Saturday, March 21, 2009

(LUSAKATIMES) President Banda confirms the reconnection of the Chirundu-Lusaka Road

President Banda confirms the reconnection of the Chirundu-Lusaka Road
Saturday, March 21, 2009, 19:58

President, Rupiah Banda, has confirmed that the Lusaka –Chirundu road that was extensively damaged cutting off the route that connects Zambia to the rest of Southern Africa, has been reconnected.

The damage of the road was caused by heavy rains ,leaving trucks and other vehicles marooned on both sides of the road for long hours.

And President Banda has disclosed that Western, Southern and North-western provinces have been severely affected by the excessive rains in which 15 districts are severely affected.

Mr. Banda told a press briefing at State House today, that government contracted Sable contractors to carryout emergency works to allow the flow of traffic.

He said this followed an on the spot assessment by a team led by Works and Supply minister, Mike Mulongoti and officials from the Road Development Agency, RDA.

He said government through the office of the Vice president’s Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, DMMU, has been monitoring and assessing the impact of the excessive rainfall.

The president, further, said government has since dispatched another team led by deputy minister in the office of the Vice president, Guston Sichilima, Works and Supply deputy minister Mundia Ndalamei, Communication and Transport deputy minister Mubika Mubika and other senior government officials to the three worst hit districts in Western province.

Mr. Banda added that two bailey bridges have been dispatched to Shang’ombo district as part of the efforts to ensure that the area is re-connected to the rest of the country.

He said government has already received 30 more bailey bridges from China for the on-going works on the Kalabo-Mongu road.

He commended Sable Contractors for quickly working round the clock to ensure that the road that connects Zambia to the rest of Southern Africa is re-connected before permanent works are done.

Meanwhile, President Banda has directed the defense forces to mobilize and support the disaster management’s efforts throughout the country.

He has, further, directed them to be on standby as government continues receiving reports on floods from the districts.

The President has assured Zambians that government will continue monitoring the situation and the nation will be kept informed on the developments.

He noted that if the rains continue, it will cause widespread damage to infrastructure in other parts of the country.

In the last few weeks the country has been experiencing unprecedented levels of rainfall, which has led to floods and damage to road and other infrastructure across the country.

Government’s assessment indicates that most parts of the country have been severely affected including Western, Southern and North-western provinces in which 15 districts have been severely affected.

ZANIS/JT/ENDS/SJK

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Lesson from across the borders

Lesson from across the borders
Written by Editor

Today all the Zimbabwean leaders and political groupings are calling for the removal of the illegal economic sanctions imposed on their country by the European Union and the United States.

Delivering his maiden speech to the seventh Parliament of Zimbabwe three weeks ago, on March 4, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai joined President Robert Mugabe and Professor Arthur Mutambara in calling for the lifting of the embargo on their country.

Tsvangirai stressed the need to lift the restrictive measures in recognition of the national reconstruction process currently taking place and progress made towards improving political polarisation. “I therefore urge the international community to recognise our efforts, and to note the progress that we have made in this regard, and to march our progress by moving towards the removal of restrictive measures,” Tsvangirai told Zimbabwean parliamentarians and all applauded him.

Tsvangirai added that there was need to strengthen Zimbabwe’s relationship with the international community on the basis of respect for Zimbabwe’s sovereignty. “What we need is to fully re-establish relationships with the international donor community, which will respect our sovereignty, not a relationship essentially based on humanitarian assistance,” said Tsvangirai.

It is difficult to believe that these words were coming from the mouth of Tsvangirai. Not very long ago, Tsvangirai was moving around the world calling for sanctions against Zimbabwe. We are not trying to criticise him for doing so. We are merely trying to see or explore what lessons we should learn from the way the Zimbabweans handled their politics to the almost total destruction of their country.

It is good that all the key political players in Zimbabwe today realise the need for unity and political stability in their country. They are all in one government – a government of national unity. We do not want to question the merits of demerits of their government of national unity. Looking at the hardships the Zimbabwean people had to endure over the last 10 years, what we need to focus on is how quickly they should get their economy back on track and focus on how they should improve their lives, especially the lives of the weakest, poorest citizens of that country.

But we feel we have some legitimate questions to ask and some lessons to learn from our Zimbabwean brothers and sisters: would they have come to this situation, to a government of national unity, to this apparent peace and reconciliation without destroying their country to this extent? Is this government of national unity worth all the suffering and devastation the Zimbabwean people had to endure? Did things need to get to this extent for the political leaders of that country to come together?

Are there lessons our people can learn from all this?

Our view is that what we see in Zimbabwe is the result of intolerance, of not wanting to listen to each other. It is a product of a sweepstake-winner attitude that our political leaders have. When the feelings and grievances of others are ignored, they are allowed to grow and create a crisis. There is need to recognise the fact that every voice needs to be heard and taken into account. If it is ignored, it will multiply and come to haunt us and create a crisis for us.

We have created a culture of not wanting to listen to those who oppose us and to make them feel they don’t count, they are of no consequence to the way things should be done. We are seeing this being repeated in our own country. It is this same attitude that has brought Madagascar to its knees. Can’t we learn something from this and change our ways?

We wish to see Zimbabweans succeed in their new endeavours under a government of national unity. We wish to see Zimbabwe behaving honourably, being an influence for good in Africa and the world. We wish to see that country’s economy regain its strength.

The problem in Zimbabwe was not only with the intolerance of those in government but also with the attitude of those in the opposition and the methods they chose to achieve their objectives. Opposition leaders called for sanctions against their own country and their own people. They joined forces with colonialists and former colonialists and imperialists of all hues to destroy their country. Of course, they did all this in good faith, with the best of intentions to free their country of what they saw as tyranny in the way the country was governed. But today, it seems they did all this just to be included in government – in a government of national unity. Once they were included, everything was acceptable and the sanctions they advocated on their country could be lifted. It seems this was all that mattered. We are not trying to criticise anyone, we are simply trying to learn a lesson from them. We are just trying to understand what really matters in our politics.

When we look at Zimbabwe today, we wonder if it is really worth it for the opposition to defeat or remove those in power on the back of national failure. We think there will always be sufficient ground with that to argue for their removal.

Surely, there is need for a successful government of national unity in Zimbabwe because all those who are part of that government today share in the blame for the destruction of that country and its economy. They all need to participate in the sorting out of the confusion that arose while they were in government and in opposition respectively. They all need to take a fresh look in the new circumstances.

We have seen from the Zimbabwean experience that politics guided by the wish to destroy political opponents, and by the determination to be in power by whatever means, is dangerous. That is not a recipe for governing well. One cannot run an administration forever on such principles or motivations.

We hope those who were determined to see a total regime change in Zimbabwe will moderate their desires and accept the situation as it stands today in that country. It is clear that a total regime change is not possible and they need to work within the framework that the Zimbabwean people have accepted as a way forward. And to this end, all sanctions and restrictions on Zimbabwe should be immediately lifted.

Zimbabwe needs help – and a lot of it – to move forward, to overcome the devastation caused by the sanctions that were slapped on the country by the European Union and the United States.

We would like to see SADC and the African Union take a leading role in mobilising aid and other support for Zimbabwe. We also urge all those individuals and institutions that campaigned heavily for the isolation of Zimbabwe to channel similar energy and effort in mobilising financial support for Zimbabwe. However, we know that usually the forces of destruction are more enthusiastic than the forces of progress, those that try to build communities. It is easy to destroy but very difficult to build or rebuild.

The lesson we learn from all this is that we should continually, and without respite, struggle to create more democratic societies, more tolerant nations where dissent is respected and accommodated. We say this because where there is more tolerance, less destruction occurs even under the worst political differences.

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Mugabe calls for lifting of sanctions

Mugabe calls for lifting of sanctions
Written by Kingsley Kaswende in Harare
Saturday, March 21, 2009 8:23:51 AM

THE inclusive government in Zimbabwe has launched its Short Term Economic Recovery Programme (STERP), with President Robert Mugabe appealing for financial aid from the international community.

The new economic programme, launched in Harare yesterday, reflects the implementation of part of the broad-based agreement which seeks to addresses issues of economic stabilisation and national healing.

The plan will be in force between now and December as it lays the basis for a more comprehensive economic framework, which will succeed it.

It dwells on the revival of productive sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, trade and tourism, which President Mugabe said had been devastated by illegal sanctions slapped on the country by donors.

These economic activities, according to the plan, will be resuscitated through the removal of price controls, easing foreign currency surrender requirements and improving the supply of power, water, transport and communication, among other strategies.

President Mugabe made a passionate plea to external partners to assist Zimbabwe in ensuring successful implementation of the programme.

"The successful implementation of STERP will indeed require substantial amounts of resources from our fiscus. We hope these will be forthcoming. We also wish to appeal to all those countries which wish us to succeed to support our national endeavour to turn around our economy," President Mugabe said. "So I, on behalf of the inclusive government and the people of Zimbabwe, say: 'Friends of Zimbabwe, please come to our aid'."

President Mugabe implored the European Union (EU) and the United States to lift the economic sanctions which he described as "inhuman, cruel and unwarranted".

"SADC and the African Union have, in support of our inclusive government's economic stabilisation and recovery efforts, already strongly called for the removal of these sanctions. We, thus, repeat our loud call for their immediate removal," President Mugabe said.

Explaining the major highlights of the new economic programme, finance minister Tendai Biti said STERP was motivated by the need to get the economy back on track as quickly as possible.

