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Raila, ODM wants quick
resolution
February 9, 2008
EA STANDARD
By Standard Reporter
ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga, has called for a resolution to the
political crisis.
Raila said ODM remained committed and hopeful that a political
settlement is arrived at soon so that normalcy can return and pave
way for nation building.
"ODM is fully in support of a peaceful resolution. We have backed
down on many of the issues we pledged not to renege on thus easing
the bargain," Raila said.
He was speaking at the Pentagon House where visiting Netherlands
minister for Development Co-operation, Mr Bert Koenders, called on
him.
Raila said the international community was applying pressure on
ODM and Government to arrive at a resolution.
Koenders said Netherlands backed the Dr Kofi Annan-led mediation
to restore peace and development.
Koender said his visit was for a neutral position and his country
was not leaning on political divide, but what would spare the
country further suffering.
The minister will tomorrow visit the displaced people in Kibera,
Naivasha and Eldoret to assess the situation and how they would
support humanitarian efforts.
Netherlands and the United Nations continued to pile pressure on
parties to soften up for a peaceful settlement of the crisis.
"We want impunity to end and my government will continue to
support Annan and his team," said Koenders.
He spoke on a day the UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian
Affairs and Co-ordinator for Emergency Relief, Mr John Holmes,
arrived with a call on Raila and Kibaki to drop their hard lines.
Holmes said he had particularly come to assess the humanitarian
situation. Holmes said Kenya’s future depended on the outcome of
the negotiations.
He defended pressure from the international community saying
friends of Kenya are concerned.
Koenders said that the root causes of the crisis must be addressed.
He singled out the constitutional review as among those that must
be considered.
Koenders, who is on a two-day visit, is scheduled to tour areas
affected by the post-election violence.
Holmes will also meet representatives of the Government and ODM,
Raila and Kibaki.
He will also visit all refugee camps in the Rift Valley, Molo,
Nakuru and Naivasha.
Meanwhile, the US Government continued applying pressure on Kibaki
and Raila to find a common ground.
The US House of Representatives said Kenya was too important to be
left at the mercy of gangs.
"Kenya is an important partner for the US. Every effort should be
made to ensure it is stable," said Mr Russ Feingold, chairman of
the Senate’s Subcommittee on African Affairs in a statement.
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