By Katie Nguyen
NAIROBI (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State CondoleezzaRice is due in Kenya on Monday to push talks to end thepost-election crisis but can expect a lukewarm welcome from thegovernment, bristling at Western pressure for a quick deal.
Sent by President George W. Bush, Rice will be thehighest-ranking U.S. official to visit Kenya since a December27 vote sparked ethnic clashes that killed 1,000 people.
Her presence in Nairobi is intended to bolster mediationefforts led by former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan tobring about a lasting political solution to one of the darkestchapters in Kenya's post-independence history.
But on the eve of Rice's visit, Kenya's foreign ministerhad strong words for anyone trying to force a deal on thegovernment.
"We encourage our friends to support us and not make anymistake of putting a gun to anybody's head and saying'either/or', because that cannot work," Moses Wetangula said.
"Even if we get visitors to help us in any way possible,the answer to the problem in Kenya lies with Kenyansthemselves."
His comments appeared to be a pointed reference to Bush'sstatement of support for a power-sharing arrangement to end theturmoil that has affected one of the West's allies in its fightagainst al Qaeda and ruined Kenya's reputation for stability.
Bush went on to stress that the United States wanted tohelp talks, not dictate a solution, after arriving in Tanzaniaon the second leg of a five-nation tour to Africa.
A White House spokeswoman reinforced that line, saying Ricedid not expect to come away with a final deal, nor would she beoffering incentives to encourage the feuding sides to strike apact.
"But I do think ... they are inching their ways closer andthey need a little bit of help to get there," she said.
Rice is expected to meet Annan, President Mwai Kibaki andhis opposition rival, Raila Odinga, on Monday.
From the outset, Kibaki's government has been wary of whatit views as foreign meddling in the affairs of a country thatgained independence from Britain in 1963. Odinga says Kibakistole the election.
Although Annan reported considerable progress in lastweek's talks -- including agreement for an independent reviewof the disputed poll -- most Kenyans are waiting for abreakthrough on the contentious "grand coalition" ideaadvocated by Annan.
Government officials have said the only power-sharing beingconsidered is giving opposition members ministries in Kibaki'shalf-filled cabinet.
The proposal is unlikely to satisfy the opposition. The twosides are due to resume talks on Tuesday.