"We need to take Zimbabwe out of the current rut and move it forward," Biti said.

Key priority areas are political and governance issues under which aspects such as the crafting of a new constitution, observance of the rule of law and media reform would fall.

Under social protection, focus would be on food and humanitarian assistance, education, health and strategic targeted vulnerable groups.

Stabilisation measures would include restoring the value of the local currency, increasing capacity use in all sectors of the economy and ensuring adequate availability of food, fuel and electricity, among other things.

Biti said under agriculture, a land audit would be conducted while interventions would be made to ensure security of tenure for those allocated land. This would help farmers access funding. We want to make sure that land is not dead capital," said Biti.

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It’s malicious for anyone to accuse Magande of corruption – Kazabu

It’s malicious for anyone to accuse Magande of corruption – Kazabu
Written by Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe
Saturday, March 21, 2009 8:22:43 AM

FORMER Kitwe mayor Luxon Kazabu has said it is extremely malicious for anyone to accuse former finance minister Ng'andu Magande of corruption going by the letter he wrote to transport minister Dora Siliya.

Commenting on the letter that Magande wrote to Siliya, which was recently released by Patriotic Front (PF) leader Michael Sata and published by The Post, Kazabu described as unfair attempts to malign the former finance minister.

"Unless you say that those who taught us the English language did not do a good job," Kazabu said. "In that letter, he was telling his fellow minister that there is this other option that you can explore as regards Zambian Airways."

He said it was unbelievable that the government sought to protect foreign investment but participated in sinking local investment.

"It's incredible that if you check carefully, foreigners have had massive support from the government," Kazabu said. "The most recent case is the government helping the mines; I mean let's face it, these investors in the [copper] mines are foreigners. We have done away with windfall taxes. It is unbelievable that in the wisdom of government, they do away with windfall taxes to help the mines get through the economic meltdown but you can't help your own local company get through economic difficulty. We are the same people who are on record of wanting to empower Zambians because if we empower Zambians and Zambian companies, they are the only ones who are going to develop Zambia."

He said going by the letter published in The Post, no one - including Magande - suggested forgiving or cancelling Zambian Airways' debt.

"No one is saying Zambian Airways should get away with the debt; it's just a grace period that Peter Magande was proposing and surely that can't amount to any corrupt act," he said.

Kazabu defended Magande's standing.

"I feel very bad myself because Peter Magande is one of the very few Zambians who stand out in terms of integrity and many people including the international community know this," he said. "Magande was simply trying to pull up those who are down, but then we pull down one who is trying to pull up those who are down? Now who will pull up those who are down? No one will. Any well-meaning Zambian who read that letter will know that there was no corruption involved."

He further criticised chief government spokesman Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha's attempts to tarnish Magande's image.

"It is unbelievable that a chief government spokesman could speak the way he did," said Kazabu. "Let's be fair in judging each other. If Shikapwasha was in Magande's shoes, how would he feel if he were judged like that?"

The government has recently engaged in an incessant attempt to malign Magande following President Rupiah Banda's announcement to a group of MMD cadres that he had a letter the former finance minister wrote where he suggested forgiving Zambian Airways of its debt.

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Dora to open her defence on Monday

Dora to open her defence on Monday
Written by Mwala Kalaluka and Maluba Jere
Saturday, March 21, 2009 8:21:14 AM

COMMUNICATIONS and transport minister Dora Siliya is expected to open her defence on Monday after the petitioners closed their case in the judge Dennis Chirwa Tribunal yesterday.

And Siliya's lawyers applied for an adjournment to allow them to adequately prepare for their defence.

This is in a matter where former communications and transport minister William Harrington and ten civil society organisations had petitioned Chief Justice Ernest Sakala to set up a tribunal to investigate alleged corruption and abuse of office involving Siliya.

Harrington and the civil society organisations urged Justice Sakala to probe Siliya for allegedly breaching the Parliamentary and Ministerial Code of Conduct in her engagement of RP Capital Partners of Cayman Islands to value Zamtel's assets before partial privatization and her cancellation of a tender that was awarded for the installation of radars at the Lusaka and Livingstone international airports.

Siliya is also being probed over her alleged claim of K12.5 million from Petauke District Council as refund for two hand pumps for two boreholes sunk in Nyika ward, when in fact the hand pumps were procured at K5 million.

One of Siliya's lawyers, Eric Silwamba, said he wanted time to prepare his requisite bundle of documents, including materials that he had just received pertaining to the allegations before the tribunal.

"With the leave of the tribunal, the respondents intend to open their case on Monday morning," Silwamba said. "It will enable me prepare my requisite bundle of documents including materials I have just received so that we can be sequential and effective in putting our case."

Silwamba said he could have opened his case yesterday but given the documents he would be collecting from everywhere, he may just end up confusing the tribunal.

He said he was aware that he had to close his case by March 26.

"I intimated this morning to State Counsel Mutale and he indicated that he had no objection," Silwamba said.

He made the application after the lawyers representing the ten civil society organisations in the matter closed their case.

The lawyers for the petitioners, Bonaventure Mutale and Eddie Mwitwa confirmed that their position was as Silwamba had put it.

Tribunal chairperson judge Chirwa allowed the adjournment but he observed that Silwamba's statement was quite contradictory in that he was talking about the tribunal's timetable on one hand while on the other, he wanted to waste the few hours that were available to conduct business for the day.

Sittings will resume on Monday at 09:00 hours.

And a witness told the tribunal that Siliya nominated a councillor to sit on the Petauke Central constituency development committee (CDC), against council regulations.

Petauke Council chairman Ousman Musa told the tribunal that Siliya had nominated councillor Ntaziko Zulu to sit on the CDC when regulations require councillors to nominate one of their own to sit on the committee.

During cross-examination by Silwamba, Musa said he did not lodge any official complaint over the above glaring irregularity as soon as he became council chairman because the CDC was already a year old in office.

"We saw it as normal," Musa said.

He said the sitting council chairman should have questioned the nomination at the time Siliya made it just after the 2006 general elections.

However, Musa said Zulu has since resigned to pursue other interests outside Petauke District.

Musa later told the tribunal that to his knowledge, Siliya had never attended any meeting by the constituency development committee in her constituency.

Musa said he felt very bad and underrated after Petauke Council secretary Boyd Mboyi suggested to him that he should also claim funds for the boreholes he had sunk in view of Siliya's K12.5 million claim from Petauke Council over the projects.

"He [Mboyi] thought I was desperate for money," he said.

Musa said he did not raise the issue before the consultative meeting of January 11, 2009, which was called to discuss suspicions of financial mismanagement at the council, because he was advised that it would be premature.

When judge Peter Chitengi asked him why he could not lodge a complaint over Mboyi's suggestion, Musa said he was convinced by advisors to wait.

Musa said he was advised that he had to follow the council procedures when dealing with matters of misappropriation of public funds in councils.

Musa said he wanted an audit inspection to be carried out on the council's books of accounts before he could lodge a complaint to the police.

Meanwhile, judge Chirwa told Mwitwa to advise Musa to approach the tribunal's secretariat if there was any issue that he wanted addressed by the tribunal.

This was after Mwitwa informed the tribunal that Musa had an issue he wanted to address before the proceedings following the conclusion of his testimony.

But judge Chirwa wondered why Musa should address the tribunal directly when Mwitwa was his lawyer.

Mwitwa said he did not want to put himself in another awkward situation.

Silwamba objected to Mwitwa's application saying it was unprocedural.

Judge Chirwa then told Mwitwa to advise Musa to approach the secretariat if he had any issue that he wanted to bring to the attention of the tribunal.

On Thursday afternoon, Musa said he did not recall attending any meeting where the council approved the sinking of two boreholes in Nyika ward in the district.

During examination in chief by Mwitwa, Musa testified that he did not sign for the funding of two boreholes sunk at Tasala and showground.

Musa explained that when the council has intentions of borrowing money, it first comes up with an agenda of a meeting where a resolution is passed either to borrow or not.

He told the tribunal that he saw the payment voucher for the boreholes for the first time [in court].

Musa also told the tribunal that a payment voucher for K12.5 million addressed to the council secretary indicated that it was a refund claim for an advance given to the council.

He said the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the council was charged for the claims.

Musa told the tribunal that he did not recall the council secretary ever telling him of any request to borrow money and that he did not attend any meeting where the council approved any CDF projects.

Musa denied having Talasa in his ward, contrary to what was indicated on the payment voucher.

Hearing continues on Monday.

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Rupiah under attack over corruption fight

Rupiah under attack over corruption fight
Written by Patson Chilemba
Saturday, March 21, 2009 8:20:15 AM

RUPIAH Banda's interaction with Frederick Chiluba is bringing the fight against corruption into question, Patriotic Front (PF) spokesperson Given Lubinda observed yesterday.

Commenting on the continued interaction between President Banda and former president Chiluba, Lubinda said it was sad that President Banda, who is supposed to be complainant number one over the corruption charges facing Chiluba, was according the former president very high recognition.

He urged President Banda to desist from interacting with Chiluba, saying the former president should be accorded treatment befitting a criminal suspect.

