Kenyan elders want U.S. apology over Obama photo

ISIOLO, Kenya (Reuters) - Kenyan elders demanded an apology from Washington on Thursday ahead of a planned protest over a controversial photo of U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama in traditional Somali dress.

The picture, which appeared on a U.S. Web site, showed the Democratic frontrunner donning a white headdress and robes during a visit in 2006 to the remote north-eastern town of Wajir.

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The dispute has angered many in Kenya, especially ethnic Somalis from the northeast, who resent the implication that Obama did anything wrong during his visit.

Wajir residents plan to demonstrate after Friday prayers to show their support for the Illinois senator.

Mohamed Ibrahim, who attended one of two crisis meetings held in Wajir on Thursday by clan members who hosted Obama on his trip, said Washington must immediately make amends to them and especially to the elder pictured with him.

"The U.S. government must apologise to us as a clan and the old man," Ibrahim told Reuters by telephone. "We have been offended and we cannot afford to just watch and stay silent."

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If there was no apology, the elders said, they would demand the expulsion of U.S. troops based near Garissa town.

SheikBen wrote:I have to tell you, Keli/Armon, my interest is peaked.......

Why do I feel like I'm being set up????

SheikBen wrote:No pictures will ever top for me John Kerry goose hunting, Howard Dean trying to clap along a gospel choir, and Michael Dukakis in the tank.

ziggy wrote:

SheikBen wrote:No pictures will ever top for me John Kerry goose hunting, Howard Dean trying to clap along a gospel choir, and Michael Dukakis in the tank.

How about Dick Cheney carelessly shooting his friend while quail hunting? Can you picture that? Can you top that?

ohio county wrote:Obama looks like he's going to take Sissy over to Mickey Gilley's to ride the bull...

ziggy wrote:

SheikBen wrote:No pictures will ever top for me John Kerry goose hunting, Howard Dean trying to clap along a gospel choir, and Michael Dukakis in the tank.

How about Dick Cheney carelessly shooting his friend while quail hunting? Can you picture that? Can you top that?

Aaron wrote:It was a hunting accident, not a pre staged photo op and he wasn't pretending to be something he wasn't.

ziggy wrote:

Aaron wrote:It was a hunting accident, not a pre staged photo op and he wasn't pretending to be something he wasn't.

He wasn't pretending to be something he wasn't? He wouldn't even come out to speak with the state Game Officer until the next day. After hiding out all night, by the next day he was pretending to have been stone sober on the late afternoon before.