May 02, 2009

Larry met with Khadija Ali to discuss how the Town Hall meeting concept might progress from her perspective.  Before becoming a US citizen, Khadija had been a grass roots organizer in Somalia and eventually became a member of Parliament and then the government.  She still retain ties to leaders in Somalia.

Type of Town Hall Meeting:   We discussed two types of meetings:

1. Small discussion with 100+ participants and a panel, perhaps hosted by USIP, if they are willing.

2. Larger event in a Church, Mosque or public space for several hundred participants and a panel.

Both options have their own values.  The first could be influential with US government policy makers if people are invited who can influence the government.  A smaller crowd lends itself to a more interactive experience.  The second could also have that value but if very large would harder to control. 

• Action to Larry to see if USIP or another institution would be willing to host this event in their quarters. 

• Action to the Working Group.   What kind of audience do we want to attract?  One idea is to use the emails lists from the Democratic Committees throughout Northern Virginia to pull in a large community of Americans, both Somali and non-Somali Americans.  That lends itself to a rally format

Speakers:

1. We agreed that the panel can't too large, else it might become a one way conversation, allowing no interaction at all.

2. Possible Speakers:

   •  Larry Roeder to chair event, set tone and manage questions and the outcome.  Also advertises the Working Group as a body that supports the administration and is looking for a peaceful resolution to the pirate crisis and sustainable development for Somalia.

   • Congressman:  Tim Bucholtz is looking into this option.

   • USIP:

   • Somali:  Someone of national stature that will be noticeable to Somalis anywhere in the world.  Khadija recommended a well known Rap Singer.

   •  Local Somali-America.   Khadija, Ali

   • Other?  Nice if we get attract from USAID, State or the White House.  John Bell has been suggested.  He is a strong Obama supporter and local candidate for office.

Agenda:   Still to be developed

Outcomes:

I.   Media Outcomes ---   these are useful for advertising the Working Group and getting the attention of the government as well as signaling a positive message to Somalia

1. Convince Voice of America to broadcast a news story to Somalia.  The idea is to show Somalis that America's care and that our perspective is peaceful and respectful.

2. Convince CNN to do a story. This would be for domestic and international audiences.  Khadija has already been interviewed by Jim Clancy of CNN International, so this might not be possible.  Jim is based in Atlanta, so perhaps a trip to Atlanta to talk to him is warranted.  Jim brings the experience of more than 30 years covering the world to every newscast on CNN International. He didn't just read about the collapse of Communism, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the siege of Beirut, the Rwanda Genocide, or all of the Iraq wars. He was there.

3. Convince the Washington Post to do a story.

II.   Letter to the President

1. We propose drafting a letter within the Working Group to be handed out at the event and then ask the group to endorse it.  This letter could be handed out at the start of the event and emailed to people in advance who RSVP'd that they are attending.

   •     Advance the idea of peacefully resolving the Pirate situation.

   •     Push the notion of international investments in practical sustainable development as a tool to tamp down future violence.

   •     We also need some unique ideas to be put in the letter to separate us from the rest.  Here are some suggestions.

   1. Amnesty for those who give their piratical ways.  IF this isn't done, then they are criminalized and become a source of future violence.

   2. A multilateral Trusteeship solution.  While recognizing the government's sovereignty, set up a powerful UN Administrator to build up governance at the district level (fostering democracy amongst the tribes and other groups, give grass roots bodies a chance to push up their ideas).  Set up a Coast Guard to manage coast line to protect fishing and prohibit pirating.   Set up an international police for order.   Develop ports to service ships going along costs, thus creating jobs.   The entire trust authority has to have an exit strategy to allow for transitioning out and leaving behind a strong central government as well as strong but collaborative local governments.

   3. Ask Secretary of State to assign a Special Envoy for Somalia.

III.    Call for people to join the Working Group   This note could be handed out at the start of the event and emailed to people in advance who RSVP'd that they are attending.