WORLD IN BRIEF : KENYA : Britain Freezes Aid, Seeks Rights Progress

Britain said that it is freezing bilateral aid to its former colony Kenya until it sees satisfactory progress on political and economic reform and human rights. Lynda Chalker, Britain’s minister of state for overseas development, said before talks with President Daniel Arap Moi in Nairobi that she will make no new aid announcements until she is satisfied about progress on reforms and human rights. Chalker also cited concern about the treatment of opposition parties and the media. The move pushed Britain to the forefront of donors seeking changes in Kenya. Other countries have cut their aid this year because of political concerns, but none has frozen it.