Indian PM Meets Kufuor In Abuja

Abuja, Dec. 6.: Ghana President John Agyekum Kufour today expressed deep disappointment at Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee cancelling a proposed official visit to Accra.

Meeting on the sidelines of CHOGM 2003 here, both discussed matters of mutual interest besides developments in the Commonwealth and other issues, an official spokesperson later said.

The Indian Prime Minister was to pay an official visit to Ghana from December 8-11 at the end of the ongoing CHOGM Summit but cancelled it as he was more keen to attend to the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.

New head for C'Wealth

In a separate development, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon was today elected for a second four-year term by the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meet (CHOGM) here.

Though it was expected that Laxman Kadirgamar, former Foreign minister of Sri Lanka would be elected since McKinnon's term was coming to an end, the issue was discussed at length by the Heads of states, governments and delegations in a meeting convened by CHOGM Chairman and Nigerian President Olesegun Obasanjo immediately after the inauguration this morning.

Addressing Heads of Government following his re-election, Mr McKinnon said: "I feel very privileged and honoured to be working for the Commonwealth."

He further said: "I am convinced there are many more ways in which we can make a difference in the future. We will continue to work towards that end."

Commonwealth Secretary Generals are elected by Commonwealth Heads of Government and may hold a maximum of two four-year terms.

Don McKinnon was first elected at the Durban CHOGM in 1999 and took office in April 2000. He is the fourth Commonwealth Secretary-General. His second term in office will commence in April 2004.