LETTERS
Everyone's friend
Sir: Your issue of 26 September included an article by Mr Raymond Bonner on recent British policy towards Kenya CA sad misuse of influence'). I should like to cor- rect some of the inaccuracies in that article.
Mr Bonner is wrong to say that our policy towards Kenya has been ambiguous, and I take exception to your headline's assert- ation that our role has been dishonourable and cowardly. Our policy has been set out in unambiguous terms by both Douglas Hurd and myself on numerous occasions. In Kenya, as in other countries in Africa, we are committed to a policy of good gov- ernment which embraces such fundamental precepts as sound economic management, open and accountable government, adher- ence to market principles, commitment to the constitutional rule of law, and obser- vance of good human rights standards.
After years of enviable stability and eco- nomic development, serious problems in Kenya became apparent towards the end of the Eighties, and in consequence the inter- nal pressures for change grew more insis- tent. That Kenya has now embarked on a difficult period of fundamental political transition is entirely to its credit. We hope that the process can be carried through peacefully and without civil disruption. Our role, given our close historical ties of friendship, has been to encourage reform, both economic and political.
It would be unrealistic to have expected such fundamental change to happen overnight. Moreover, we were, and remain convinced that the most effective way to bring about sustainable, peaceful change is through the use of persuasive diplomacy. This means speaking out when we judge it right. Advice is more likely to be taken seri- ously if given privately and non-confronta- tionally. Megaphone diplomacy is no sub- stitute for quiet, patient, hard work. We are not in the business of 'opposing govern- ments' on behalf of any political party; but we have kept up a steady pressure for reform and are therefore delighted to see just how far Kenya has come since the events of 1990, which Mr Bonner describes in his article. Less than two years ago Kenya was still a single-party state, and yet in the very near future a new democratical- ly elected government is expected to take office after multi-party elections. This is a remarkable achievement.
We will continue to do what we can to help maintain the positive momentum that has built up. In the first instance, this means helping the electoral process — Britain is providing all the ballot-boxes and we are also arranging, through the British Council, for the training of election offi- cials. Further, we are making a substantial financial contribution through the Corn- monwealth Secretariat towards the Com- monwealth election monitoring team. In addition to the Commonwealth team, the Kenyans have also invited observers from the European Parliament, and various domestic groups are organising a local monitoring facility. I hope that the Kenyan government will also be able to agree on a mutually acceptable group of US observers.
We are absolutely impartial as to the out- come of the election result. Provided the poll is free and fair, and seen to be so, then we intend to maintain the excellent rela- tionship between our two countries whichever party wins office.
Baroness Chalker
Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London SW1
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