Embassy Row

Kenya shocks Obama

Democratic presidential candidate Barak Obama was shaken by the political violence in Kenya, as he told a radio station in Nairobi this week that the “troubling events” in his father’s homeland “bear no resemblance” to the nation he knew as a “proud example” of democracy in East Africa.

“Urgent action must be taken to stop this spiral of violence and to help resolve the current political crisis,” the Illinois senator told the Capital FM radio station in remarks posted on the U.S. Embassy’s Web site (nairobi.usembassy.gov).

He called on President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga to “rise above party affiliation and past divisions for the sake of peace.” Supporters of the two leaders, divided along tribal lines, have battled each other since Mr. Odinga accused Mr. Kibaki of stealing the Dec. 27 presidential election.

Clashes between Mr. Kibaki’s Kikuyu tribal supporters and minority tribes, including Mr. Odinga’s Luos, have left at least 800 dead and 255,000 homeless, according to reports from Kenya.

Mr. Obama, who most recently visited Kenya in 2006, added he was shocked by “indications that the violence is being organized, planned and coordinated.”

In a statement that echoed the theme of his presidential campaign, Mr. Obama referred to the “Kenya spirit [that] rises above ethnic groups or political parties.”

“I have been touched by your generous, democratic spirit through my ties to my own family and during my travels to Kenya,” he said.

“But the recent troubling events in Kenya bear no resemblance to the Kenya I know and carry with me. The senseless and tragic violence poses an urgent and dangerous threat to Kenyans, Kenyan democracy and stability and economic development in a vital region.”

Mr. Obama added his suspicions about the fairness of the election, saying, “There is no doubt that there were serious flaws in the vote tabulation.”

He said Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Odinga “have a responsibility to calm tensions, to come together unconditionally and to pursue a political process to address peacefully the controversies that divide them.”

The two rivals yesterday opened negotiations under the mediation of former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Mr. Obama implored Kenyans to remember the progress they have made toward a multiparty democracy in recent years.

“Kenya has come too far to throw away decades of progress in a storm of violence and political unrest,” he said.

“Kenya’s long democratic journey has, at times, been difficult, but at critical moments, Kenyans have chosen unity and progress over division and disaster.”

Greece mourning

A book of condolences for those who wish to express their thoughts over the death of popular Greek Orthodox Archbishop Christodoulos will remain open today at the Greek Embassy.

Ambassador Alexandros P. Mallias said the public is invited to sign the book from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the embassy at 2211 Massachusetts Ave. NW.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush sent their condolences Monday, after learning of the death of the 69-year-old religious leader in Athens.

“The late archbishop was well known as an articulate voice of the Orthodox faith, for his engagement in inter-religious dialogue and for his promotion of social programs to help the vulnerable,” they said.

In Athens, U.S. Ambassador Daniel V. Speckhard sent a personal note to the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church.

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297, fax 202/832-7278 or e-mail jmorrison@ washingtontimes.com.