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SV INTERIOR: President Mohamed Siad Barre seated with Information Minister at news conference.
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CU: President Barre speaking. Newsmen taking notes (7 shots)
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BARRE: "It is quite clear, if for some, your act or acts is dangerous to your very existence, it is logical, how can you have good relations. So we are saying to our friends the Soviet Union to consider their activities in the area particularly in Ethiopia. It is most dangerous to the very existence of Somalia so to think it over, about the whole area but particularly to Somali Democratic Republic. In according to our information, the armaments that Ethiopia receives is unnecessary in quantity and in quality and very dangerous to the area. I said in quantity and in quality because many of them are so sophisticated which none African people possess. (indistinct) I think people say, French arms. I don't see why such arms is given -- what aim and object is behind. I really, I don't understand it. In quantity it is so huge that we believe it is not necessary It was up to the Ethiopian regime to settle their problems politically or as they like, mentally oriented, given by their military might, or killing as they are accustomed to do. But I don't think you've got....people should come from America or the Arab world to fight there. We don't think...what is the need of that. It's a question mark that the history will answer.




Initials RH/2005



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre claims there are about 12,000 Cuba troops fighting alongside Ethiopian forces in the Ogaden desert war. It's the first time that an accusation of Cuban involvement in Ethiopia has been made by Somalia at such a high level.

SYNOPSIS: President Barre made his allegations at a news conference in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Thursday (3 November). He also warned the Soviet Union against getting involved in the conflict.