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Mali Military Leaders and West African Mediators Fail to Reach Agreement on
Transitional Government

VOA News

   Mali remains without a blueprint forward after three days of talks
   between military coup leadersand WestAfrican mediators yielded no
   decision on the make-up of a transitional government.

   The leader of the West Africa's regional bloc, former Nigerian
   President Goodluck Jonathan said Monday, they were permittedto
   speakwith President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who has been held by the
   junta since he resigned last week.

   Jonathan said, Keita said, he was not forced from office and does not
   wanttoreturn to office but wants a speedy return to a democratically
   elected government.

   Jonathan said, the Economic Community of West African States delegation
   and the junta, known as National Committee for the Salvation of the
   People, agreed on a number of issues and they asked the military
   officers to look over some of the issues theydid not agree on.

   Junta spokesman, Maj. Col. Ismael Wague said, ECOWAS leaders gave their
   view on themakeupof a transitiongovernment,but hesaid thefinal
   architecture of the transition will be decided by Malians.

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