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MMD suspends Mpondela

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MMD Lusaka Central Constituency Chairman, Elias Mpondela, has been suspended from the party.

This means that Mr. Mpondela will not perform party functions during the period of his suspension.

MMD Lusaka Province Information Publicity Secretary, Henry Mutiti, announced the suspension of Mr. Mpondela in a telephone interview with ZNBC News.

He said Mr.Mpondela was suspended on Saturday following an article in the Post Newspaper where he was quoted to have made remarks descrediting the leadership of President Rupiah Banda.

He said Mr. Mpondela’s suspension will only be lifted after he takes the Post Newspaper to court over the article.
[ZNBC]

2 pupils killed, 22 seriously injured as driver tries to avoid a pothole

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Two pupils of Mwavi High School in Luangwa District died, while 22 others were seriously injured when the vehicle they were in overturned along the Great East Road.

The accident happened on Sunday around 15 hours near Malilapondolo Basic School on Great East Road, as the pupils were traveling for ball games from Nyimba High School.

The driver of the Mazda vehicle, which was carrying the pupils, is alleged to have lost control as he tried to avoid a pothole a few kilometres to the Luangwa Bridge.

Mwavi High School Manager, Rodgers Mwansa, confirmed the incident to ZANIS in Chongwe yesterday.

Mr Mwansa said one Grade 10 pupil died on the spot while another Grade 11 boy died as he was being rushed to Nyimba hospital.

The injured victims are being treated at Katondwe Mission Hospital.

A check by ZANIS and the Parent Teachers Association, PTA, Chairperson, Solomon Chidunuka, at Katondwe Mission Hospital found Eight girls and Seven boys nursing head injuries and some minor injuries while five others have since been discharged.

One of the victims, Mercy Nyirenda, a Grade 12 pupil, narrated from her hospital bed that the vehicle overturned when the driver attempted to avoid a pothole.

Hospital authorities at Katondwe comfirmed having discharged five pupils and that others were still being observed for head injuries.

Meanwhile, Luangwa District Commissioner, Stanislaus Kalunga, and District Education Board Secretary, Liberatus Longwa, who rushed to Nyimba hospital confirmed to ZANIS that the two other injured boys, who were admitted at Nyimba hospital, have been transferred to Katondwe Hospital while the bodies of the deceased boys have been taken to Lusaka for postmortem.

Capt. Kalunga described the accident as unfortunate and warned school authorities against engaging unreliable vehicles to transport pupils for school activities.

ZANIS/MN/CMM/ENDS/SJK

Zambia to attract oil mining

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President Rupiah Banda ushers Chinese investors who were led by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin into State House for a meeting
President Rupiah Banda ushers Chinese investors who were led by Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quiangmin into State House for a meeting
The Zambian government will soon advertise blocks that

have been demarcated for Gas and Oil exploration in three regions.

Mines Minister, Maxwell Mwale, says the blocks are in North Western, Eastern and western provinces.

He was speaking in Lusaka when he met a group of Chinese investors from Zhobgui group and the State Grid Corporation of China.

The two Chinese companies have shown interest in doing mineral exploration works in Mwinilunga district in North -Western Province.

Zhonghui Guohua Industry (Group) Limited and State Grid International Development made their intentions to invest in Mwinilunga during a meeting with Mines and Minerals Development Minister Maxwell Mwale and Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Felix Mutati in Lusaka yesterday.

Zhonghui Guohua Industry (Group) Limited was represented by its chairman Mr Wang while State Grid International Development was led by Mr Du who is also the chairman.

Mr Mwale said past exploration surveys indicated that North Western and Western provinces also had gas and petroleum.

He said the Government would this year advertise a block for would be developers in the petroleum industry in the country.

Mr Mutati said even if the country was not spared by the effects of the global economic recession, the Government had in this year’s national budget proposed major incentives that would boost the mining industry.

Director geological survey department at the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Kennedy Liyungu said Mwinilunga has strong indication of mineralisation.

Mr Mwale said the Government was open to foreign investments and was happy to receive the two investors whom he assured of the support from the Government.

Mr Mwale also urged the Chinese to invest in Zambia’s mining sector.

