Opposition unimpressed by Togo's new "national union" government

LOME, July 30 (AFP) - One of Togo's main opposition parties said Wednesday that a new cabinet named this week fell short of the "national union" government that President Gnassingbe Eyadema had pledged to install.

Eyadema, 67, said he would bring members of "constructive" opposition parties into the new government of the west African country.

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But a spokesman for the opposition Panafrican Patriotic Convergence (CPP) said the government contained only two opposition members and was "nothing new."

Eyadema, an army sergeant when he overthrew the government in 1967 and now a general and Africa's longest-serving ruler, was re-elected June 1.

The Union for the Forces of Change (UFC), whose leader Gilchrist Olympio was barred from participating in the election, for its part said it would have nothing to do with the new government.

Three rival opposition parties complained of irregularities and fraud in the June vote, but the constitutional court confirmed Eyadema's election, and he in turn promised to form the unity government.

Since then, reappointed Prime Minister Koffi Sama has been consulting with the leaders of other parties.

"There is nothing new in this government," said CPP vice president Cornelius Aidam. "It is a government that does not go in the direction of the discussions we had with the head of state."

Neither the UFC and another party, the Action Committee for Renewal (CAR), took part in the discussions with Sama, who said they had not responded to appeals from him and Eyadema.

The new government includes the president's son, Faure Gnassingbe, who takes over the communications, posts and mining portfolio.

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