Lubinda said President Banda held so much power and that his interaction with Chiluba would not augur well with regards to the cases the former president was facing. "He's bringing the whole matter under serious speculation. Chiluba is now being given status at

public fora. He's being accorded more attention than the one, which should be given to a suspect. You never find a complainant sharing drinks and socializing with a person they have taken to court. Rupiah Banda is the first complainant I have seen who after reporting somebody to police for a criminal offence goes to wine with the accused," Lubinda said. "This brings into question the seriousness of Rupiah Banda in the fight against corruption. We should not just be heard to say we are fighting corruption. We should also be seen to be fighting corruption. We should abhor corruption. Rupiah Banda must disassociate himself from being seen with suspects until they are proven innocent. Rupiah Banda is not dissociating himself with those facing corruption charges. He's undermining the fight because the President in this country has so much power."

On MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba's statement that Chiluba should be given respect and that he had not yet being convicted of corruption, Lubinda said Tetamashimba was the most inconsistent person in MMD and the government.

He said during late president Levy Mwanawasa's reign, Tetamashimba used to be a very serious critic of Chiluba and those who were facing corruption charges in MMD. Lubinda said Tetamashimba had now U-turned because his new boss had taken a different approach to that of president Mwanawasa.

On Thursday, Lusaka lawyer Dr Rodger Chongwe said it was unethical for President Banda to be interacting publicly with a disgraced leader like Chiluba who was crowded with criminal cases.

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EU expresses interest in mending Cuba relations

EU expresses interest in mending Cuba relations
Written by Larry Moonze in Havana, Cuba
Saturday, March 21, 2009 8:18:56 AM

THE European Union has said it is interested in establishing triangular relations comprising Cuba-EU and Africa.

EU Commissioner for development and humanitarian aid Louis Michel said on Thursday that the EU and Cuba's relations had improved significantly.

"The relations are very dynamic and I am convinced that a change in the EU common position policy towards Cuba would create the conditions for increased, fruitful and mutually beneficial cooperation and exchange," Michel said.

He said he was witness to Cuba's internationalist cooperation particularly with Africa and East Timor.

"The doctors are doing a wonderful job and I ask that we develop triangular relations involving Cuba-EU and Africa and other countries," Michel said.

He said under the new exchanges, the EU and Cuba were developing new structures of development cooperation.

He announced the release of 7.5 million euros in addition to the four million euros donated last year for hurricane relief.

Michel said the emergency relief aid would go to six provinces most hit by three hurricanes of last year.

"We are also aware that today's world is not the same as yesterday," he said. "Nobody today is immune from the financial crisis, developed and developing countries are affected."

Michel said food production was crucial now that commodity prices were high.

He said the EU believed that the framework of relations were more important than the money it offered in aid.

Michel, who on Wednesday held discussions with Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez, said the EU was excited about continued exchanges with Cuba especially on human rights issues.

He said a new space had opened and that Cuba was open to discuss issues about its prisons.

"There are different areas in human rights and others that should be discussed in the framework of mutual respect," he said. "We are not obliged to share the same ideas and impressions but it is important that the platform for an open dialogue is not closed."

However, Rodriguez said the penitentiary system was entirely an internal issue.

"We have not established nor expressed any position about the penitentiary system because we believe that is under the internal jurisdiction of the [Cuban] state," Rodriguez said. "I consider Commissioner Michel a serious and responsible person."

He said EU-Cuba bilateral ties, political, had improved significantly on the principles of the UN Charter of mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of nations.

Rodriguez said it was the 1996 EU's common policy position towards Cuba perpetrated by then Spanish leader Jose Maria Aznar deemed as interventionist that constituted a serious obstacle to the development of frank and open bilateral political dialogue with the island.

And Rodriguez said the five Cubans held in US prisons were evidence of political prisoners.

He said the five had not committed crime or endangered the US by infiltrating groups that perpetrated terror activities in Cuba.

Rodriguez said the five Cubans were inhumanely treated. He called on the US Supreme Court to take position on the matter.

Rodriguez said the US used its territory for terror activities against Cuba.

"But we are sure no matter what happens they will come back home," said Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, Cuban foreign investment and foreign trade minister Rodrigo Malmierca said delegations from Cuba and the EU were meeting in Havana to study development cooperation structures and identify strategies.

He said one such key aspect was food security and effective use of available resources.

Malmierca said Cuba would strengthen its relations with the EU, based on mutual respect and free of preconditions.

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Letters - New constitution, land question

New constitution, land question
Written by Simeo Siame
Saturday, March 21, 2009 6:07:05 AM

Let it be made abundantly clear to all citizens of this country that land under the new constitution shall not remain a subject of market forces. This is my proposal. But any Zambian citizen by virtue of their citizenship shall be entitled to utilise land upon request after establishing the need.

If this were not so, the liberation struggle that was fought by the founding fathers would be in vain if their reason to fight was not to free land from the imperial colonisers to benefit the legitimate owners of the land.

After independence, the entire country which was in the hands of foreigners was now converted into indigenous hands. This did not mean that Zambians would once more begging for land any more. They had regained it back from the colonisers who had usurped for their Queen in the first place.

It would therefore be folly for any Zambian to convince themselves that land is a tradable commodity. As a property of the Zambian people, no one in their right mind, must sell it. This is simply because this land must be preserved for posterity. The commissioners currently sitting at the NCC to fashion a new constitution for this country must be patriotic and magnanimous enough to distinguish between treachery and betrayal of the Zambian people and their nationalism.

These commissioners must understand that this land called Zambia in its entirety is a unitary and indivisible property of the Zambian people. It is land which does not even belong to any ruling government. No authority can supersede the people’s collective power of ownership of this land under any conditions or circumstances including pure greed.

The imperial and commercial mentality which currently exists over land in minds of most Zambians must therefore be discarded because the imperative is that all Zambian land must be preserved commencing from now, for future generations and its posterity if Zambia is to continue in its existence as a unitary and sovereign State.

Let me repeat in making this point abundantly clear that if this country is to remain in one piece, in a recognisable form as a country which recognisably belonging to a ‘One Nation’ and to escape potential future conflagration of land wars, no piece of this land can be sold.

Already the country has witnessed several parcels of land that have been awarded sometimes on silver Platter, to foreigners and foreign governments for their personal use. This has to be stopped by this new constitution. No Zambian can wander off into a distant land and be allowed to own land on a 99 year leasehold title?

This will not happen in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Egypt, Germany, the UK, and not even in Col Gadaffi’s Libya. What is wrong with Zambia?

The new constitution should simply read that all Zambian land is not for sale. This must be so in order to hold this land for future generations. However, the new land administrative apparatus to be established by the government will be empowered to process all land requirement applications throughout the country with a view to satisfying the land needs of all persons including foreign investors without any discrimination. This is the only way available for us to go. I rest my case.


http://www.postzambia.com/content/view/6429/64/

Zambian Airways’ debt, govt’s response
Written by Raphael Mukuka, Sydney, Australia
Saturday, March 21, 2009 6:06:20 AM

It’s good that the letter that got Magande fired from the government has finally been published so that we could all get a clear background to this story.
After reading the letter, one can tell that too much noise has been made about the letter that hardly suggests the magnified wrong doing as announced by RB.

The letter does not suggest or imply forgiving a debt but rather have the payment deferred so that Zambian Airways can survive this turbulent time like many other companies affected by the global financial crunch.

Government has given so many tax incentive to foreign businesses operating in Zambia and that would be interpreted as discriminatory and a disadvantage to local investors.

In the name of fostering the economy, we have accepted those tax incentives to foreign businesses but when it comes to our own people, it suddenly becomes a huge offence.

What is wrong with a deferred payment incentive given to a local company? The only sin committed here is the Post Newspaper being a shareholder and government wants to use this as a weapon to weaken them.

How many companies have debts to government? Are they being flogged into tribunals or scrutiny? Zamtel, Zesco and suppliers are owed huge debts by the government. Are we going to set up tribunals to settle scores with anyone owing?

The shareholders in Zambian Airways have not denied the debt or refuse to settle it and being the only locally owned company in aviation, we should support its existence.

These are hard times and even bigger airlines are struggling and some are even merging with other airlines to remain in the business and save job loses.

From all this fuss about Zambian Airways, no one has even cared less to talk about the job loses and families affected after the stand-off operations.

Magande was wise and vigilant of the economic hardships and understood his duties. We cannot let emotions take over and settle scores with divergent views under the disguise of the government veil.

We need Zambian Airways back in the sky, save jobs and bring us pride as a nation. The government should not be in the forefront to discourage local investment by unnecessary fault finding just because they are not comfortable with certain shareholders.

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Chiluba, Rupiah flock together

Chiluba, Rupiah flock together
Written by Editor

It is difficult to understood or appreciate what Rupiah Banda sees in Frederick Chiluba. Chiluba is certainly a moral and political liability to Rupiah.
Why should Rupiah keep company of a man who robbed the government he leads?

Rupiah’s government is today trying to get the London High Court judgment registered in the High Court of Zambia so that it can be effected on Chiluba. The London High Court found Chiluba to have stolen public funds and has ordered that this money be recovered from Chiluba’s assets. And once this London High Court judgment is registered here, its status will be as if it was issued by the High Court of Zambia, in all respects it will rank as a judgment of our own courts of law.

So, as far as Rupiah’s government is concerned, Chiluba is a thief who has stolen Zambian taxpayers’ money, and millions of dollars for that matter. But look at the respect he is receiving from Rupiah! Look at how warm Rupiah and his friends are towards Chiluba! And compare this to the way Rupiah is treating Ng’andu Magande who has not stolen a single ngwee or cent from the Zambian government.

