Britain may stop war games
2005-11-15 09:09
Nairobi - Britain on Monday threatened to abandon war games in its ex-colony Kenya, where it faces a multi-million dollar lawsuit over alleged rapes by its soldiers of local tribeswomen, unless its 40-year training agreement is finalised soon.
British Ambassador to Kenya Adam Wood said his country would consider relocating military exercises if Nairobi failed to renew the accord.
"As far I am aware, we have addressed all the technical issues," Wood said in an interview broadcast by independent television Nation TV.
"I think we have reached a point where we would like a clear decision soon because we can go and train elsewhere if it is not acceptable to Kenya to continue training on the basis that we would bring our troops up to the required level," Wood added.
Compensation demand
The military exercises have exposed Britain to massive lawsuits over munitions left in training areas and rape allegations by local tribeswomen.
Hundreds of Maasai and Samburu have demanded £20m in compensation from the British army for rapes allegedly committed by soldiers posted to the area.
In November 2002, Britain paid a $4.5m out-of-court compensation package to 232 tribespeople killed or maimed by live ordnance.
Under the 40-year agreement, the British army carries out war games in ranges in the Rift Valley province and in return builds clinics, water supplies, schools and bridges.
British personal injury lawyer Martyn Day, who is handling the women's rape claim, is also preparing a British lawsuit seeking compensation for independence fighters allegedly tortured by British colonial authorities before the country gained independence in 1963.
Relations between Kenya and Britain have turned frosty in recent months after former high commissioner Edward Clay accused Kenyan government officials of corruption.
In response, one official branded Clay an "incorrigible liar."
In July, the Home Office revoked a travel visa for Kenyan Transport Minister Chris Murungaru, one of President Mwai Kibaki's closest allies, because of fraud allegations.
But Woods said Kibaki this month assured him that ties between the two countries were in good shape.
"I was very pleased when I saw the president a few weeks ago, when he confirmed to me that the relationship between our two countries was very strong and it was not being adversely affected by the question of the exclusion of Dr Murungaru," Woods said.