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Special to the NNPA from Global Information Network
Published: 09 August 2009

(GIN) – After much heated debate, the Kenyan government closed the books on one of the worst cases of post-election violence in the country, without a trial of suspects as promised.
Politicians, businessmen and machete-wielding youths were said to have taken part in deadly post-election violence that left more than 1,300 people dead and forced 300,000 from their homes during weeks of fighting following the disputed December 2007 poll.
Failing to agree on a trial of suspects, Kenya's Cabinet tossed out proposals for a special tribunal meeting international standards for trials on genocide, mass murder, crimes against humanity and other serious violations.
The cabinet also chose to set aside the agreement reached with International Criminal Court prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and with former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan for an acceptable way to investigate and try key suspects.
It was decided instead to treat the post-vote bloodbath as a subject for reconciliation and forgiveness.
''Cabinet is confident that with proper healing and reconciliation, Kenya will not face the events of last year's post-election violence,'' cabinet officials said in a statement.
In a strongly-worded opinion, the U.S. embassy expressed displeasure with the decision and Secy of State Hillary Clinton will urge ''full implementation of the constitutional, judicial, police and land reform requirements that were part of the Kofi Annan agreement - especially those areas of the agreement that deal with impunity,'' said Johnnie Carson, the Asst. Secy of State for African Affairs, speaking to reporters travelling with Clinton.

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