Kenya's opposition threatens more mass protests

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- Kenya's opposition party called for renewed mass protests unless the Parliament meets within a week and changes the constitution to make way for a political settlement.

The Orange Democratic Movement on Wednesday accused President Mwai Kibaki's party -- the PNU -- of delaying mediation by resisting what is calls necessary changes to the Kenyan constitution.

Kofi Annan, the former U.N. secretary-general, is mediating the negotiations toward a power-sharing coalition with strong backing from the United States and the international community.

"The ODM does not see a serious partner in the PNU in negotiating a peaceful settlement," the statement from ODM Secretary General Anyang' Nyong'o said.

"The ODM proposes that Parliament is summoned within the next one week to enact necessary changes in the constitution to implement these mediation proposals," it said. "If that does not happen, ODM will resume peaceful mass action."

"All Kenyans know that the present constitution is itself a problem to democratic change in Kenya. We need to change it to be in tune with the popular demand for democratic governance in our nation," it said.

The statement also cited several instances in Kenya's history in which the constitution was quickly changed to resolve a political conflict.

Attempts to get government response to the ODM statement were not immediately successful.

A source close to the Annan talks said Wednesday that the mediation team will appeal to both sides not to make statements that could jeopardize the talks.

About 1,000 people have died in violence that began after a disputed election in December.

Kibaki won the presidential vote but ODM leader Raila Odinga said the election was rigged, and international observers noted irregularities. He and his supporters declined to recognize the election as valid.

Both sides have agreed to create an independent committee to investigate the December 27 election.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who visited Kenya on Monday to meet with both sides, called the election "problematic" and she said they should create a "grand coalition" for power sharing.

Members of Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe and the Luos, the tribe of opposition leader Raila Odinga, have been in the middle of severe ethnic clashes that erupted after the elections. E-mail to a friend

CNN's David McKenzie in Nairobi, Kenya, contributed to this report.

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