Look at Rupiah’s hostility towards Magande! Listen to Rupiah’s denunciations of Magande! Look at the way Rupiah’s cadres are calling for Magande’s blood, his suspension and expulsion from the MMD! But look at the way the same cadres are treating Chiluba. And today Chiluba is boasting of his MMD membership. Nobody is threatening to suspend him or expel him from the party for being a corrupt person who has stolen Zambian taxpayers’ money!

Look at how hostile Rupiah is towards those connected to Zambian Airways! Listen to or read the propaganda that Rupiah and his friends are churning out every day in the state media and on the internet against The Post, accusing us to have pocketed US $30 million! Compare this to the way they are treating Chiluba and his friends who are proved thieves and who the government is trying to recover millions of dollars from!

What impression does Rupiah’s keeping of Chiluba’s company create in the minds of our people? Can this be seen as a healthy relationship that should be encouraged? Will it be wrong for anyone to insinuate or conclude that this is a case of birds of the same colour flocking together? The Bible tells us that “every creature prefers its own kind, and people are no different. Just as animals of the same species flock together, so people keep company with people like themselves. A sinner has no more in common with a devout person than a wolf has with a lamb” (Sirach 13:15-17).

Probably this is another case in which we are told in the Bible that “when a rich man stumbles, his friends will steady him, but if a poor man falls, his friends will have nothing to do with him. When a rich man makes a mistake, there are many people to cover up for him and explain away all the things he never should have said. But let a poor man make a mistake, and he gets nothing but criticism. Even when what he says makes good sense, nobody will listen” (Sirach 13:21-22).

Rupiah’s accommodating of Chiluba is strange and raises a lot of questions about his judgement, his principles, standards and morality. It is only in Zambia where the head of state and government can openly keep company of, and have a reservation for, a person who has stolen such huge amounts of money from government coffers. And here we are not talking about the criminal matter that is still with our courts pending judgment. We are talking about judgment that has been passed by a competent court that is recognised, accepted and respected by our government.

We are talking about the London High Court judgment which our government is trying to register in this country and localise. This is more than enough evidence to prove and justify Chiluba’s corruption, his theft of public funds. One doesn’t need to wait for the judgment that will come on July 20 from our magistrates’ court. The purpose of that judgment will not be to prove whether Chiluba is a thief or not. Its purpose will be to decide whether or not Chiluba should be sent to jail or not for his theft. The issue of Chiluba stealing public funds has been settled. And no one will unsettle it. This being the case, there is no way Rupiah can claim that he is dealing with an innocent Chiluba until the courts of law prove him otherwise. Yes, there is a presumption of innocence in our magistrates’ court where Chiluba was being tried for theft. But that’s where it ends. We say this because in an action initiated by this same government in the London High Court, Chiluba has been found to be a thief.

The truth is if you are a supporter of Rupiah and you go round exalting his name, no one will touch you. All your crimes will be ignored or forgiven. But immediately you start to question or denounce Rupiah’s decisions and actions, then everything changes – you become a criminal even if you have committed no crime. This is what everything boils down to when one examines Rupiah’s attitude towards wrongdoing and corruption. That’s why today in this country if you stand on weak ground, if you have some skeletons or even a small bone from a skeleton in your closet, you cannot utter a word against Rupiah or those close to him.

For this reason, as long as Chiluba continues to speak for and support Rupiah, his crimes will be ignored and may even be forgiven. And Chiluba knows this and that’s why he is doing and saying everything he can in support of Rupiah. After all, Chiluba made it clear to the nation that he doesn’t just support people for the sake of it, there has to be something in it for him to do so. And this may explain why in 2006 when the Patriotic Front and Michael Sata promised to stop all criminal proceedings against Chiluba and his friends if they won the elections, Chiluba threw his weight behind Sata and PF.

Chiluba was everywhere exalting Sata and flashing PF symbols. On election day in 2006, Chiluba said that they were going to vote in the good and vote out the bad. In this case, the good being Sata and PF and the bad was Levy Mwanawasa and the MMD. But in last October’s election, Sata changed his mind and declared that he was not going to protect corrupt elements like Chiluba from criminal prosecutions. And that marked the end of Chiluba’s support for Sata and the PF because it was clear that there was nothing in it for him. Chiluba turned to Rupiah and the MMD where there was something in it for him.

There is need for Rupiah to consider the feelings and sensitivities of the Zambian people. It was the Zambian people who asked Levy and Parliament to strip Chiluba of his immunity, investigate his crimes and prosecute him. And this government did. They secured a favourable judgment in London. And here at home, they managed to get him at least on his defence, he was found with a case to answer. And his wife, Regina, has been convicted by our magistrates’ court for receiving stolen money from Chiluba. This certainly says something about Chiluba’s criminality. He is not an innocent man that the Zambian President and government should be parading around or keeping company with.

And as Rodger Chongwe has correctly observed, it is unethical for Rupiah to be interacting publicly with a disgraced criminal like Chiluba, a man who this government took to court and was found to be a thief, a man who is still facing criminal charges in our courts of law as a result of his corruption and theft of public funds.

We know we are probably the last voice Rupiah would listen to. And this doesn’t bother us. What bothers us is his inability, unwillingness to listen even to his good friends, people who campaigned for him in the last election. If he can’t listen to us, let him listen to his supporters. And Chongwe supported him during the last election. So he can’t accuse him of malice, hatred or opposition to him. Let him mull over things and seriously consider the issues Chongwe is raising. Chongwe says: “It is unethical domestically and internationally for a head of state to interact with a former head of state who is under the crowd of criminal cases and whose case is being handled by a competent court of law. It is not because it is President Banda. Even if it was another president, my viewpoint would not have changed.”

Anyway, that’s the way things stand. Probably we may just have to fall back on what Abraham Lincoln once said: “Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character – give him power.”

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It’s unethical for Rupiah to interact with disgraced Chiluba – Chongwe

It’s unethical for Rupiah to interact with disgraced Chiluba – Chongwe
Written by Patson Chilemba

LUSAKA lawyer Dr Rodger Chongwe yesterday charged that it is unethical for President Rupiah Banda to be interacting publicly with a disgraced leader like Chiluba who is crowded with criminal cases.

In an interview, Dr Chongwe said the recent interaction between President Banda and former president Frederick Chiluba raised a lot of questions in peoples minds especially that the former president was facing corruption allegations. He said it was inappropriate for President Banda to be interacting with Chiluba before the corruption cases he was facing were be disposed off.

“It’s very difficult for right-thinking people in Zambia for Mr Chiluba who is appearing before the court to be appearing with the President and being paraded by senior army officers. It puts senior officers in an embarrassment because Mr Chiluba, although not convicted, is a disgraced leader. He is facing charges of stealing,” Dr Chongwe said. “It is unethical domestically and internationally for a head of state to interact with a former head of state who is under the crowd of criminal cases and whose case is being handled by a competent court of law. It's not because it is President Banda. Even if it was another President, my viewpoint would not have changed.”

Dr Chongwe said any President wanting to reconcile with Chiluba should first come to terms with the Zambian people who have sued Chiluba and whose rights he grossly abused.

“It raises a lot of questions in the minds of many people. What he should not forget is that there are many people in Zambia today who have relatives either still living or dead whose human rights were grossly violated by Mr. Chiluba and the courts of law in some cases have so held,” said Dr Chongwe. “So any head of state who wants to come to terms with Mr Chiluba must first of all come to terms with the victims of Mr Chiluba.”

On information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha's statement that God will answer Chiluba's prayers, Dr Chongwe said there was a perception in some religious organisations - particularly the born again churches - that when someone was president then they were put there by God and therefore beyond the jurisdiction of man.

However, Dr Chongwe said talks about pardoning Chiluba could not arise now because he had not been convicted by the courts of law.

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Friday, March 20, 2009

Chiluba, Rupiah flock together

Chiluba, Rupiah flock together
Written by Editor

It is difficult to understood or appreciate what Rupiah Banda sees in Frederick Chiluba. Chiluba is certainly a moral and political liability to Rupiah.
Why should Rupiah keep company of a man who robbed the government he leads?

Rupiah’s government is today trying to get the London High Court judgment registered in the High Court of Zambia so that it can be effected on Chiluba. The London High Court found Chiluba to have stolen public funds and has ordered that this money be recovered from Chiluba’s assets. And once this London High Court judgment is registered here, its status will be as if it was issued by the High Court of Zambia, in all respects it will rank as a judgment of our own courts of law.

So, as far as Rupiah’s government is concerned, Chiluba is a thief who has stolen Zambian taxpayers’ money, and millions of dollars for that matter. But look at the respect he is receiving from Rupiah! Look at how warm Rupiah and his friends are towards Chiluba! And compare this to the way Rupiah is treating Ng’andu Magande who has not stolen a single ngwee or cent from the Zambian government. Look at Rupiah’s hostility towards Magande! Listen to Rupiah’s denunciations of Magande! Look at the way Rupiah’s cadres are calling for Magande’s blood, his suspension and expulsion from the MMD! But look at the way the same cadres are treating Chiluba. And today Chiluba is boasting of his MMD membership. Nobody is threatening to suspend him or expel him from the party for being a corrupt person who has stolen Zambian taxpayers’ money!

Look at how hostile Rupiah is towards those connected to Zambian Airways! Listen to or read the propaganda that Rupiah and his friends are churning out every day in the state media and on the internet against The Post, accusing us to have pocketed US $30 million! Compare this to the way they are treating Chiluba and his friends who are proved thieves and who the government is trying to recover millions of dollars from!

