Text of report by Kenyan newspaper `East African Standard' web site on 20th April

The Department of Defence [DoD] yesterday denied claims that this weekend's military exercise at Coast Province involving over 4,000 soldiers had an American agenda.

The DoD public relations officer, Bogita Ongeri, said the operation was purely a Kenyan affair, adding that the Americans are only facilitators of the training.

Ongeri denied claims by Mombasa Muslim leaders that Americans were planning to use the mission to secretly carry out military activities in neighbouring Somalia. Ongeri said it was sad that religious leaders were opposed to the exercise which will be of immense benefit to communities in Malindi, Kilifi and Tana River districts where the drills will be concentrated.

Ongeri said the forces will be on a peace keeping training mission which will also include humanitarian support to communities in the operation zones. He said the soldiers will set up free medical camps in Hola, Garsen, Asa, Bura, Chakama, Kakoneni, Maarafa and Gongoni areas where residents will get free medical treatment. The camps will be held between 2nd and 16th May. Ongeri said the activities under the Civil Action Programme, are aimed at benefiting the public.

The officer was reacting to claims by the chairman of the South Coast branch of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya, Mr Khamis Amir Banda, who alleged that the operation had an American agenda.

Banda was speaking yesterday during the dawn BBC Swahili Service broadcast. He said the operation did not have the blessings of Coast Muslims who, he said, had already written a protest letter to concerned authorities.

But Ongeri said the department has not received any letter from any organization protesting the operation dubbed Natural Fire 2000. He urged local leaders to welcome the routine military drills and desist from politicizing issues.

Source: `East African Standard' web site, Nairobi, in English 20 Apr 00