Bush discusses African crises

US President George W. Bush discussed the bloody conflict in neighbouring Kenya with Tanzania's leader yesterday before showering him with praise and signing over a $700 million development grant.

Mr Bush's talks with President Jakaya Kikwete, new chairman of the African Union, on the second day of his tour of the continent covered the trouble spots of Kenya, Darfur and Zimbabwe.

On Saturday, Mr Bush threw his weight behind a power-sharing deal to end the Kenyan violence which has killed 1,000 people since a disputed presidential election in December. He is sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Nairobi today to help mediation by former UN chief Kofi Annan.

In a news conference with Mr Kikwete, Mr Bush emphasised the US wanted to help Mr Annan and not dictate terms to end the Kenya crisis.

Mr Bush said he and Dr Rice had discussed with Mr Kikwete "not what we should do to dictate the process but what America can do to help the process move along". But Washington has threatened sanctions against anyone blocking a power-sharing deal.

Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula warned outsiders yesterday against trying to force a deal on his country.

"We encourage our friends to support us and not to make any mistake of putting a gun to anybody's head and saying 'either-or', because that cannot work," he said.

Dr Rice does not expect to come away from today's meetings with a final deal, White House spokesman Dana Perino told reporters. She also said Dr Rice would not be bringing any incentives to the table.

The government of President Mwai Kibaki has been wary of mediation and solutions imposed from outside. Analysts say government hardliners believe they have all the cards to sit tight and consolidate their hold on power.

Mr Bush, on his second visit to Africa since becoming President, and Tanzanian President Kikwete signed the largest grant by the Millennium Challenge Corp., which provides funding to countries which pursue democracy and sound economic policies.