Britain, Kenya Sign $75-Million Aid, Trade Pact

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher signed an aid and trade agreement worth $75 million Monday with Kenyan President Daniel Arap Moi but did not discuss reports of human rights violations by his government, officials said.

Moi arrived in London on Sunday after a visit to the United States that was described by the Times of London as a “diplomatic disaster” following pressure over allegations of human rights abuses in Kenya by the London-based monitoring group Amnesty International.

“Throughout the week he came under attack from members of Congress and the press, and was even given a forthright warning by President Reagan about maintaining high standards on human rights,” the newspaper reported on Monday.

But a Foreign Office spokesman, acknowledging Moi’s “rough time” in Washington, said that Britain avoided controversy during Moi’s daylong visit.

“Before paying a courtesy call on the queen, as is usual with every Commonwealth head of state, President Moi held talks lasting one hour and 25 minutes with Mrs. Thatcher,” the spokesman said.

“They discussed a wide range of African, international and bilateral issues and signed an aid and trade agreement worth $75 million. The grant will be used for development projects in Kenya,” he said.