RICE IN NAIROBI TO PUSH FOR DEAL !
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is holding talks in Kenya in an attempt to push the country's rival political groups to accept a deal to share power.
Before meeting President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi, Ms Rice said a coalition was needed "so that Kenya can be governed".
She earlier held talks with the lead mediator, former UN chief Kofi Annan.
Both sides agreed on Friday to set up a panel to review December's presidential vote, which Mr Odinga says was rigged.
The dispute has led to widespread political and ethnic violence in which at least 1,000 people have been killed and 600,000 have fled their homes.
Ms Rice arrived in Nairobi and went straight into a meeting with Mr Annan, who briefed her on the discussions so far between the government and the opposition.
In a brief statement afterwards, she paid tribute to the former UN secretary-general's mediation efforts, saying there had been progress under his leadership and that his mission was "fully supported by the entire international community".
But Ms Rice said there was now an urgent need for a power-sharing agreement.
"There has clearly been progress and that is in large part I think to the fact that these are leaders of the Kenyan people who want to move forward," she said.
Before meeting President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi, Ms Rice said a coalition was needed "so that Kenya can be governed".
She earlier held talks with the lead mediator, former UN chief Kofi Annan.
Both sides agreed on Friday to set up a panel to review December's presidential vote, which Mr Odinga says was rigged.
The dispute has led to widespread political and ethnic violence in which at least 1,000 people have been killed and 600,000 have fled their homes.
Ms Rice arrived in Nairobi and went straight into a meeting with Mr Annan, who briefed her on the discussions so far between the government and the opposition.
In a brief statement afterwards, she paid tribute to the former UN secretary-general's mediation efforts, saying there had been progress under his leadership and that his mission was "fully supported by the entire international community".
But Ms Rice said there was now an urgent need for a power-sharing agreement.
"There has clearly been progress and that is in large part I think to the fact that these are leaders of the Kenyan people who want to move forward," she said.
"There needs to be a governance arrangement that will allow real power-sharing, that will allow a coalition, indeed a grand coalition, so that Kenya can be governed."
Ms Rice said the 27 December presidential election had not produced "an outcome that can lead to the governance of Kenya".
"So now that outcome has to be produced by negotiation and goodwill," she added.
Mr Annan said there had been no attempt by the international community to impose a solution, but simply an insistence that a solution should be found.
The BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi says considerable progress has been made but there is no agreement ready to be signed and there remains considerable opposition in the government to an imposed solution.
"We encourage our friends to support us and not make any mistake of putting a gun to anybody's head and saying 'either/or', because that cannot work," Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula warned on Sunday.
"Even if we get visitors to help us in any way possible, the answer to the problem in Kenya lies with Kenyans themselves."
The talks between government and opposition negotiators are due to resume on Tuesday, after being adjourned last Thursday.
On Friday, Mr Annan announced that both sides had agreed to set up an independent panel, including Kenyan and non-Kenyan experts, to investigate "all aspects" of the disputed election.
Kofi Annan has said the two rivals are very close to a deal
The committee is due to start work on 15 March and submit its report within three to six months, he added.
"We are there, we are very close, we are moving steadily," Mr Annan said after two days of secret talks to end the crisis.
The government negotiator, Mutula Kilonzo, said on Thursday that the two sides had agreed to write a new constitution within a year.
Correspondents say this could pave the way for the creation of the post of prime minister, which Mr Odinga could take, although the opposition team said the issue of power-sharing needed to be resolved first.
Other details still reportedly needing to be worked out include the division of ministerial portfolios in any coalition.
Foreign diplomats have warned representatives of both sides of dire consequences if they scupper the process.
BBC NEWS REPORT.Kofi Annan has said the two rivals are very close to a deal
The committee is due to start work on 15 March and submit its report within three to six months, he added.
"We are there, we are very close, we are moving steadily," Mr Annan said after two days of secret talks to end the crisis.
The government negotiator, Mutula Kilonzo, said on Thursday that the two sides had agreed to write a new constitution within a year.
Correspondents say this could pave the way for the creation of the post of prime minister, which Mr Odinga could take, although the opposition team said the issue of power-sharing needed to be resolved first.
Other details still reportedly needing to be worked out include the division of ministerial portfolios in any coalition.
Foreign diplomats have warned representatives of both sides of dire consequences if they scupper the process.
Labels: Kenya Rice Annan Power-sharing Portfolios Diplomats U.N. Nairobi Mediation Violence Rigged
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