At the same meeting Commerce Minister, Felix Mutati, said Zambia’s mining tax regime has been adjusted to attract more investment.

And State Grid Corporation of China Chief Economist,Du Zhigang said his team is impressed with Zambia’s good investment climate.

Meanwhile President Rupiah Banda has called for increased investment in the energy sector.

President Banda says Zambia and other countries in Southern Africa are facing a shortage of power despite having abundant water resources.

The President said the Chinese are welcome to invest in the energy sector to help the country to generate adequate power.

He said Zambia needs a lot of investment to cushion the impact of the current global financial crisis.

State Grid Corporation of China Chief Economist DU ZHIGANG said his company will invest in the sector to help Zambia overcome the current power deficit.

The Energy deficit in the Comesa Region which stands at 20 percent will rise to 46 percent by 2011.
[ZNBC/Times of Zambia]

North South corridor meeting to attract big financiers

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Several senior officials from international financial institutions are expected to attend the North-South Corridor Conference next month in Lusaka at which donors are expected to pledge over US$ 2 billion for regional infrastructure development.

Senior officials expected include World Bank vice president for Africa, Obiageli Ezekwesili, African Development Bank president, Donald Kaberuka, European Investment Bank president, Philippe Maystadt and deputy chair for African Union, Erastus Mwencha.

World Trade Organisation director, Pascal Lamy, is also expected to attend the high level North-South corridor conference to be held from April 6 to 7.

Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Felix Mutati said the conference would also attract 20 trade ministers from the Eastern and Southern African countries, including two commissioners from the European Commission.

Mr Mutati said the aim of the North-South corridor programme was to develop and connect infrastructure like roads, railways, border facilitates, weigh bridges and energy generation in the region.

Mr Mutati said this in an interview in Lusaka adding that the North-South Corridor was a pilot aid-for-trade programme, which was a joint Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Eastern Africa Community (EAC) and Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) initiative.

He said the objective of the conference was to secure donor commitment, international financial institutions and the private sector to finance the removal of infrastructure constraints that hamper progress in realising more trade, higher economic growth and poverty reduction.

He said the meeting would also attract private sector representation from the region and locally.
He said cost for the North- South corridor and financing structure had been developed.

Mr Mutati said over US $2 billion was required to finance infrastructure needs of the corridor.

“One key thing is to connect infrastructure to facilitate speedy movement of goods and people. The project will also simplify and harmonise customs procedures and legislation in the region,” he said.

Mr Mutati said the project was also looking at trade facilitation measures such as harmonisation of information technology systems and electronic customs management systems, harmonisation of axle load and vehicle dimensions of road transit charges regulations and carrier licenses.

He said the rationale was to have an integrated approach to resolving the problems faced by countries relating to the cost of doing business and ultimately contribute to enhancing the economic growth and development of Africa.
[Zambia Daily Mail]

Setting Goals for our leaders

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President Banda flanked by local government minister Ben Tetamashimba and Defence minister George Mpombo
President Banda flanked by local government minister Ben Tetamashimba and Defence minister George Mpombo
By Wesley Ngwenya

The President and his cabinet ministers are undoubtedly the most powerful men and women in our country. These people are responsible for implementing policy, driving the economy
and controlling Zambia’s meager resources. The President at the helm is the overall Chief Executive Officer of the land.

In Zambia, especially, he is so powerful so much so that he is literally revered and somewhat admired by friends and foes alike. How should this powerful man together with his team govern the country?

With the way things are going in our country—it got me thinking. In the corporate world we are subjected to evaluations, reviews, goals, deadlines, and etcetera. Why not have our president give his ministers specific objectives and goals when they are appointed? Why not ensure that the president outlines clear job descriptions that are known to the public. He will clearly give each minister deadlines on what they have to achieve. Then every year, he would sit with each of the ministers and have a one-on-one on the state of affairs in their ministry. If the minister fails the review it is very clear what will happen to him or her.

This approach as a president will force him look for the best of the best to head the various ministries. It will also help the president to be more objective and overlook petty issues and concentrate on real issues. The president will ensure that the ministers do not personalize their jobs. They will be made to understand that as ministers they are custodians and answerable to the Zambian people. I propose that the president should reward the best performing minister with an award and a paid for family vacation to anywhere of his or her choice.

