Friday, September 19, 2003 - Regional suspicion of Somalia's expansionist dreams has been cited as a drawback in that country's peace efforts.
Retired President Daniel Moi said that at independence, Somalia was claiming parts of Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia and initiating armed conflicts to try and realise this dream.
Its neighbours feared that a reunited and prosperous nation might resurrect Somalia's territorial claims.
Mr Moi, who was speaking at the American Defence University in Washington, said the bitter disagreements and conflicts in Sudan began soon after independence in 1956.
He warned that unstable countries without organised and functional systems might be fertile grounds for terrorism.
On the East African Community, Mr Moi told his hosts that by November this year, the three member states hoped to sign a customs union to integrate their economies.
"It is the dream of East Africans that after integrating their economies, negotiations will begin for an East African Federation, which will ultimately take in Rwanda and Burundi," he said.
Mr Moi thanked the assistant secretary of state for African Affairs, Mr. Walter Kansteiner and a former US Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Johnnie Carson for the facilitation of his current visit to the U.S.
The former head of state had earlier held lengthy discussions with Mr. Kansteiner at the state department headquarters.