Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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January 10, 2008

Kenyan Opposition Says Mediation Talks Have Failed
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1ADECB6:A6F02AD83191E16028EA655B4C1AB3F8B3350E090FE6A6E8& Orange Democratic
Movement makes announcement, saying it has 'greatest regret' for
failure of African Union-mediated talks





Orange Democratic Movement women supporters are tear gassed as police
block their route to Nairobi city center, 10 Jan 2008Kenya's main
opposition party says efforts to mediate the country's bitter
presidential election dispute have failed.

The opposition Orange Democratic Movement made the announcement in
Nairobi Thursday, saying it has the "greatest regret" for the failure
of the African Union-mediated talks.

The party's secretary-general Anyang Nyongo blamed President Mwai
Kibaki for the breakdown.

The announcement contradicted a statement from African Union Chairman
John Kufuor, who said the rival parties have agreed to work with a
panel of eminent Africans led by former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi
Annan.

The opposition accuses President Kibaki of rigging the December 27
presidential election to ensure his victory. Political and tribal
violence since the election has killed more than 500 people.







African Union Chairman Ghanaian President John Kufuor (l) with Kenya's
opposition leader Raila Odinga (r) arrive for their meeting at a hotel
in Nairobi, 09 Jan 2008Earlier Thursday, opposition leader Raila
Odinga held talks with Mr. Kufuor, four former African heads of state
and Jendayi Frazer, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for African
affairs.

While the talks were in progress, a group of Kibaki allies were sworn
in as Cabinet ministers in a closed-door ceremony. The ministers'
appointment on Tuesday sparked renewed violence in parts of the
country. None of the Cabinet officials are members of Mr. Odinga's
Orange Democratic Movement.

The opposition denounced the appointments as evidence Mr. Kibaki is
unwilling to negotiate an end to the crisis.

Also in Nairobi Thursday, police fired tear gas to disperse around 100
women protesters who were marching in support of Mr. Odinga.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.




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