What impression does Rupiah’s keeping of Chiluba’s company create in the minds of our people? Can this be seen as a healthy relationship that should be encouraged? Will it be wrong for anyone to insinuate or conclude that this is a case of birds of the same colour flocking together? The Bible tells us that “every creature prefers its own kind, and people are no different. Just as animals of the same species flock together, so people keep company with people like themselves. A sinner has no more in common with a devout person than a wolf has with a lamb” (Sirach 13:15-17).

Probably this is another case in which we are told in the Bible that “when a rich man stumbles, his friends will steady him, but if a poor man falls, his friends will have nothing to do with him. When a rich man makes a mistake, there are many people to cover up for him and explain away all the things he never should have said. But let a poor man make a mistake, and he gets nothing but criticism. Even when what he says makes good sense, nobody will listen” (Sirach 13:21-22).

Rupiah’s accommodating of Chiluba is strange and raises a lot of questions about his judgement, his principles, standards and morality. It is only in Zambia where the head of state and government can openly keep company of, and have a reservation for, a person who has stolen such huge amounts of money from government coffers. And here we are not talking about the criminal matter that is still with our courts pending judgment. We are talking about judgment that has been passed by a competent court that is recognised, accepted and respected by our government. We are talking about the London High Court judgment which our government is trying to register in this country and localise. This is more than enough evidence to prove and justify Chiluba’s corruption, his theft of public funds. One doesn’t need to wait for the judgment that will come on July 20 from our magistrates’ court. The purpose of that judgment will not be to prove whether Chiluba is a thief or not. Its purpose will be to decide whether or not Chiluba should be sent to jail or not for his theft. The issue of Chiluba stealing public funds has been settled. And no one will unsettle it. This being the case, there is no way Rupiah can claim that he is dealing with an innocent Chiluba until the courts of law prove him otherwise. Yes, there is a presumption of innocence in our magistrates’ court where Chiluba was being tried for theft. But that’s where it ends. We say this because in an action initiated by this same government in the London High Court, Chiluba has been found to be a thief.

The truth is if you are a supporter of Rupiah and you go round exalting his name, no one will touch you. All your crimes will be ignored or forgiven. But immediately you start to question or denounce Rupiah’s decisions and actions, then everything changes – you become a criminal even if you have committed no crime. This is what everything boils down to when one examines Rupiah’s attitude towards wrongdoing and corruption. That’s why today in this country if you stand on weak ground, if you have some skeletons or even a small bone from a skeleton in your closet, you cannot utter a word against Rupiah or those close to him.

For this reason, as long as Chiluba continues to speak for and support Rupiah, his crimes will be ignored and may even be forgiven. And Chiluba knows this and that’s why he is doing and saying everything he can in support of Rupiah. After all, Chiluba made it clear to the nation that he doesn’t just support people for the sake of it, there has to be something in it for him to do so. And this may explain why in 2006 when the Patriotic Front and Michael Sata promised to stop all criminal proceedings against Chiluba and his friends if they won the elections, Chiluba threw his weight behind Sata and PF. Chiluba was everywhere exalting Sata and flashing PF symbols. On election day in 2006, Chiluba said that they were going to vote in the good and vote out the bad. In this case, the good being Sata and PF and the bad was Levy Mwanawasa and the MMD. But in last October’s election, Sata changed his mind and declared that he was not going to protect corrupt elements like Chiluba from criminal prosecutions. And that marked the end of Chiluba’s support for Sata and the PF because it was clear that there was nothing in it for him. Chiluba turned to Rupiah and the MMD where there was something in it for him.

There is need for Rupiah to consider the feelings and sensitivities of the Zambian people. It was the Zambian people who asked Levy and Parliament to strip Chiluba of his immunity, investigate his crimes and prosecute him. And this government did. They secured a favourable judgment in London. And here at home, they managed to get him at least on his defence, he was found with a case to answer. And his wife, Regina, has been convicted by our magistrates’ court for receiving stolen money from Chiluba. This certainly says something about Chiluba’s criminality. He is not an innocent man that the Zambian President and government should be parading around or keeping company with.

And as Rodger Chongwe has correctly observed, it is unethical for Rupiah to be interacting publicly with a disgraced criminal like Chiluba, a man who this government took to court and was found to be a thief, a man who is still facing criminal charges in our courts of law as a result of his corruption and theft of public funds.

We know we are probably the last voice Rupiah would listen to. And this doesn’t bother us. What bothers us is his inability, unwillingness to listen even to his good friends, people who campaigned for him in the last election. If he can’t listen to us, let him listen to his supporters. And Chongwe supported him during the last election. So he can’t accuse him of malice, hatred or opposition to him. Let him mull over things and seriously consider the issues Chongwe is raising. Chongwe says: “It is unethical domestically and internationally for a head of state to interact with a former head of state who is under the crowd of criminal cases and whose case is being handled by a competent court of law. It is not because it is President Banda. Even if it was another president, my viewpoint would not have changed.”

Anyway, that’s the way things stand. Probably we may just have to fall back on what Abraham Lincoln once said: “Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man’s character – give him power.”

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Tsvangirai's Accident with UK and US Aid

Tsvangirai's Accident with UK and US Aid
Posted: Monday, March 9, 2009

By Ayinde
March 09, 2009

The first Western news reports about the vehicular collision in Zimbabwe that claimed the life of Susan Tsvangirai and injured her husband, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, left many speculating that the accident could have been orchestrated by President Mugabe.

The Herald, the Zimbabwe state media, was the first to publish that the vehicle which collided with Tsvangirai's Toyota Landcruiser belonged to USAID -- an American 'charity' that operates in Zimbabwe. According to the Herald, the registration number of the vehicle is "one of those allocated to the American Embassy technical support staff vehicles."

In a subsequent report in the Guardian UK we learnt that the driver of the truck was employed using money from a British development agency.

With this information in the public domain, it became extremely difficult to pin the blame on Robert Mugabe and as of today, there are media reports from the UK's Foreign Office spokeswoman stating the smash-up was an accident.

"We can confirm that the truck was operated by a project jointly funded by the United States and United Kingdom," a Foreign Office spokeswoman said. "All indications are that this was a genuine accident." --news.morningstar.com

Why are they so quickly calling this a genuine accident?

There were many commentators who speculated that this accident was the work of Mugabe's henchmen to get rid of his rival, Tsvangirai. Why was it not possible that the US and or UK bothched an 'accident' in an attempt get rid of Tsvangirai for forming a unity government with Robert Mugabe? Why was it not possible that an individual or group aligned with the White settlers tried to kill Tsvangirai in order to derail the 'unity government'? We know that many were against him for eventually agreeing to be part of the 'unity' government.

I expect that the government of Zimbabwe would thoroughly investigate this accident; they should call on governments from the southern African states to assist or independently investigate the crash.

Yes, it could be an accident, but we should be suspicious amidst reports of US and UK 'charity' involvement and especially so because of the British haste to call this a genuine accident.

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(TALKZIMBABWE) West divided over Zimbabwe policy

West divided over Zimbabwe policy
Philip Murombedzi
Fri, 20 Mar 2009 05:19:00 +0000

WESTERN countries are divided on what policy to adopt after the formation of the inclusive Government in Zimbabwe with Nordic countries taking a lead in shifting policy on the country, while Britain, United States and their allies say they will take a ‘cautious approach’ in supporting the new Government.

Nordic countries like Denmark and Sweden have expressed willingness to work with the inclusive Government. Denmark became the first Western country to initiate dialogue with Zimbabwe as the country embarks on a journey to end nearly a decade of international isolation.

Danish Co-operation Minister Ulla Tornaes arrived in Harare on Tuesday on a mission to assess progress in the implementation of Zimbabwe’s power-sharing agreement and explore areas of cooperation between the two countries. The country has pledged to look into how it can assist with payment of civil servants’ salaries.

"I am very impressed by the way the new inclusive Government is addressing the issue of the economy and I am very impressed by the way the Minister of Finance described how the new inclusive Government will bring this country back on track in terms of the economy," said Tornaes.

Swedish Development Aid Minister Gunilla Carlsson said in a statement that the country was willing to work with Zimbabwe and commended the formation of the inclusive Government. The country immediately announced a US$10.5 million package to fight the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe, among other initiatives.

Portugal on Thursday urged the European Union to re-engage Zimbabwe while Japan has indicated that it will lift travel bans on Zimbabwe because it is a safe tourist destination..

Portuguese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Joao Da Camara said the EU should re-engage Zimbabwe in the wake of the formation of the inclusive Government.

Mr Da Camara said the inclusive Government presented an opportunity for the normalisation of relations between Zimbabwe and the E.U. bloc.

Speaking to journalists after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Joice Mujuru at her Munhumutapa Offices in Harare yesterday, Mr Da Camara pledged to strengthen relations between Harare and Lisbon.

BRITAIN, US SKEPTIC

Britain and the United States have, however, expressed scepticism about Zimbabwe's new inclusive Government

Although Britain seems to be shifting policy on Zimbabwe, it has not opened diplomatic channels of communication with the inclusive Government. Although the country’s Africa Minister, Lord Malloch Brown said he had been convinced by African leaders at a summit in Ethiopia that the new government must be given a chance, little has been done by way of initiating dialogue with Harare.

