Kenya-US Relations Hinge on Political Accord
(Ebru News/AP) Kenya's relationship with the United States depends on the implementation of the East African country's stalled power-sharing accord, the US ambassador to Kenya said on Wednesday.
Michael Ranneberger spoke one day after the opposition suspended talks with the government and parts of Kenya erupted in violence reminiscent of scenes that rocked the country for weeks after the disputed December 27 presidential election.
Michael Ranneberger, US ambassador to Kenya:
"The whole US relationship with Kenya depends on the implementation of this political accord. So I can certainly say that if the political accord were not implemented and we think it will be implemented, but if it's not, for whatever reason, then that would affect the whole relationship. And therefore would have a huge impact on Kenya."
Still, Ranneberger, who met with both President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, remained confident a deal could happen within a week.
Michael Ranneberger, US ambassador to Kenya:
".We have been very hopeful about the political accord and we remain confident that President (Mwai) Kibaki and (opposition leader) Raila Odinga will reach agreement on composition of the Cabinet."
Ranneberger also said some two billion dollars flows from the United States to Kenya every year, including aid, investments, tourism and remittances.
More than 1,000 people were killed in weeks of clashes that followed the December 27 presidential vote, and 300-thousand were displaced.
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