United Nations Radio

The provisional authorities of Somalia are determined to bring stability to the country which has not had a functioning government for two decades.

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Somalia's foreign minister Ali Ahmed Jama (photo) said the priorities for his government are reconciliation, meaningful institution building, creating a new constitution, and providing humanitarian aid to the displaced and the poor.

The UN Security Council is considering whether to send a peacekeeping force to Somalia. Some argue that there is no peace to keep in the country still torn by conflict with thousands of Somalis fleeing the fighting in the capital Mogadishu. But Mr. Jama is counting on the UN's help.

"I think there is a window of opportunity, and there is more interest by many countries in the world and members of the Security Council who are coming around to our view that the time is right for a UN engagement. We will continue; we will be persistent in asking the United Nations to shoulder its responsibility under the Charter in the maintenance of peace and security."

At a recent briefing to the Security Council, UN Special Envoy to Somalia Ahmedou Ould Abdallah offered four possible scenarios concerning UN involvement. One of them envisages setting up an integrated peacekeeping operation on the condition that the majority of the parties would agree to a political power-sharing arrangement and renounce violence.

The Security Council plans to travel to Somalia in April.

Reporting for UN Radio, I am Elena Vapnitchnaia.

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