U.S. Daily Press Briefing

U.S. Daily Press Briefing

Robert Wood, Deputy Spokesman

Washington, DC

November 13, 2008

INDEX:

SOMALIA
Islamic Forces Carrying Out Attacks in Somalia is Great Concern to U.S.
Need To Support Transitional National Government

TRANSCRIPT:

10:40 a.m. EST

MR. WOOD: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the briefing. I don’t have anything for you, so why don’t we go right to your questions.

Dave.

QUESTION: You know, the Islamic or Islamist rebels in Somalia appear to have sort of picked up the pace of an offensive, possibly even threatening Mogadishu. I just wondered, is that a matter of concern to the United States? Are there any diplomatic contacts maybe to try to revive the idea of the Multinational Peace Force there?

MR. WOOD: Well, the Islamic forces that have been basically carrying out attacks throughout Somalia, it’s of great concern to us. We obviously are providing as much support as we can to the transitional national government, and we’re going to be working with our allies to try to help that situation.

But again, you’ve got these terrorists who are just – all they want to do is to, you know, carry out death and destruction in the country. Somalia has suffered enough. We need to try to move forward and bring about peace and stability to that country. It’s a source of Islamic extremism. We need to work with our allies and others to try to do what we can to support that transitional national government.

Anything else?

QUESTION: Thank you.

MR. WOOD: Thank you.

ENDS

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