Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Annan embarks on final push for Kenya compromise
Annan embarks on final push for Kenya compromise
The Associated Press
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
NAIROBI: Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary general, embarked on a final push to squeeze a compromise from Kenya’s feuding president and opposition leader Wednesday.
Annan, who has been mediating in the crisis, has set up direct meetings with the men to break a stalemate that has kept the East African country in limbo between a power-sharing government and ethnic violence.
Two months after the disputed Kenyan presidential vote, Annan suspended monthlong talks between the two political parties on Tuesday, saying he would personally appeal to their leaders to strike a deal because talks were “turning around in circles.”
The opposition, meanwhile, called off mass rallies that had been planned for Thursday. Past rallies have turned violent. The opposition leader, Raila Odinga, said the move was in response to a request from Annan.
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