20110409 – A nominee for US ambassador to Kenya has said his country will oppose the request for a deferral of the Ocampo Six cases.

Retired Maj-Gen Scott Gration, President Barrackl Obama’s pick to succeed Mr Michael Ranneberger, told US Senate panel on Tuesday that Kenya’s bid did not meet the conditions for a United Nations- sanctioned reprieve.

Because the US holds veto power in the Security Council, Maj-Gen Gration’s statement signals doom for Kenya’s schedules appeal to the council.

The country must persuade the council that trials at The Hague would jeopardize international peace and security.

But Maj-Gen Gration suggested that the opposite could be true. A UN deferral of the cases “may in some ways exacerbate the situation.”
Hi did note that “other avenues” were open to Kenya, saying it could appeal directly to the International Criminal Court for the cases to be tried at home.

Maj-Gen Gration’s comments reaffirmed the earlier US position articulated by Mr Ranneberger and State Department officials.”

The nominee’s reamarks on other Kenya-related topics also suggest he will carry on with Mr Ranneberger’s approach. Mr Ranneberger’s involvement with the Kenyan youth has attracted sharp criticisms from politicians.

Maj-Gen Gration also deplored what he said was widespread graft in Kenyan society. He said corruption is so pervasive that it is keeping Kenya from having access to development grants given by the US-sponsored Millennium Challenge Corporation.

Maj-Gen Gration is a fluent Kiswahili speaker has been raised partly in Kenya by his missionary parents.