Kenya talks suspended for consultations

Nairobi (ANTARA News/Xinhua) - Talks aimed at ending post- election crisis in Kenya were suspended late Tuesday after rival groups failed to agree on crucial issues.

Former UN head and mediator Kofi Annan said the session was put on hold so that the Panel of Eminent African personalities would now deal directly with President Mwai Kibaki and opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)` leader Raila Odinga.

Annan however said the talks have not collapsed. "I`m going to engage the leaders in the hope that we will find a way of moving much faster. The sessions are suspended for the moment and I will discuss with the leaders how we will move forward," Annan told reporters.

Annan said that negotiations had become acrimonious and that the situation had become "very dangerous."

"The talks have not broken down," Annan said. "But I am taking steps to make sure we accelerate the process and give peace to the people as soon as possible."

Annan has been struggling to get an agreement on a political settlement between President Kibaki and Odinga, in a bid to break a stalemate over the details of the post of Prime Minister.

"The leaders have to assume their responsibilities and become directly engaged in these talks," Annan said.

The chief mediator, who assured Kenyans of his commitment to seeing an end to the political crisis, strongly called on President Kibaki and Odinga to take their responsibility of providing a lasting solution very seriously.

On Monday, Annan met separately with both leaders after negotiators failed to agree on the details of the PM`s post. But after day long talks on Tuesday, both sides emerged from the meeting with Annan, and blamed each other for the stalemate.

Government negotiator Mutula Kilonzo and his ODM colleague Musalia Mudavadi vented their frustrations after the suspension of the talks.

"We felt we were being pushed, pushed and pushed, which is not fair," Kilonzo accused.

The government and opposition are stalled on securing a power- sharing deal.

The opposition has threatened to stage protests across Kenya from Thursday if no deal is reached.

"I want to state that we have been extremely frustrated, because there are moments we believe we have made ground and we realize the following day that there`s actually a reversal," said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi`s remarks on the constitution aspect of the stalemate were also countered by sentiments from cabinet minister and government negotiator Martha Karua.

"The issue of looking for a solution must be founded on our constitution, and if it means that some slight amendment can be made to our constitution, that is the way to go," Mudavadi argued.

But Karua questioned: "If we are both committed to an overhaul in 12 months, can this short term political arrangement be put in a statute, pending the overhaul of the constitution?"

Both sides had agreed last week to create the post of prime minister, which would be taken by Odinga, leading to hopes of a final deal soon.(*) END

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