Among the indicators of how best performing a ministry should include; a) the ministry which saved the government the most money by reducing expenses or adopting cheaper and conservative use of resources, b) the ministry which utilized the human capital to capacity by keeping idle hours to a minimum, c) the ministry which avoided workshops, d) the ministry that hired the most qualified and competent personnel.

If these indicators would have been presented to the current ministers we have, I wonder if they would have taken the jobs in the first place. In the back of their minds, these are impossibilities but in reality it just takes common sense and a willing soul. Being a leader, is more than just showing off your power. Our leaders are obsessed with statements like, “I will sort them out!” Daily, in public they display cheap politics and kindergarten behavior.

When basic leadership principles are followed, it is likely that the leader will earn the due respect naturally. The highest office in the land should, at all cost, be the first one of uphold these principles. It is sad when the office displays personnel disagreement in public. How can someone you appointed as a minister and you have been working with for so long suddenly become a devil and be subjected to public humiliation? Since the president has so much power it is just fair that he equally be subjected to the same scrutiny and given goals, by parliament, which he ought to meet during his tenure in office.

Because of the urgency of the situation in our country we need good hardworking men and women. Men and women who will sacrifice their wealth, for instance, to ensure that others’ lives are better off. Can you imagine a Zambia where leaders got poorer after they served in government? That will be Zambia we will all be proud to be part of.

Zambian Airways shareholders given 30 days to pay back K28bn

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zambiaairwaysDevelopment Bank of Zambia (DBZ) has given two institutional shareholders of Zambian Airways 30 days in which to pay K28 billion guaranteed for loans awarded to the airline, failure to which they will be taken to court.

According to the latest issue of Executive Issues, the Post Newspaper and JCN, which is owned, by Mutembo and Nchima Nchito had failed to pay K14 billion each that they offered DBZ as guarantee for some of the airline’s loans.

The Executive Issues states that DBZ has since given the Post Newspaper and another shareholder JCN, 30 days in which they should pay K14 billion each for guaranteeing the loans, which were given to the company before it suspended operations.
DBZ is claiming K28 billion from both JCN and the Post Newspaper after they signed an undertaking to buy-back equity from DBZ in October 2008, it said.

“We, Post Newspaper Limited, further undertake to hold this undertaking valid and legally binding on ourselves until the execution of the irrevocable joint and several share buy-back guarantee by all the shareholders of the Zambian Airways,” reads part of the undertaking as quoted by the Executive Issues.

The undertaking was made on the understanding that DBZ would swap its loan exposure to Zambian Airways into equity, provided that the two key shareholders undertook to buy-back the shares at a later stage.

Following the execution of the buy-back options, DBZ proceeded to take equity in the airline and released the debentures and securities it had on Zambian Airways to Finance Bank Zambia Limited, which had made a capital injection of over US$ 5 million in the airline.
The publication said the directors of Zambian Airways decided to abruptly suspend the operation of the airline before the transactions could be concluded. This prompted DBZ to demand for the buy-back commitment made by the Post Newspaper and JCN.

The two institutions failed to honour their obligations within the 30-day period and DBZ intends to sue the two companies to claim their dues.

The Post Newspaper had also undertaken to takeover part of the Zambian Airways debts with Intermarket Banking Corporation to the tune of $1.5 million in order to facilitate for DBZ to swap its loans into equity.
The publication added that the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) had also joined in the Zambian Airways scam by questioning the decision by the DBZ management to pump money into the airline at a time when it was clear that the company’s financial position according to its books was weak.
According to correspondence from the Central Bank directorate of non-bank financial institutions supervision, the loans, which DBZ provided to Zambian Airways, were irregular as it was against the Banking and Financial Services (Large Loan Exposures) Regulations.

The publication further says key financial institutions had agreed to place the airline in receivership following protracted meetings and negotiations, which had failed to yield any meaningful survival plans.

Initially, it was conceptualised that the current shareholders of the airline should exit and carry the debt burden while new investors should be invited to literally start the airline afresh.

But some investors had shown interest in taking up the company under a new flagship, Zambian Airways 2009 Limited but the proposal was not universally accepted by other creditors who include Finance Bank Zambia Limited, Investrust Corporation Plc, Intermarket Banking Corporation, Development Bank of Zambia and NAPSA.

