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February 1st, 2008 The Honourable Kenneth Marende Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Kenya Parliament Buildings P.O. Box 41842 Nairobi KENYA Dear Mr. Speaker: The Canada–Africa Parliamentary Association is an organization of Canadian parliamentarians that is dedicated to promoting exchanges between African and Canadian parliamentarians, to proposing initiatives likely to lead to better mutual understanding of national and international problems, and to working to develop cooperation in all fields of human activity. It is made up of senators and members of the House of Commons from all the political parties represented in the Parliament of Canada. The Canada–Africa Parliamentary Association is deeply concerned by the events in Kenya since the general election of 27 December 2007. We are troubled that election observers—including the Pan African Parliament Observer Mission, the East African Community Observer Mission, the Commonwealth Observer Group, and the European Union Election Observation Mission—reported that the election fell short of international standards. We are shocked and saddened by the consequent violence and the humanitarian crisis, and note the deaths of Members of Parliament. The Association joins the international community in calling for all parties in Kenya to take all steps necessary to end the violence quickly and to strive for peace and compromise in addressing the situation. We also urge all Kenyans to respect the internationally accepted standards of human rights and democracy. We would ask you, Mr. Speaker, to convey to every Member of the National Assembly our hope that they will exercise the necessary leadership to bring pressure to bear on the parties involved to stop the violence and help reach a peaceful, democratic and long-lasting solution. The Canada–Africa Parliamentary Association will continue to follow events in Kenya and would like to express its sincerest hope that Kenyan parliamentarians will use all the means at their disposal to help resolve the crisis. Please let us know if we might be of assistance at this difficult time. Yours truly, Co-Chairs
c.c.: His Excellency Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya Mr. Raila Amolo Odinga, M.P., Republic of Kenya His Excellency John Kufuor, Chair of the African Union Mr. Kofi Annan, Leader of the Mediation Team and Former UN Secretary General The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, P.C., M.P., Prime Minister of Canada The Honourable Maxime Bernier, P.C., M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Judith Mbula Bahemuka, High Commissioner of Kenya to Canada Mr. Ross Hynes, Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya
REPUBLIC OF KENYA Bunge, Nairobi SPEAKER’S CHAMBERS Telephone: 221291/2848000 National Assembly Fax: 315950 Parliament Buildings E-mail: sna@parliament.go.ke P.O. Box 41842-00100 NAIROBI, Kenya SNA/2008/(22) February 11, 2008 The Honourable Raynell Andreychuk, Senator, The Honourable Mauril Bélanger, Co-Chairs Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association Parliament of Canada Ottawa, Canada, K1A 0A6 Re: APPRECIATION Dear Senator, I acknowledge with gratitude receipt of your letter dated 1st February, 2008. On behalf of the National Assembly, I wish to express our appreciation to the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association for your concerns and solidarity during these difficult times for our country. We, in particular, deeply appreciate your offer of assistance and will not hesitate to revert in this regard at an appropriate time. I am pleased to inform you that Members of the National Assembly across the political divide are currently touring all parts of the country preaching peace and reconciliation. May I also assure your Association that the National Assembly will play its rightful role in leading the way towards a sustainable and expeditious solution to the current crisis. The National Assembly of Kenya appreciates the cordial relations with the Parliament of Canada and will continue to work closely with your Association for the mutual benefits of our Parliament and our people. Yours sincerely, THE HONORABLE KENNETH MARENDE, M.P. SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Copy to. : H.E. Prof. Judith Mbula Bahemuka High Commissioner High Commission of Kenya CANADA
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