UN General Assembly
2000

the search for a new destiny and a sense of the need to act at all costs. Through the wisdom, persistence and sincerity of these elders, it was possible to complete the reconciliation and to establish solid structures for the second phase. The core political choices could then be made. The second phase began on 15 June, with the participation of over 2,000 delegates. The setting of this conference bore no resemblance to any in the past, because this one took place in a giant tent. There were no class or social distinctions evident among the participants, who included women, representatives of all minorities, a number of warlords and, of course, the entire clan mosaic of Somalia. Proceedings were covered by satellite and on the Internet in order to enable Somalis everywhere in the world to keep abreast of developments. Participants outnumbered the residents in Arta, the hill-top resort town, which was the venue for the conference. Nearly every resident contributed to the conference one way or another, particularly in accommodating this huge and sudden influx of visitors.