The Economic Partnership Agreement for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Council of Ministers has hit a deadlock over the implementation of the most favoured nation (MFN) clause, which is critical to the launch of the Comesa Customs Union (CU) slated for Sunday next week. ESA has stated that the MFN clause which favours certain developed Countries trading with COMESA member states be reviewed or excluded in its application to all developing Countries as it contravenes the World Trade Organisation rules that provide for South to South Cooperation. But Zambia’s Commerce and Industry Minister Felix Mutati has urged COMESA to unblock the deadlock on the conditions of the MFN clause if the Launch of the Customs Union was to succeed. Mr Mutati who is also the Chairperson of ESA was speaking in an Exclusive Interview with ZANIS in Zimbabwe’s Resort Town of Victoria Falls. He said the member states must unite and come up with a common stance that is comprehensive and support regional Integration. “Time has come for us to conclude and implement the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) as we have been discussing and far to long hence the need to conclude quickly to alleviate the Poverty levels in our various Countries” Said Mr. Mutati. He said Zambia’s exports to the European Union (EU) rose to US$5 billion , indicating the country’s significant economic development. Mr. Mutati called for the removal of all trade barriers between COMESA and the European Union. The European Union is the biggest importer of Zambia’s none traditional products, such as vegetables and flowers, hence the need to conclude the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement. Some Member States who are massively exporting to Asian Countries have strongly objected to the implementation of the MFN clause saying the MFN would injure the bilateral relationship exiting with these Countries. Others were agreeable to the implementation of the clause saying it would improve trade among the member states.[quote] Meanwhile Mr Mutati has revealed that a quarter of Zambia economic growth was as a result of the intra COMESA trade. He said COMESA was the bridge of the International Markets and urged member states to work towards achieving the regional integration through the Customs Union. He added that 70 % of Zambians growth was generated through exports with COMESA. 19 COMESA member states are expected to launch the CU on Sunday at a Summit under the theme Consolidating Regional Economic Integration Through Value Addition Trade and Food Security. ZANIS

Former James Bond actor Sir Roger
Moore has called for a stop to the sexual exploitation of
children around the world.

The ‘Live and Let die’ star, who is also a longterm
ambassador for UNICEF, has demanded that officials should
pursue paedophiles across international borders, Contact music
reported.

Speaking in Germany to publicise a new report for UNICEF,
the 81-year-old actor called for police to enter foreign
countries in a bid to catch abusers and put them behind bars.

“Childhood is being destroyed by sexual abuse, violence
and neglect. We must stop it. If we do nothing, our silence
would mean acceptance,” said Moore.

“I can hardly imagine a more shameful violation of the
rights of children as the deliberate exploitation of their
bodies by unscrupulous adults to serve their sexual appetite.

They destroy the childhood of their victims and do harm to them that lasts throughout their lives. Perpetrators must be
followed across borders,” he added.

Meanwhile the VICTIM Support Unit (VSU) recorded an increase in sexual violence against women and children on the Copperbelt in the first quota of 2009.

Copperbelt police chief commanding police officer, Antonel Mutentwa confirmed the development yesterday.

The Child Protection Unit recorded 45 child defilement cases , in the first quota of 2009, as compared to 40 cases in the first quota of 2008, with most of the cases having been recorded in remote areas.

Statistics obtained from the Victim Support Unit on sexual violence show that 15 rape cases, 1 attempted rape and 2 indecent assaults were reported from 1st January to 31st March this year.

Mr. Mutentwa said, last year in the first quota there were 11 rape cases, 2 attempted rapes and 1 indecent assault case recorded.

ZANIS

THE Zambia Union of Journalists has appealed to the Chinese Government through its embassy in Lusaka to commute the death sentence of Mary Musiyalike, a Zambian woman convicted for drug trafficking.

Ms Musiyalike, 38, a business executive of Lusaka was arrested with 2.5 kilogrammes of heroin at Putong International Airport in Shanghai on December 14 last year and sentenced to death by firing squad after she was convicted of drug trafficking by a court in China.

ZUJ president Morgan Chonya said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that Zambia and China had enjoyed very warm and cordial relations over the years.

“We appeal to the Republic of China Government to commute the death sentence of Ms Mary Masiyalike. The two countries have long bonds of friendship that should count for something.

“We therefore call on our comrades to revisit the verdict,” Mr Chonya said.
He said ZUJ was dismayed by the statement that the Zambian convict would be put to death through a firing squad at a date known by the prison authorities.

Mr Chonya said the statement was traumatising to the victim’s family and the Zambians at large.

He said it was the responsibility of the Government to ensure that every Zambian abroad received fair trial and felt safe as well as protected whether they were convicts or not.

He called upon the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the victim was extradited and served her term here in Zambia.

[Times of Zambia]

The Movement for Multi Party Democracy (MMD)leadership in Mwinilunga district has refuted media allegations leveled against Mwinilunga West MMD area Member of parliament Elijah Muchima of manipulating constituency elections.

Mr. Muchima who is also Deputy Information and Broadcasting Services Minister was accused in one of the daily tabloids of manipulating party elections by ferrying part officials from rural places to contest the district elections in the Boma.

This was contained in a press statement issued by MMD district secretary Jackson Chilengi and co-signed by Mwinilunga west chairman Edwin Sawomba, Mwinilunga west secretary Goodson Kapaku and MMD district treasure, while others included MMD district youth chairperson Daniel Manjomba.

The press statement stated that Mr. Muchima came to the aid of the party by contributing transport to ferry party officials in the quest to facilitate constituency elections.

The statement further stated that the party in the district had no means or capacity to carry out the constituency elections on its own hence it welcomed members of the party who wanted to contribute toward the successful holding of the constituency elections.

The MMD leadership wondered why Rodwell Chinyama issued defamatory remakes against the area member of parliament when Mr. chinyama was not an MMD party member or official.

Mr. Chilengi said through the press statement that the allegation leveled against Mr. Muchima were untrue and baseless.

The MMD Party has since appealed to Mr. Muchima dismiss the allegations labeled against him with the most contempt it deserves.

Mr. Chilengi said the remarks issued in the daily papers by Mr. Chinyama were aimed at destroying the image of the MMD party as well as tarnishing the name of Mwinilunga West area member of Parliament.

The statement read that Mr. Chinyama was not the district or party spokesperson to issue comments concerning the party matters as he belongs to The People’s Congress.

ZANIS