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Fury over UK envoy’s remarks
Daily Nation
Story by DAVE OPIYO and LUCAS BARASA
14. Feb. 2008
A diplomatic row is brewing between Kenya and the United Kingdom
following a statement by High Commissioner Adam Wood that the
Government, as currently constituted, did not reflect the wishes
of Kenyans.
Kenya said Wednesday it would not tolerate such provocations any
further and hinted that it would take ‘‘remedial measures’’
against the high commissioner over his remarks.
Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula said the remarks, which
were made during an interview on a local television station on
Tuesday, were in total disregard of diplomatic etiquette.
Terse statement
In a terse statement, Mr Wetangula said: “While we have acted with
restraint, continued provocation will not be tolerated further and
the Government will not hesitate to take appropriate remedial
measures.”
Said the minister: “The Government is watching closely his remarks,
which are in total disregard of diplomatic etiquette.”
The statement from the high commissioner comes even after Mr Mark
Malloch-Brown - the UK minister of State at the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office responsible for Africa, Asia and the UN -
recently visited the country to reaffirm the strong historical
ties that existed between the two countries. Said Mr Wetangula:
“Despite these efforts, the high commissioner is still hell-bent
to wreck the boat.”
Established procedures
The minister said as an accredited envoy, Mr Wood should have
known better the established procedures of dealing with such
matters.
Mr Wetangula said the Government, as currently constituted, does
not need a stamp from the British authorities to reflect the will
of Kenyans.
Meanwhile, the Orange Democratic Movement wants the African Union
to deploy peace-keeping forces in the country if the Kofi Annan
mediated talks fail.
On Wednesday, ODM treasurer Omingo Magara said his party was
optimistic the dialogue between it and PNU will help restore peace
and stability in the country.
‘‘(Mr) Annan should be able to resolve the political crisis in the
country. If not, we should be prepared for anything,” Mr Magara
said.
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