The publication said it also emerged that Zambian Airways directors and management had proposed to the Government in December 2008 to consider bundling all Government-connected debts in the airline into equity through DBZ.These State entities are the DBZ, National Airports Corporation (NAC), Zambia Revenue Authority and NAPSA.

Meanwhile, the forensic probe into the conduct of the Zambian Airways activities by the combined team of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and the Zambia Police had, according to Executive Issues, revealed glaring instances of financial scams.
[Times of Zambia]

MMD to resume lower organ elections, Katele Kalumba

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Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) will soon resume the process of elections to fill up leadership positions in the party’s lower organs.

Party National Secretary, Katele Kalumba said members of the MMD could not continue with this process because of the demise of late President Patrick Mwanawasa who had initiated the process.

Dr. Kalumba said the National Executive Committee of the MMD has considered it prudent to continue with the process after the election of President Rupiah Banda, who is now the party leader.

He said the chairman of elections has since been directed to issue a time schedule defining when different levels of the party organs would be expected to complete their party conferences.

He said the process of elections will be a continuous one, adding that this initiative has already been undertaken.

Dr. Kalumba explained that the level at which each province has reached concerning elections in party organs would not require to start afresh but would just continue where they ended.

This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka last this evening.

And the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy in Serenje district of Central province has pledged total support to President Rupiah Banda in all his endeavours to lead the country.

Acting MMD district chairperson, Mulando Hamachili and district secretary, Richard Chikamba said President Banda should be given enough time to lead the country to prosperity.

Mr. Hamachili and Mr. Chikamba have since commended President Banda and the MMD National Executive Committee for expelling Katuba Member of Parliament Jonas Shakafuswa and Mpulungu Member of Parliament Lameck Chibombamilimo from the party.

The duo said the MMD should not tolerate indiscipline members adding that nobody was indispensable.

ZANIS/KC/EML/KSH/ENDS

COMESA’s RAERESA to help develop infrastructure in energy sector

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Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, COMESA, is confident that the Regional Association of Energy Regulators for the Eastern and Southern Africa, RAERESA, would help member countries achieve infrastructure development in the energy sector.

COMESA Secretary General, Sindiso Ngwenya, said RAERESA, once launched, will bridge the energy infrastructure gap that has been identified as one of the main priorities of COMESA in the infrastructure Development.

Mr. Ngwenya also stressed that lack of inadequate regional energy infrastructure in the region has lead to high production costs of energy prices and high energy losses which have contributed to low levels of comparatives of countries in the regional and global markets.

Speaking at the meeting for the launch of RAERESA , Mr. Ngwenya said COMESA embarked on the an energy programme whose main aim is to promote regional cooperation in energy development , capacity building and trade.

He said the programme is intended to harmonize the energy policy and regulatory issues that will develop the COMESA region energy infrastructures through the development of medium to long- term energy plan that will facilitate trade in the energy services.

Mr. Ngwenya noted that the energy regulatory frame work will assist in the reformation of the sector there by providing plans and frameworks that will regulate the energy supply and demand.

He however said many COMESA countries have establishment their energy regulatory set up whose mandate include enforcement, licensing, rule making and approval of tariffs through the harmonization of the energy regulatory system that has become a regional and international trend.

And speaking at the launch Energy Deputy Minster, Gladys Lundwe, said it was important to develop the regional power infrastructure and the need to adopt an integrated approach to the generation and transmission of power.

Ms Lundwe, further, said the association will facilitate the enhancement of energy reliability in the region and reduce energy costs which in turn will enhance international competitiveness of exports products and strengthen regional integration.

She noted that energy plays an important role in the process of development as it is one of the basic inputs in the process of economic and social development.

Ms Lundwe further noted that COMESA region has currently estimated a deficit in electricity supply at 20percent of demand adding that it is expected to be exacerbated in the forthcoming years to 46 percent by 2011.

ZANIS/ENDS/AH/MKM/SJK

Meteorological dept predicts more rains

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The Meteorological Department says widespread rainfall is expected in most parts of the country for almost a week.

