LETTER FROM SECRETARY CLINTON TO PRESIDENT

UNCLAS STATE 034124 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PGOV KE SUBJECT: LETTER FROM SECRETARY CLINTON TO PRESIDENT KIBAKI AND PRIME MINISTER ODINGA ¶1. PLEASE DELIVER THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY CLINTON TO PRESIDENT KIBAKI AND PM ODINGA. THE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT PLAN TO RELEASE THE TEXT OF THE MESSAGE. A SIGNED ORIGINAL WILL FOLLOW. SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. ¶2. (SBU) BEGIN TEXT: DEAR MR. PRESIDENT AND MR. PRIME MINISTER: KENYA AND THE UNITED STATES SHARE A LONG HISTORY OF COOPERATION AND MUTUAL SUPPORT. IT IS IN THAT SPIRIT THAT I AM WRITING TO URGE YOU TO INTENSIFY YOUR EFFORTS TO ADVANCE THE REFORM AND ACCOUNTABILITY AGENDA AGREED BY ALL PARTIES LAST YEAR. THE UNITED STATES IS CONCERNED THAT ABSENT ROBUST PROGRESS TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THE POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE, KENYA RISKS RENEWED VIOLENCE AND INSTABILITY, TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF KENYA AND OUR SHARED INTERESTS IN THE REGION. WE RECOGNIZE SOME NOTEWORTHY INITIAL STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN, SUCH AS AGREEING ON A PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING A NEW DRAFT CONSTITUTION AND DISMISSING THE DISCREDITED ELECTORAL COMMISSION. HOWEVER, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE REMAINS ELUSIVE, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE CONTINUES TO SLIP. WE ALSO URGE YOU TO HOLD CORRUPT OFFICIALS AND THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR FACILITATING POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE ACCOUNTABLE, INCLUDING THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CREDIBLE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL IN KENYA. THE CORROSIVE EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION AND LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY UNDERMINE KENYA?S PROSPECTS FOR PROSPERITY. THE UNITED STATES DEEPLY VALUES ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH KENYA. WE STAND READY TO SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS TO ACCELERATE REFORM AND LAY THE GROUNDWORK FOR A PEACEFUL FUTURE FOR YOUR COUNTRY. SINCERELY YOURS, HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON END TEXT. CLINTON