By Prensa Latina
Strasbourg : Skepticism over the results of December’s elections and repudiation of the wave of violence were the main arguments the European Parliament used on Thursday to demand withdrawal of economic support to Kenya.
The EP unanimously adopted the resolution temporarily canceling direct financial assistance from the European Union to Kenya’s government.
The support would not be resumed until such time as the political crisis in this African country is resolved, said the European deputies, who also gave their complete support to former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan’s mediation.
The document emphasized that the victory of President Mwai Kibabi on December 27 was improbable, so an independent revision of the ballots is necessary or a call for new elections.
European Development Commissioner Louis Michel stressed that the EU will revise its ties with Nairobi unless there are talks between Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Michel commented that the direct budgetary assistance that the EU gives to Kenya’s administration could be affected, although he ruled out eliminating humanitarian programs in the African country.
The EU allocated 383 million euros to Kenya through the European Development Fund for 2007-2013.