Meteorological Department Deputy Director, Jacob Nkomoki, said the current rains being experienced in some parts of the country are due to the inter-tropical convergence zone established over the central parts of the country.

In a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka yesterday, Mr. Nkomoki said the effect of a broad deep low pressure which is also associated with the rains and situated over the Western half of the country will strengthen the International Tropical Convergence Zone, ITCZ.

He said with the ITCZ strengthened, the outbreaks of the rains is focused to fall heavily over Northwestern, Western, Copperbelt, Luapula and Eastern Provinces.

Mr. Nkomoki, however, added that the rains are expected to start reducing over the Southern parts of the country by Sunday, March 22, this year.

ZANIS/AJN/ENDS/SJK

Former First Lady, Maureen, mourns Gabon First Lady

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Zambia’s former First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, says the death of Gabon’s First Lady, Lucie Bongo, is a tragedy to efforts of fighting HIV and AIDS in Africa.

Mrs Mwanawasa, who is also former Organization of African First Ladies against AIDS, OAFLA, described the late Mrs Bongo as a gallant daughter of Africa, who held the issues affecting the continent close to her heart.

Mrs. Mwanawasa said in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka to today that she learnt with great pain and shock the death of Mrs Bongo.

She said Mrs Bongo would be greatly remembered for her positive contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS particularly, through the works of OAFLA.

She said as the first president of the OAFLA, Dr. Bongo’s secretariat formulated the constitution, the framework of Action and took part in the drafting of the first OAFLA strategic plan of 2002 to 2008.

Mrs. Mwanawasa said Mrs Bongo diligently carried out OAFLA activities under the Save the Unborn Child First Ladies Campaign among other things despite her ill health.

Mrs. Mwanawasa expressed her deepest condolences to Gabon President, Omar Bongo Ondimba, and wished him God’s strength during this trying moment.

Dr. Bongo was the first OAFLA president from 2002 to2004 and was succeeded by Mrs. Mwanawasa’s predecessor Jeanette Kagame of Rwanda in 2004.

ENDS/ZANIS/ENDS/SJK

Zambia has huge potential for electricity generation – RB

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gridPresident Rupiah Banda has says Zambia still has a lot of potential for generating enough electricity from various natural resources.

Mr. Banda said the country can produce more electricity than it is currently generating from natural resources such as coal, water and solar among others.

He said this when a Chinese delegation of investors State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and Zhonghui Mining Industry Zambia Limited paid a courtesy call on him at state house this evening.

He said SGCC’s intention to invest in electricity generation was welcome because the country and the Southern African region were currently experiencing a serious deficit of electricity.

Mr. Banda also observed that the intended investment by one of the world’s biggest electricity generation company is a positive indicator of Zambia’s investment environment.

He said the visit and intentions shown by State Grid Corporation of China are also a positive indication at a time when other investors, especially in the mining sector are pulling out.

Speaking earlier, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati, advised the Chinese investor to take advantage of the low metal prices prevailing on the market to invest in the country.

Mr. Mutati said government was ready to provide tax regimes and other framework of incentives especially in value additional products.

And speaking at the same occasion, State Grid Corporation of China Chief Economist Du Zhigang commended government for providing a friendly investment environment, which he said has continued to attract investors.

Mr. Zhigang said his company will visit some parts of the country for possible investment in the energy sector.

ZANIS/CM/KSH/ENDS

ECZ finds Larfage Cement guilty of pollution

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The Enviromental Council of Zambia (ECZ)says the country’s major cement making company, Larfarge Cement( formerly Chilanga cement) has contravened the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act (EPPCA) of 1990.

ECZ Acting Senior Communications Officer Chama Nyendwa said in a statement obtained by ZANIS, yesterday, that Larfage Cement has been found guilty of operating the factory contrary to the Act.

Ms Nyendwa said for this reason the ECZ has slapped a 14 days ultimatum to address the normalise operations in accordance with the Act.

This means Lafarge Zambia has 21 days to stop cement particles or dust from being strewn or being emmitted in the perimeters of the factory after which further action shall be taken.

ECZ has further given Lafarge –Chilanga’s air emission license validity period from one year to six months for non compliance as provided by the law.

