[Mitai-announce] Kenya needs us

[Mark Hertzberg]

> Dear friends,
>
> Kenya still teeters on the brink of disaster – today bullets are  
> flying on the streets, with over 600 killed and 250,000 made  
> homeless as government and opposition dispute the presidency.  
> There's hope yet, as Kenyan civil society groups stand up for peace  
> and justice -- but only dialogue and an independent review of the  
> tainted election can end this crisis and prevent escalating violence.
>
> The world can play a crucial role: by reinforcing the efforts of  
> mediators like Kofi Annan, and refusing to recognize any government  
> until it is legitimately established. 50,000 Avaaz members have  
> already sent this message to our foreign ministers, and almost all  
> have listened so far. But inside Kenya, hardline leaders are sowing  
> conflict.
>
> President Kibaki and opposition leader Odinga need to hear that  
> international legitimacy will only come after a mediated  
> resolution. To send this message, we're taking out a full page ad  
> in The East African Standard, an influential Kenyan newspaper. The  
> ad will list the number of messages we've sent to our governments -  
> can we double its strength bysending 100,000 messages this week  
> before the ad runs? Click below to see the ad, send your message  
> and spread the word:
>
> http://www.avaaz.org/en/kenya_free_and_fair/5.php
>
> Kenya depends on international tourism, aid and trade. With both  
> Odinga and Kibaki accepting Kofi Annan's mediation mission, there  
> may be light at the end of the tunnel. It's not too late to help  
> Kenya back from the brink -- send your message, spread the word today.
>
> With hope,
>
> Paul, Pascal, Galit, Ricken, Ben, Esra'a and the whole Avaaz team
>
> PS - Here are some links to the latest news on Kenya -
>
> Marches, violence:
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/kenya/story/0,,2242178,00.html
>
> Disputes over mediation:
> http://allafrica.com/stories/200801141777.html
>
> Tainted elections:
> http://allafrica.com/stories/200801141360.html
>
> _________________________________________
>
>
>
> [-525.733826-]
>
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