In the past, the regime of Colonel Mengistu has not responded to signals from Somalia concerning a settlement. President Siad Barre also said Somalia was seeking ''accommodation'' with Kenya, with whom Somalia has had a border dispute for many years.
''Somalia is not seeking any territorial gain from Kenya,'' Mr. Siad Barre said. ''We are for accommodation. We are not seeking any territory from Kenya.''
The area in question is settled mainly by ethnic Somali tribes whose territory was divided up by Africa's colonial powers. Kenya says that Somalia wants to annex the area, known as the Northeastern province, and there has been heavy fighting there in recent months.
Mr. Siad Barre said that he had met privately with President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya to discuss the subject and that there would be more such meetings to resolve the dispute. ''We are trying to reach an understanding and remove the obstacles,'' the Somali leader said. He went on, ''But our relations with Kenya won't be brotherly unless this is settled.''