Ms. Nyendwa requested that Larfarge submit stack air emission reports every two weeks for the next six months. This will allow ECZ to increase the frequency of monitoring the facility.

She said findings by ECZ team of inspectors dispatched to Lafarge Cement in Chilanga on 8th March 2009 followed complaints from the public.It has been established that the company has increased an abnormal amount of pollution into the open environment of 1.6 km radius.

The team revealed that Larfarge did not put in place adequate remedial measures to mitigate against the impact of the pollution on human health and the environment.

Ms. Nyendwa says the cement firm failed to report the pollution in question immediately to regulatory authorities as evidenced on surrounding buildings, motor vehicles and plants.

She said clean up and remediates affected areas against the pollution arising from the incident in the surround community up to 1.8 kilometers north-west of the plant.

She stressed that ECZ provided environmental educational sensitization public awareness by way of public meetings.

ZANIS/KC/ENDS/MM

Bail applications frustrate Nkole

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nkoleThe Executive Chairman of the Taskforce on Corruption is sad that convicted people are not staying in prison but quickly applying for bail which is granted pending appeal.

Maxwell Nkole has appealed to the National Constitutional Conference NCC to put into law which will ensure convicted persons process their appeals while behind bars.

He said it frustrating that some convicted individuals quickly apply for bail to avoid going to prison.

Meanwhile Mr. Nkole has commended his staff for securing conviction in high profile cases in the past few weeks.

The magistrate court has convicted high profile persons among them, former military chiefs, for corruption and abuse of office.

Mr. Nkole said in a statement to ZNBC that the convictions are fruits of hard work.
[ZNBC]

Over 400 people displaced by floods in Western Province

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A flooded classroom block at Nakaywe Basic School in western province after the Barotse plains were submerged
A flooded classroom block at Nakaywe Basic School in western province after the Barotse plains were submerged
About 400 households and livestock in Naliywa ward of

Senanga Central Constituency in Western Province face displacement due to heavy floods that have hit the area.

Pupils at Ngundi basic school in the same area are reportedly camping at the school premises as their villages are submerged in water.
Naliywa MMD ward Councilor Mutumba Mabele told ZANIS in Mongu today that the situation in the area is critical as most crops have been submerged in water.

Mr. Mabele named the affected seven areas as Namaenya, Ngundi, Sabelo, Sikumbi, Mashabu, Songa and Milenga.He said the high rising flood waters being experienced in the area have not been witnessed for many years.

Mr. Mabele has since appealed to government for assistance in form of shelter and food saying that the situation needs urgent attention.
Meanwhile four pupils have died after they were swept away by floods in Shang’ombo District in Western Zambia.

Sinjembela Member of Parliament, Mubika Mubika, says the four pupils are from Mambolomoka and Lisisi areas of Shangombo.

Mr. Mubika says the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit learnt during a fact finding mission on Saturday that the pupils died recently.

He told ZNBC news in Lusaka that the bodies of the four pupils have not yet been found.

Mr. Mubika also said communication between Shangombo and the rest of country may be cut off because ZAIN Zambia which is the only phone provider in the district is likely to run out of fuel to run its equipment.

The main road to the area has also been destroyed by the floods.

Heavy rains have caused floods in some parts of the country and Shang’ombo is among the worst affected so far.
[ZANIS/ZNBC]

US Air Force serviceman rescues two women from plunging into Vic falls

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Quick action by a visiting United States Serviceman saved two women from perishing over the Victoria Falls.

US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Keith Andrews rescued two Zambian women who fell into the Zambezi River some 60 meters from the edge of the falls.

The incident happened when the US Air Force Air War College servicemen visited the Victoria Falls recently.

US Embassy Public Affairs Officer, Christopher Wurst, told ZANIS in a statement that the two women were believed to have accidentally fallen into the river.

Mr. Wurst, said eye witnesses narrated that the duo fell in the fast current moving river, when one woman bumped into the other, who was talking on a cellular phone.

“Lt. Col Andrews was downstream posing for a photograph when he heard screams and immediately moved towards the women who were holding onto each other and managed to grab one of them’s wrists at the last moment.” narrated Mr. Wurst.

About 24 US Air Force War College servicemen were in the country on a visit.

ZANIS/WM/ENDS/SJK.

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