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Empresas y finanzas

Kenya crisis talks continue


    By Daniel Wallis

    NAIROBI (Reuters) -

    Kenyans and world powers alike have called on PresidentMwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga to agree a dealto halt turmoil that has killed more than 1,000 people,displaced another 300,000 and shattered the country's peacefulimage.

    But a lasting accord looks far from certain, with Odinga'sOrange Democratic Movement (ODM) demanding the creation of apowerful prime minister's post for their man, somethingKibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) looks unlikely toconcede.

    "The hardening of positions by both sides -- obviously dueto the high stakes in the event the deal is sealed -- promisesa longer and more torturous path to a compromise," localcolumnist Jackson Mwalulu wrote in the Daily Nation onWednesday.

    "The PNU and ODM negotiating teams have so far succeeded inmaking a complicated job nearly impossible. From outsidelooking in, it is more about egos and sibling rivalries. Eachside is too careful not to be seen to have been the first oneto blink."

    The opposition accuses Kibaki's team of stealing victory atthe December 27 polls. Kibaki's side says it won fairly andaccuses ODM of instigating tribal violence following the finalresults.

    COLONIAL ERA TREATY

    The government team is resisting calls by U.S. Secretary ofState Condoleezza Rice, mediator Kofi Annan and several westernnations to allow a power-sharing deal or "grand coalition".

    "The time for a political settlement was yesterday," Ricesaid on Monday after visiting Kenya to support Annan's efforts.

    On Tuesday, Kibaki said he was "willing to work togetherand share responsibilities in government" with ODM, but thatany deal "must be in tandem with the current Kenyanconstitution".

    The government's insistence on sticking to the constitution-- a colonial-era treaty which all sides agree is long overduefor reform -- could block any special new arrangement toaccommodate ODM like a premier's post for Odinga, analysts say.

    The deadline set by former U.N. boss Annan for a politicaldeal by mid-February has passed, despite a trip last week to asecluded safari lodge to focus minds. But the Ghanaian hasvowed he will stay until the talks reach an "irreversiblepoint".

    (Editing by Ralph Boulton)

    (For special coverage from Reuters on Kenya's crisis see:http ://africa.reuters.com/elections/kenya/)