Tue, 5 Feb 2008 07:47:37


TODAY TUESDAY 5 FEB ......................CEELOH

Despite the mediation talks falling to a big blow when Kofi Annan's optional assisting negotiator Cyril Ramphosa pulled out of the talks after PNU representatives rejected his participation in the talks on the uncorroborated grounds that he had a soft spot for ODM, the chief mediator is still optimistic that he will succced.

Speaking during a press briefing on the talks progess the former UN head says the talks are faring well as there are no more hardliners in the room and once again expressed his bitterness over the rejection of Ramphosa.

However, he is determined to get more assistants who will participate as the Chair and co-Chair incase of his absentia, but he is yet to reveal who they will be. 

At the same time, Annan revealed that today's discussions emphasised the Kibaki's remarks in Addis Ababa that all aggrieved parties go to court and the team reached a decision that it was uncalled for.

Adding that everybody should watch what he says outside as it could negatively affect the talks, Annan warned aganist the formation of a parallel negotiation team while responding to a question from a BBC journalist who had asked why the president had invited the IGAD ambassadors.