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Zambia: Levy, Sata Ceasefire
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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
15 May 2008
Posted to the web 15 May 2008
Anthony Mulowa
Ndola
THE reconciliation process between President Mwanawasa and Patriotic Front (PF) leader, Michael Sata yesterday moved a step further when the two held a one-on-one meeting at State House and pledged to work together.
President Mwanawasa described the event as one of the most important days in Zambia and his administration of six years.
Speaking at a joint Press briefing at State House shortly after the two leaders held a closed-door meeting for over an hour and a half, Dr Mwanawasa said he had always yearned for a day when the opposition would team up with him to develop the country.
"Today is one of the important days in Zambia and in my administration of six years. I have always wanted the opposition to work with me to develop this country.
"I am of the view that it is not right that we should be campaigning for five years and do nothing else to develop the country," he said.
Dr Mwanawasa said it was unfortunate that it had to take a serious illness for the two of them to realise that they needed each other.
Dr Mwanawasa said when he was informed by Health Permanent Secretary, Simon Miti that Mr Sata had suffered a heart attack, he was touched by the message despite the fact that in the past, Mr Sata was maliciously making governance difficult for him.
"When Simon Miti came to inform me that Mr Sata had developed a heart attack, when I was at the gym at Chamba Valley, I was so gripped with sadness.
"The news of the illness gripped me with sadness. I realised just how much I need him (Mr Sata). He is a good fellow to have around," he said.
Dr Mwanawasa said at that point he made some enquiries on Mr Sata's condition and asked Dr Miti to constantly keep him updated so that when the right time was due he could be evacuated to South Africa.
Dr Mwanawasa said Mr Sata did not have the passport at the time he was being evacuated as he failed to get in touch with Home Affairs Minister, Ronnie Shikapwasha. He said he, however, gave instructions to make arrangements for Mr Sata's travel.
The president said the return of Mr Sata marked a new beginning and he would be prepared to convene a meeting consisting of senior Government and party officials with the PF.
"This is what I have always wanted. I consider Zambia as mine, but it is not mine alone. It's for everyone of us. We must advance the interests of many. Insults do not build the country. Criticism, especially if misguided does not build," he said.
The president said all opposition political parties were welcome to dialogue with him and said Heritage Party president, Godfrey Miyanda was also free to consider his plea.
Dr Mwanawasa also said the Government would not repossess Mr Sata's passport.
Mr Sata said he decided to go to State House in person to thank Dr Mwanawasa for having saved his life by recommending his evacuation to South Africa when he suffered a heart attack on April 26.
"The main purpose we have come today is to come and say thank you to President Mwanawasa for the gesture he did, putting all things aside and deciding to take me to South Africa.
"I am entitled and everybody is entitled but somebody must make a decision at the right time. Somebody must make a decision and a correct one and at the right time but that person has to be well-informed," he said.
Mr Sata said Zambia provided leadership before and after independence and that it was still in a position to provide the same leadership.
Mr Sata said in a few years to come, President Mwanawasa would not be in office and another person would come in.
He said it was important that everyone, especially people in the opposition, sensitised the general public so that there could be a smooth and honourable transition.
He said he had indicated to President Mwanawasa that he did not intend to rejoin the MMD but just wanted to provide the president with the correct information.
"It is rare that the president gets accurate information from his ministers and we as the opposition criticise the poor man," he said.
He said yesterday was the beginning of dialogue between the Government and the PF.
Mr Sata said the PF wanted to help President Mwanawasa leave a good legacy when he left office so that people in the region did not just know and talk about the first president Kenneth Kaunda.
Mr Sata said that did not, however, mean that he would stop criticising Dr Mwanawasa's Government.
PF vice-president, Guy Scott, secretary-general, Edward Mumbi, chairman for local government, Wynter Kabimba and some MPs accompanied Mr Sata to State House.
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Defence Minister, George Mpombo, Information Minister, Mike Mulongoti, Foreign Affairs Minister, Kabinga Pande, Works and Supply Minister, Kapembwa Simbao, Agriculture Minister, Sarah Sayifwanda, Presidential Affairs Minister, Cecil Holmes and Southern Province Minister, Daniel Munkombwe also attended the Press briefing.
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| Copyright © 2008 The Times of Zambia. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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