Rivals in Kenya Meet, but Recriminations Follow

NAIROBI, Jan. 24 -- President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga met briefly Thursday for the first time since Kenya's disputed presidential election threw the country into weeks of protests, riots and ethnically charged violence.

The meeting at first appeared to be a breakthrough, albeit a symbolic one, and their handshake afterward on the steps of a government building in downtown Nairobi was met with camera flashes and cheering from hundreds of onlookers.

But by evening, each side had accused the other of using the occasion for political ends.

An Odinga spokesman, Ochieng Mbeo, said grimly that he hoped Friday would bring "something more meaningful than the theatrics we saw today."

"We are still open and believe that miracles do happen," he said.

In response, a government spokesman, Ngari Gituku, said the opposition had "taken Kenya into the deepest abyss ever," according to the Reuters news agency.

The momentary detente was brokered by former U.N. secretary general Kofi Annan, who arrived here Tuesday for what opposition leaders characterized as "the last hope for Kenyans" to solve the crisis.

Annan stood on the white stone steps with the two men, who shook hands stiffly, smiled their best smiles and spoke to the cameras about peace.

Kibaki appealed for all Kenyans to "shun violence." Odinga, who has accused Kibaki of stealing the Dec. 27 election from him, said he would "spare no effort" to find a resolution.

But Odinga pointedly referred to his rival as "Mr. Kibaki," rather than using His Excellency or another presidential honorific.

Kibaki referred to himself as "the duly elected president."

Opposition leaders accused Kibaki of reading a speech written by hard-line advisers determined to make sure no compromise takes place.