By Mike Dorning
MANCHESTER, N.H.—As he campaigns in the final hours before voting closes in New Hampshire Barack Obama has been talking with leaders in his father’s home country of Kenya to urge an end to the violence that has followed a disputed election result in the country.
Speaking to reporters during a stop at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Manchester, Obama said he had contacted Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga by telephone yesterday and hoped to speak today with Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki
Obama said Odinga “indicated that he would be prepared to meet with Kibaki.”
“Obviously he believes that the votes were not tallied properly. But what I urged was that all the leaders there, regardless of their position on the election, tell their supporters to stand down, to desist with the violence and resolve it in a peaceful way in accordance with Kenyan law,” Obama said
“He gave me some encouraging signs,” Obama added. “I have not spoken to President Kibaki as yet but hope to get in touch with him some time soon and want to see if I can be helpful.”
Last week Obama taped a message to the Kenyan people urging calm that broadcast over radio.