) Mohamed Siad Barre today received at the presidency the U.S. congressional delegation led by Mr. Howard Wolpe, chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee for Africa. Jaalle Siad and the U.S. delegation held talks on bilateral relations and cooperation, the Horn of Africa issue and the present world tension. The two sides were in agreement on all issues discussed.

The president stressed to the delegation that the SDR does not want, nor does it expect to get, territory from any country but was only honoring and upholding the fundamental principle of allowing all colonized peoples to freely exercise their right to self-determination on the basis of justice, democracy and human dignity.

SDR President Jaalle Mohamed Siad Barre added that the SDR wishes to promote peace, cooperation and the unity of the international community (words indistinct) sensible and (word indistinct) coexistence and to oppose provocation, friction and intervention by foreign powers bent on disturbing world peace and stability. The president of the SDR declared that Somalia is striving (words indistinct) the three enemies of hunger, disease and ignorance, adding that (words indistinct) succeeded when the Somali script was introduced. Jaalle Siad said:

While we were busy with our development and the promotion of international security, the Abyssinian regime, incited and helped by foreign powers (words indistinct) the SDR, the latest of which was the attack in Dolo District and other areas. The SDR president said it is imperative to find just solutions to international problems, including the Horn of Africa issue, and to promote peace. Pointing out that peoples still under the colonial yoke include those of Namibia, Western Somalia, Abo, Eritrea and Palestine, the president stressed that they should be granted their right to self-determination.

The president of the SDR, Jaalle Siad, said the people of Western Somalia are free to decide their destiny and the SDR will support them in seeking a peaceful and just solution to their problem. The president said:

In seeking peace, we are ready to hold direct talks with Abyssinian leaders to search for paths to a political solution based on justice.

SDR President Jaalle Siad stated:

We have agreed with the leaders of Kenya to strengthen bilateral relations and we hope these will reach a satisfactory level in the future.

The president of the SDR sharply condemned the apartheid policy of the racist regime in South Africa, which, he said, is a blot on human dignity and has no place in this modern era. Jaalle Siad declared that the human race is obliged to coexist in peace and cooperate toward development and prosperity, for there is no point in self-destruction by engaging in confrontation and animosity.

The president added that there is a need for certain powers to fulfill their obligations in the maintenance of peace and stability in the world and to realize the serious consequences of dictatorship, warmongering and intervention.

In conclusion, Jaalle Siad asked the delegates to convey greetings to U.S. President Ronald Reagan, the Congress, the administration and the people of the United States.