"I think the one message I've got loud and clear from this summit, and I'm very sympathetic to it, is we've got to give this a go, we've got to all do our best to support it, because the needs of Zimbabweans are so overwhelming," he told BBC radio in an interview from Addis Ababa last month.

"We're sceptical but we've got to try and help this work," he said, saying Britain and others would be generous donors if the agreement succeeded.

Malloch Brown said Britain is not ready to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe until they see “proof on the ground”.

“we are not going to completely put away our stick, if you like, until we're convinced it is" making real progress.

The new Obama administration has dropped its public demand for President Mugabe to step down but has extended sanctions imposed under the Zimbabwe Democracy Recovery Act (Zidera) passed in 2002, for another year.

On Thursday U.S. State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters that the Obama administration was not ready to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe.
He said the inclusive Government had “a long way to go” before the illegal sanctions imposed on the country are lifted.

"We have not yet seen sufficient evidence from the government of Zimbabwe that they are firmly and irrevocably on a path to inclusive and effective governance, and as well as respect for human rights and the rule of law,".

He added: "So that government has a long way to go before we will consider ... easing sanctions with that government. We're not in any kind of discussion with ... the government of Zimbabwe on removing our ... sanctions.

"With regard to the government, it's got a long way to go before we will look at removing any ... sanctions."

MUGABE CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF SANCTIONS

President Mugabe on Thursday appealed to Western sanctions to remove these punitive sanctions against Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the launch of the Short Term Economic Recovery Program (STERP) at the Rainbow Towers Hotel (formerly Sheraton) in Zimbabwe, the president said: "To the European Union and the United States, I appeal for the removal of your sanctions which are inhumane, cruel and unwarranted."

"We also wish to appeal to all those countries which wish us to succeed to support our national endeavour to turn around our economy," he added.

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(HERALD) Govt plans to develop SMEs

Govt plans to develop SMEs
Business Reporter

GOVERNMENT is planning to develop industrial, marketing clusters and special zones to facilitate coherent development in the small and medium enterprise business sector.

According to the Short Term Economic Recovery Programme, these clusters and special zones will assist particularly SMEs to mobilise bank finance, group marketing, bulk sourcing of raw materials, quality control and access to other business development services.

Government will ensure that the Small Enterprises Development Corporation will be adequately recapitalised in order to play its role of financing, training and providing incubation to SMEs.

The financial sector will also be mobilised to provide financial loans in order to improve product design and technology, common branding, marketing, research and development activities.

Special zones will be targeted at attracting investment to specially identified sectors of the economy for enhanced productivity and growth.

The specially designated zones will take account of proximity to critical amenities such as roads, rail, and air transport, as well as water among other facilities.

The maintenance of such infrastructure will also be prioritised.

In order to support the policy formulation process and provide clarity on the role and contribution of SMEs to the economic growth and development of the country, the Government will carry out a census of SMEs.

The information attained from the census will be used to create a database covering a wide range of issues such as the spread, concentration and number of SMEs, employment, product varieties and all other relevant economic indicators including their contribution to overall economic growth.

Development partners and key stakeholders will be part of this project.

The relationship between small, medium and large-scale enterprises will be fostered through incentives to enable small firms to access mentorship from large firms.

Such linkages will range from supply contracts and other sub-contracting activities to joint ventures.

Government will support the establishment of a Business Links Office, which will offer advice, information, training and such other business support services for purposes of facilitating these linkages. This would go a long way towards supporting investment and growth in small to medium enterprises.

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(HERALD) British, Americans behaving suspiciously

British, Americans behaving suspiciously

EDITOR — At first I was one of those who rushed to dismiss Tsholotsho North Member of the House of Assembly Professor Jonathan Moyo’s call for a probe into the activities of the United States Agency for International Development because I could not see any connection between the shooting of Air Marshal Perrance Shiri and the Tsvangirai tragedy.

Questions raised by Prof Moyo compel us to consider the possibility that the British and the Americans are behaving rather suspiciously about the accident.

For the American Embassy to disown the truck and the driver was not only silly but also alarming.

Why did the British Foreign Office rush to declare that the accident was genuine when they are so far away?

Perhaps the Prime Minister’s speech to Parliament shocked the enemies of the inclusive Government outside the country.

Kurauone Chihwayi.

Harare.

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(HERALD) Gono hails Biti on new economic policy

Gono hails Biti on new economic policy
Business Editor

RESERVE Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono has applauded the Ministry of Finance for crafting an economic programme set to transform the country’s fortunes, stressing that the central bank stands ready to play its part.

"The Reserve Bank welcomes this policy thrust and commits to vigorously work with the Ministry of Finance and all other arms of Government, as well as the private sector to make sure this programme registers success.

"The Hon. Minister of Finance’s (Tendai Biti’s) thrust on capacity enhancement in our productive sectors, as well as an incisive focus on social safety nets are all robust policy anchors that should see us emerge a much more self-reliant and equitable economy," said Dr Gono.

It was important, that the thrust should now shift to "nothing else but implementation".

He commended the Finance Minister for his firm stance against "wasteful" spending in line ministries, parastatals and local authorities.

In his budget review statement on Wednesday, Minister Biti stressed the need for ministries to exercise fiscal discipline, stressing that Government would only spend what was in its coffers.

The cash-budgeting system would only see expenditures matched strictly with revenue collected.

"If all sectors of the economy take heed, without doubt, our limited resources will take us over a much longer distance, while current efforts to get external support materialise," said Dr Gono.

The central bank was already in the process of re-aligning the national payments system so it could handle the multi-currency framework.

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(HERALD) Namibia in flood emergency

Namibia in flood emergency
The Namibian.

WINDHOEK - For the second time in just over a year, President Hifikepunye Pohamba has declared an emergency because of the floods in north and northeastern Namibia.

"The current floods could be one of the worst such disasters in recent memory. Certainly, it is worse than the floods that occurred last year when I declared an emergency situation in the affected areas," Pohamba told a media briefing at the old State House in Windhoek on Wednesday.

Pohamba confirmed that 92 people have drowned while citizens in the Caprivi and Kavango have fallen victim to attacks by crocodiles and hippos.

"The destructive nature of the floods is apparent for all to see. This is indeed one of the most destructive forces of nature," the Head of State said.

Last year at the same time, Pohamba also declared an emergency when government failed to deal with the floods in the same areas.

Floods have caused extensive destruction to homes, schools, health facilities, mahangu and maize fields, businesses as well as infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

"The floods have caused a setback to Government efforts to strengthen food security by assisting subsistence farmers to produce more staple food," Pohamba said yesterday.

During the planting season, government provided subsidies to farmers to buy seeds and they were also assisted with ploughing and planting.

"We had high hopes that these joint efforts by our government and the farmers, coupled with early rains in crop-growing areas, would result in a bumper harvest during the 2008-2009 season. — The Namibian.

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Zimbabwe police arrest farmer over Tsvangirai accident video footage

COMMENT - They are now trying to spin, quoting unnamed sources, that the driver of the truck was 'a CIO operative'. The problem with that allegation, is that all fingers point to the white farmers/UK/USA on this issue. Right down from the denial of the lifting of sanctions, to the Prime Minister's statement that land reform will not be turned back, to the crash truck's John Snow International ownership and USAID mission, to now the presence of the picture taking VP of the CFU on the scene, before the arrival of the police. And it could still be an accident, but this is just suspicious.

Zimbabwe police arrest farmer over Tsvangirai accident video footage
Written by George Chellah in Harare
Friday, March 20, 2009 3:54:45 PM

ZIMBABWEAN Police have arrested a commercial farmer, Deon Theron who was found taking video footage at the accident scene where Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's wife died.

Theron was the first person to arrive at the accident scene and is alleged to have taken video footage of the crash before the police arrived. Police chief spokesperson senior assistant commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed Theron's arrest.

"We have arrested Theron and he is in police custody. He will appear in court on Thursday," Bvudzijena said.

In a latest twist of events, the country's Commercial Farmers Union (CFU), a white farmers' association, has allegedly been implicated in the accident.

Theron, 54 who is the vice-president of the union, is facing charges of obstructing police officers during their duty.

It is believed that Theron had been phoned by some MDC officials just after the news of the accident had spread and he arrived at the scene before police because his farm was within that area.

It is also believed that Theron was tasked to film the accident scene to provide an independent record in case of an inquiry.

Zimbabwean state media on Monday questioned how a team led by Theron was able to be at the scene of the crash, before the police.

Theron and his team had been promptly arrested by police and their photographic equipment seized, before being released later on.

It has also turned out that John Snow International (JSI), a contracting company that owns the ‘killer truck' is headquartered at Agriculture House in Marlborough suburb in Harare.

This building is the headquarters of the Commercial Farmers Union.

However, CFU chief executive officer Hendrik Olivier, in reaction to state The Herald newspaper story, said the article bore no truth.

"On Tuesday 17 March 2009 the Herald newspaper carried a front page article ‘CFU Implicated in Tsvangirai Crash'. The Union is consulting with its legal representative on the article as in our opinion the article bears no truth. We will take the necessary legal action should this be advised and members will be kept informed," Olivier stated.

The union confirmed that its vice-president Theron was called by the Criminal Investigation Department Law and Order Unit of the Zimbabwe Republic Police for questioning regarding the taking of photographs at the site of the Prime Minister's accident.

Olivier stated that Theron had been taken into custody and was being held at Rhodesville Police Station on what would appear charges of "defeating the cause of justice."

