From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:KENYA: OPPOSITION LOOKS FOR CLINTON'S SUPPORT
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 23:08:43 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1993, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: KENYA: OPPOSITION LOOKS FOR CLINTON'S SUPPORT


nairobi, jan 19 (ips/horace awori) -- kenya is hoping for a more
positive relationship with the u.s. after the inauguration
wednesday of president bill clinton.

''we would want a different approach to outstanding issues
like donor assistance'' james somani, the deputy secretary in
the ministry of foreign affairs told ips.

''we will expect that after the processes we have undergone
including the multiparty election it will lead to a lifting of
the embargo on aid and the sooner it is done the better'', he
said.

he noted the country had played its role in satisfying the
''erroneous requirements that the u.s. and other donors had
imposed'' on political and economic reform, and declared that
the kenya government wished the new u.s. president well.

washington's support is also being sort by the opposition,
following president daniel arap moi's controversial dec. 29
election victory.

martin shikuku, secretary general of ford-asili, the largest
opposition party said of clinton: ''that is a man who was
elected freely and fairly and we wish him well''.

shikuku told ips that although clinton was an unknown
quantity in africa, he had given the impression that he ''would
attach more importance to democratisation than his predessor,
george bush''.

africa will have to wait and see, but according to shikuku,
''if he stresses the enhancement of democracy everywhere, this
will be of help to us in kenya''.

ford-kenya's raila odinga, the deputy director of elections,
told ips that his party expects more forthnight support for
democracy from clinton than ''we got from bush''.

a retired marketing executive, wilfred maciel said he expects
the clinton administration, like that of carter in the 1970s,
to emphasises human rights in its dealings with the developing
world.

''he doesn't seem to know much about africa, but with u.s.
troops in somalia he will have to show interest''.

maciel added, ''i hope he will keep smith hempstone on as
u.s. embassador to kenya''.

hempstone, a former journalist has been a controversial
and outspoken ambassador badgering the government of president
daniel arap moi on human rights issues and the transition
to multipartyism. (more/ips)


kenya: opposition (2)

the envoy, who is due to leave kenya next month, is reported
to have offered to stay on for the clinton administration.

just before the elections last month, hempstone warned the
government that there would be very little difference between
clinton and bush on the issues of political and economic reform.

rose wairimu, a secretary here said that ''kenyans love
the u.s. ambassador'' because of his tough stand on human
rights.

she said she expected the u.s. to be more forthright in
supporting the democratisation process and this ''from a point
of more idealism than mere self-interest''.

dr. eric aseka, a history lecturer at kenyatta university
warned that in the unipolar world now existing, the u.s.
president must exercise reponsible leadership.

''we do not need a bully neither do we expect the us to be
world policeman. democracy must extend to bilateral relations as
well'', he said.

another lecturer, dr. casper awoundo of the department of
government, university of nairobi, was apprehensive about the
clinton administration.

''he has little experience of foreign affairs and his
campaign was based mainly on domestic issues. the democratic
process unleashed in the world will need alot of support if we
are not to be disillusioned by its collapse'', said awoundo.
(end/ips/ha/oa/93)
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