There has been controversy surrounding the accident that claimed Prime Minister Tsvangirai's wife, Susan, about two weeks ago, with former information minister and Tsholotsho North independent member of parliament Professor Jonathan Moyo calling for international investigation into the activities of USAID in Zimbabwe.

Prof Moyo's observations forced the US embassy in Harare to deny ownership of the truck that killed the Prime Minister's wife despite the truck bearing US embassy plates.

Another USAID driver, Frank Muchirahondo, is currently facing charges for attempting to assassinate Air Force of Zimbabwe commander, Air Marshal Perence Shiri.

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Witness links Rupiah’s son Henry to RP Capital

Witness links Rupiah’s son Henry to RP Capital
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Friday, March 20, 2009 3:41:44 PM

PANGEA Renaissance Securities Limited chief executive officer Caesar Siwale yesterday told the tribunal that President Rupiah Banda's son, Henry, asked his company to provide support to RP Capital transaction over the valuation of Zamtel assets. And the tribunal has cautioned the media to desist from coining sensational and misleading headlines on stories relating to the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) David Kapitolo told the tribunal that he saw nothing wrong with the criteria that the evaluation committee used in evaluating the tender for Thales Air Services.

This is in a matter where former communications and transport minister William Harrington and ten civil society organisations had asked Chief Justice Ernest Sakala to set up a tribunal to investigate alleged corruption and abuse of office involving communications and transport minister Dora Siliya.

During examination-in-chief led by one of the petitioners' lawyers Wynter Kabimba, Caesar Siwale said Henry approached him in November last year and asked him if Pangea Securities could provide some support to RP Capital Limited over the Zamtel transaction.

Siwale said his company also undertakes valuation of companies and institutions apart from being a stock brokerage firm.

"We did have some discussions with Mr Henry Banda regarding RP Capital and the Zamtel transaction," Siwale said in response to Kabimba's question on whether his company had received any enquiry from any individual or company over RP Capital. "The discussion was whether we can provide any support in the transaction given that we had an operation within the country that provides similar services."

Siwale said Henry made the request on behalf of RP Capital Partners Limited verbally.

However, he said he could not exactly recall where the discussion took place, because he has had several discussions with Henry in different places.

Siwale said he had known Henry for close to eight or nine years and he described him as a friend of many years.

Asked if he knew Henry's parents, Siwale responded: "His father is His Excellency President Rupiah Banda."

Siwale said he was not aware if RP Capital Partners Limited was linked to any other company.

Siwale further said in examination-in-chief by another lawyer for the petitioners, Eddie Mwitwa, that he was not privy to what type of relationship existed between Henry and RP Capital Partners Limited.

In cross-examination by one of Siliya's lawyers, Eric Silwamba, Siwale said Henry was an adult and that he has had several discussions with him on various topics over the eight to nine years they have been acquaintances.

Earlier in the tribunal, National Airports Corporation (NAC) managing director testified that the corporation was apprehensive with the gratis [free] offer by Selex Sistemi Integrati to repair the obsolete radar equipment at Lusaka International Airport.

During examination-in-chief being led by Bonaventure Mutale, Misitala said the free offer from Selex was not very clear. Misitala was referring to a letter dated January 7, 2009 addressed to him from the acting director of Civil Aviation, informing him that Siliya had positively responded to the free ATM radar repair offer from Selex.

Misitala said NAC had some concerns over the Selex offer because apart from having hidden costs, which from their evaluation amounted to K26 billion, Selex was the same company that had supplied the radar equipment that has never worked since installation.

"Our conclusion as a corporation, my lord, was that the offer had hidden costs, which the corporation would not be able to meet," Misitala said. "It was not advisable to take up the offer unless our request, as earlier alluded to, were taken into consideration."

Misitala said Selex supplied the radar equipment at the Lusaka International Airport before it changed its name from Alenia Sistemi Marconi to Selex Sistemi Integrati.

"This is the company that came in February last year and indicated that the equipment was obsolete," Misitala said. "The other issue was that the offer was only referring to the radar head. Our concern was that unless the whole system is repaired, the system would not work."

Misitala said the other concern was that Selex had expressed interest in the other contract to purchase new radar equipment, which was still running.

He said on the last day of submission of the tender documents on the purchase of the new radar equipment, Selex went to the NAC offices at Lusaka International Airport to submit their bid document and asked officers there if they could call the then Zambia National Tender Board (ZNTB) and tell them that Selex had taken documents to a wrong place.

"To which we declined and requested them if they could rush to ZNTB," Misitala said.

He said after the letter of January 7, 2009 he had an opportunity to meet the acting director of Civil Aviation and Siliya in the absence of the then permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Dr Eustern Mambwe.

"We agreed that 'since the installation of the radar facility was still ongoing, why don't we just allow Selex to go ahead in that the offer is free'," he said. "On 26 January 2009, we received a letter from the office of the Honourable minister, which was accepting the free offer."

He said in the same letter, NAC were requested to receive the Selex staff and facilitate their repairs of the radar.

Misitala said Selex was currently working on the radar but that while they contractually agreed to take about two weeks in the undertaking, they had indicated that they needed a month and half to complete the repair.

In cross-examination by Silwamba, Misitala said the tender for the purchase of the new radar facility had not been cancelled, as alleged.

And ruling on a complaint by Mutale over a headline in yesterday's Times of Zambia, which read: "Tender Director Exonerates Siliya", tribunal chairperson judge Dennis Chirwa said he had observed that some newspaper headlines on the tribunal proceedings were misleading and sensational.

Mutale had asked the tribunal to guide the media in view of the Times of Zambia headline, which he said was biased. He said even though he was aware that the tribunal could not be swayed by such headlines, there was need for the media to be objective for the sake of the observing public.

Silwamba said the caution should be given to all media institutions because he had also noted some misleading headlines that he had ignored. Silwamba said he was aware that it were editors that usually couched headlines and not reporters.

Judge Chirwa asked Mutale if he had seen the headline in yesterday's Post newspaper.

"Mr. Mutale you are complaining about the headline in the Times of Zambia but have you seen the headlines in The Post? Does judge Chitengi's comments deserve such a headline?"

The headline judge Chirwa referred to read: "Judge Chitengi Warns Dora Against Nodding Witnesses". But Mutale said he had not seen yesterday's Post.

In his ruling, judge Chirwa cautioned the media against framing sensational and misleading headlines just for the sake of selling their newspapers.

He said the tribunal was not trying to gag the media but that it was important for the media to be professional and objective in their work over the tribunal's proceedings.

Meanwhile, during examination-in-chief led by Kabimba on Wednesday, Kapitolo explained that the valuation procedure and criteria used to arrive at a bidder was clearly stated in the solicitation document and that a tender could be cancelled if evaluation criteria was not adhered to.

He said the evaluation committee adhered to the evaluation criteria and he saw nothing wrong with the evaluation criteria plus the recommended bidder Thales Air Systems.

Kapitolo told the tribunal that the Central Tender Committee (CTC) was the final adjudicating committee over procurement entities. He said the CTC was an interim committee responsible for granting authority to procurement entities on procurements above their thresholds.

Kapitolo broke down the procurement entities as entities in government organisations, parastatal organisations, ministries and the local councils.

He said the CTC would be in existence for two years and after that tender committees in various institutions would adjudicate all issues relating to procurement.

Kapitolo testified that if a procurement entity granted a tender above its threshold, it would - according to the law - be guilty of misprocurement and the procurement officer would be taken to task over such misprocurement.

Asked whether the controlling officer would be surcharged in such a case, Kapitolo said if such a scenario went on for more than three times, its functions would be moved to another procurement entity.

Kapitolo told the tribunal that a permanent secretary or chief executive officer of a procurement entity could not vary the decision of the CTC.

He said the CTC could rescind its decision in instances where maybe a procurement entity was not granted authority for a tender and such an entity got back to the CTC and the arguments were found to be plausible.

Kapitolo said after the CTC communicated their approval to a procurement entity, what they expected was a contract.

He said there have been instances of malpractices in tender processes by procurement entities and the permanent secretary responsible for a particular procurement entity handled such complaints.

Kapitolo told the tribunal that Thales Air Services was awarded the tender for radar at Lusaka International and Livingstone airports and later he received a letter from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Transport requesting that the tender be cancelled.

He testified that according to the letter he received, the tender was to be cancelled because of instructions from Siliya.

Kapitolo said this was not the first document he had received concerning cancellation of the tender as he had earlier on received instructions from Siliya to cancel the tender.

He told the tribunal that he regarded the communication from Siliya requesting for the cancellation of the tender as informal because such matters had to go through the permanent secretary. Kapitolo testified that he told Siliya by word of mouth to write to him through the permanent secretary.

He said he did not respond to Siliya's 'informal' letter because the reasons she gave to cancel the tender were not compelling enough or plausible.

Kapitolo was made to read a letter he wrote to the Ministry of Communications and Transport on behalf of ZPPA on their position on the cancellation of the tender.

He told the tribunal that none of the people he copied his letter to on ZPPA's position on the tender sent reactions disagreeing with his decision. Kapitolo said to date he had not received any enquiries from the police, Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC).

Kapitolo said he received a letter from a concerned taxpayer alleging that some procurement staff at the Ministry of Communications and Transport colluded with Thales Air Services in the award of the tender and that there was something wrong in the evaluation of the tender.

He said he gave the letter to the investigative wings at the procurement entity and after the investigation, they found that there was nothing sinister about the tender process involving Thales Air Services and everything was done according to criteria.

In examination by lawyer Willie Mubanga, Kapitolo testified that there was transparency and accountability in the tender process that finally recommended Thales Air Systems.

In cross-examination by Silwamba, Kapitolo said Siliya did not cancel the tender in question.

Hearing continues.

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Govt to increase stake in mines

Govt to increase stake in mines
Written by Fridah Zinyama
Friday, March 20, 2009 3:39:41 PM

MINES minister Maxwell Mwale yesterday said it has been difficult for the government to exert any meaningful influence or have any say in operations of mining companies with shareholding of less than 25 per cent.

In an interview, Mwale explained that the government’s decision to increase its stake in mining companies would change the scenario, giving it an upper hand in participating in the operations of the sector.

“The first mine that government is going to increase its stake in is Luanysha Copper Mines (LCM),” he said. “We are actively looking for investors for this mine and once an acceptable one is found, government will sell about 75 per cent and remain with 25 per cent,” he said.

Already, Zhonghui Mining, a Chinese mining company, has shown interest in taking over operations of LCM which is currently under care and maintenance.

Mwale explained that at the moment, his ministry and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning were working on modalities that would help the government increase its stake in other mining companies which had also been placed under care and maintenance.

“We realised that the decision to own less than 25 per cent shares in the mining companies worked against us, as we did not have much say on investment decisions which were being made and our influence as government was equally limited,” said Mwale.

Early this week, Copperbelt University (CBU) professor in the School of Business John Lungu welcomed the government’s decision to increase its stake in mining companies from 15 per cent to 25 per cent, saying this would help the sector survive the current economic problems.

“The private sector is driven by high profit margins and it is normal for them to want to withdraw in times of economic recession,” said Prof Lungu in an interview. “On the other hand, government is more interested in providing social services to its people. This is why in such economic times, government’s decision to increase its stake is welcome as it will help the private sector to share the burden of high production costs.”

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Cuba reduces industrial ventilation, cooling appliances imports

Cuba reduces industrial ventilation, cooling appliances imports
Written by Larry Moonze in Havana, Cuba
Friday, March 20, 2009 3:38:07 PM

CUBA has reduced industrial ventilation and cooling appliances imports by 50 per cent since the opening of Frioclima factory in 1992.

Frioclima director general Gladys Maria Balado on Tuesday said the factory, which falls under the Ministry of Steel and Mechanic Industry, produces 207 models ranging from 2.5 kilowatts to 2,255 kilowatts refrigeration equipments.

“This is the only factory in the country but has so far provided 48,454 installations countrywide,” Balado said. “Our objective is to substitute imports and so far we have managed to satisfy about 50 per cent of national demand.”

She said the effort now was on reinvestment so as to modernise the factory and enhance production. The factory uses German technology.

Balado said their products were currently in use in 37 hospitals, 19 pharmaceutical industries, 72 hotels and 73 other sectors of the economy across the country.

She said the only headache had been the US-led economic and commercial sanctions that caused some 25 to 30 per cent production costs, which in 2008 alone, increased to US $1.3 million.

Balado said production costs were affected because Cuba had to import raw materials from Europe due to the US embargo.

The factory requires steel, copper and aluminium for its production line.

On the effects of the global economic crisis, Balado said since the factory was aimed at import substitution, the crisis would not result in production decrease.

She said the need for ventilation and cooling appliances in Cuba was high because the island had a tropical climate.

“The heat here is aggravated by humidity hence these appliances are necessary,” Balado said. “We shall work hard to reduce costs and widen our source for raw materials.î

She said even though the machinery required modernisation, the current production line was first world standard.

Balado said the industry also had technical services brigades across the country for after-sale services.

“We have been developing production lines according to ecological cooling standards,” she said. “These range from smart control systems, remote supervision to no noise units.”

Balado said with planned investments, production would increase although she could not elaborate how much would be required for recapitalization.

“We are making studies,” said Balado. “As a matter of fact, this technology continues to change. All times there are advances in this sphere seeking energy efficient technology and as such we are obliged to permanently improve our lines by buying new machines or technology.”

The International Press Centre facilitated the tour of the Frioclima factory for Havana-based foreign correspondents.

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It’s unethical for Rupiah to interact with disgraced Chiluba – Chongwe

It’s unethical for Rupiah to interact with disgraced Chiluba – Chongwe
Written by Patson Chilemba
Friday, March 20, 2009 3:36:26 PM

LUSAKA lawyer Dr Rodger Chongwe yesterday charged that it is unethical for President Rupiah Banda to be interacting publicly with a disgraced leader like Chiluba who is crowded with criminal cases.

In an interview, Dr Chongwe said the recent interaction between President Banda and former president Frederick Chiluba raised a lot of questions in peoples minds especially that the former president was facing corruption allegations. He said it was inappropriate for President Banda to be interacting with Chiluba before the corruption cases he was facing were be disposed off.

“It’s very difficult for right-thinking people in Zambia for Mr Chiluba who is appearing before the court to be appearing with the President and being paraded by senior army officers. It puts senior officers in an embarrassment because Mr Chiluba, although not convicted, is a disgraced leader. He is facing charges of stealing,” Dr Chongwe said. “It is unethical domestically and internationally for a head of state to interact with a former head of state who is under the crowd of criminal cases and whose case is being handled by a competent court of law. It's not because it is President Banda. Even if it was another President, my viewpoint would not have changed.”

Dr Chongwe said any President wanting to reconcile with Chiluba should first come to terms with the Zambian people who have sued Chiluba and whose rights he grossly abused.

“It raises a lot of questions in the minds of many people. What he should not forget is that there are many people in Zambia today who have relatives either still living or dead whose human rights were grossly violated by Mr. Chiluba and the courts of law in some cases have so held,” said Dr Chongwe. “So any head of state who wants to come to terms with Mr Chiluba must first of all come to terms with the victims of Mr Chiluba.”

On information minister Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha's statement that God will answer Chiluba's prayers, Dr Chongwe said there was a perception in some religious organisations - particularly the born again churches - that when someone was president then they were put there by God and therefore beyond the jurisdiction of man.

However, Dr Chongwe said talks about pardoning Chiluba could not arise now because he had not been convicted by the courts of law.

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Levy left an indelible mark in Africa - Gambian consul

Levy left an indelible mark in Africa - Gambian consul
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Friday, March 20, 2009 3:34:58 PM

LEVY Mwanawasa left an indelible mark in Africa, The Gambia's new honorary consul to Zambia Dr Huja Gass Jaiteh Njie has said. And foreign affairs minister Kabinga Pande has called for exploitation of business opportunities among Africans.

Speaking after she received the diplomatic exequatur [or credentials] from Pande designating her as The Gambia's honorary consul to Zambia at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Njie said the late president Mwanawasa was a great friend of The Gambia and the African continent.

"I wish to formally commence and carry out my assignment forward in the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding which has always existed between our two countries and governments; working in partnership for the political and social economic development of our two countries and peoples and indeed the African continent. It is no surprise that Dr Kenneth Kaunda, first president of Zambia was one of the first African heads of state to visit The Gambia after our achievement of independence in 1965," Dr Njie said. "The memory of that historic visit is still cherished and celebrated by our two governments and people. Apart from giving us support and encouragement, the foundations and very basis of the very cordial relationship, which exist between our two countries were laid during that visit. They have been sustained and endured until now and are being strengthened progressively.

"Evidence of this is the visit to The Gambia by the late, third president of Zambia Dr Levy Mwanawasa, as guest of honour on our 43rd independence anniversary on 18th February, 2008. He has left an indelible mark on the progress of our countries and continent."

She observed that the relationship between Zambia and The Gambia had always been one of mutual understanding and respect for independence, integrity and sovereignty of the two countries.

"We share the same values and aspirations both at bilateral and international levels including regional co-operation at the continental level since the attainment of independence by our two countries," she said. "This is profoundly manifested in our common membership of the African Union (AU), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Commonwealth, the United Nations and several other regional and international organisations."

Dr Njie said she hoped that Zambia and The Gambia would identify areas of co-operation and assistance in mechanised agriculture and wildlife conservation including the manufacturing of agricultural implements and farming equipment, handicrafts and local industries to promote small indigenous businesses.

"Tourism, light manufacturing industries, youth and cultural development, education, judiciary, training and human resource development, health, particularly primary health care and the fight against HIV/AIDS which is devastating our continent and exchanges in other areas of common interest will doubtless be further identified in the laudable endeavour," Dr Njie said.

And Pande said Zambia and The Gambia enjoyed a warm relationship.

"Your role should contribute to the identification and exploitation of business opportunities in Zambia, thereby helping to strengthen the already existing bilateral relations and cooperation between Zambia and The Gambia," Pande said. "There has been this trend; I think it's a perception that we have as Africans that investment should only come from outside Africa. I think that is a wrong way of looking at things. African countries can invest in each other's country; we have people in The Gambia who can invest in Zambia and vice versa and therefore your appointment should ensure that at least this happens and this is how you will measure your success."

Pande said he had no doubt that Dr Njie's appointment coupled with her knowledge of the Zambian business environment placed her in a better position to ensure that cooperation between Zambia and The Gambia was heightened.

Dr Njie, a Gambian resident in Zambia, owns AT Dental Surgery Limited.

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