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Govt Assures Lusaka Mourners of More Viewing Days

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Government has assured Lusaka residents that it will provide alternative days for the viewing of the late President Mwanawasa’s body which will today close at 18:00 hours.

In a Press Statement to ZANIS in Lusaka today, Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja said residents who may not have an opportunity to view the body before the stated time will be accorded an opportunity to do so on Friday 29th August from 13:00 to 18:00 hours.

Dr. Kanganja added that the residents will also view the body on Saturday 30th August from 08:00 to 18:00 and Sunday 31st August from 08:00 to 18:00 hours.

He noted that government and the first family appreciate the outpouring of grief and prayers by the general public and the religious community during the mourning period.

The body viewing for Lusaka residents opened this morning at 08:00 with Vice President Rupiah Banda being the first to pay his last respects to the late Dr. Mwanawasa who died in Paris, France last Tuesday.

Meanwhile Scores of Lusaka residents have continued queuing up to pay their last respects to the late head of state who is lying in repose at Mulungushi International Conference Center.

By press time multitudes were still lined up in a queue stretching from the entrance of the main hall through great east road down to Olympia residential area behind Parliament.

Multitudes of Zambians both young and old today turned up to pay their last respects to President Mwanawasa at Mulungushi International Conference Center.

The mourners who were mostly clad in Black and national colours filed past Dr. Mwanawasa’s casket amid tight security provided by Military police from the defence forces. Some of the mourners wept uncontrollably while others collapsed.

Security wings were however on hand to ensure orderliness during the procession.

Vice President Rupiah Banda was the first to pay his last respects at about 08:19 hours followed by Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa and First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.

Second Republican President Dr. Frederick Chiluba and his wife Regina paid their last respects at 11:48 hours while opposition Patriotic Front President Micheal Sata paid his last respects in the afternoon at about 15:07 hours.

Notable among others who paid their last respects to President Mwanawasa were Cabinet Ministers, Deputies, Senior Government officials, UPND President Hakainde Hichilema and All People’s Congress Party President Kenny Ngondo.

Others were Heritage Party President Godfrey Miyanda, Members of Parliament, Councilors led by Acting Mayor of Lusaka Mary Phiri and Town Clerk Timothy Hakuyu and members of the Law fraternity.

Former Vice Presidents Dr. Nevers Mumba and Enock Kavindele were also among the mourners who paid their last respects in the morning.

By 15:00 hours scores of people were still lined up in a long queue stretching from the entrance of the Main hall through great east road down to Olympia residential area behind Parliament building.

And government has said a number of foreign heads of state are expected in the country to attend President Mwanawasa’s funeral.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande told ZANIS in an interview that Chadian President Idris Derby has already confirmed attendance.

Mr. Pande said a good number of heads of state are expected to confirm attendance now that the date of Dr. Mwanawasa’s burial has been set.

He noted that government hopes that in the course of this week, more heads of state will confirm attendance because President Mwanawasa was held in high regard in the region for his leadership.

Meanwhile, PF President Michael Sata has called for calm as the nation mourns President Mwanawasa.

Mr. Sata said citizens and leaders should be honest and avoid engaging in theft and corruption just because Dr. Mwanawasa has passed on.

ZANIS/BK/AM/ENDS.

Members with Corruptions Charges to be excluded-Mpombo

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The ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) will not allow any of its members accused of corruption from contesting the presidential by-elections on the party ticket.

Defence Minister George Mpombo confirmed today that MMD had started the nomination process for candidates wanting to contest the presidential elections on behalf of the MMD and that the nominations would close on Tuesday..

National Executive Committed (NEC) would elect a candidate on September 5 instead of holding a national convention because there was little time to organise a convention.

“The MMD will ensure that people with political careers dented with corruption don’t contest because they will obviously be a liability to the party. We are alive to the immediate consequences of electing such people,” Mpombo said.

Mpombo said Mwanawasa’s legacy would have to be upheld by his successor.

“We are looking for a leader with the vision to reinvigorate the president’s policy on (sound) agriculture, to restore confidence to investors and somebody who will stand for national reconciliation. It should be somebody with a big vision on development and unity,” Mpombo added

Meanwhile, the Muslim Association of Chipata district has called on Zambians to elect a credible leader who can continue with the vision of achieving a stable economy in line with the late President Mwanawasa’s aspirations.

Association chairperson Salim Daya said Dr Mwanawasa had shown his dedication to improve economy of Zambia through the promotion of sound economic policies that encouraged foreign investors to handsomely invest into the country.

Mr. Daya told ZANIS in Chipata today that the improvement of road infrastructure in Eastern Province has enhanced agriculture in the area.

He pointed out that the province is now rated highly in agricultural production due to the good policies of government under the leadership of Dr. Mwanawasa.

“All this has been achieved due to the good leadership qualities portrayed by our late president who had the development of the country at heart,” he said.

Mr. Daya said there is need to elect a leader who has similar qualities to those of president Mwanawasa and pick up from where Dr. Mwanawasa left.

He has since urged Zambians to be cautious and elect a leader who will take the country forward.

ZANIS/HN/LB/CM/AM/ENDS

Today’s Word with Joel & Victoria

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Eternity Is In Your Heart

Today’s Scripture

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds, a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy (Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP).

Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria

God has placed eternity in the hearts of mankind. Everything we experience not only serves a purpose here on earth, but it serves a purpose for eternity. Right now, God is working in you and putting inside of you everything you need to fulfill your eternal destiny. He is making you ready to rule and reign with Him. As long as you are moving forward and gaining strength, you are gaining eternal victory.

View what’s going on in your life with an eternal perspective. You have a higher calling; you have a greater purpose. Focus on what God is doing in your life. Don’t allow the little irritations to get you off course or distract you from what God has called you to do. Open your heart and mind and allow Him to prepare you for eternity. As you keep an eternal perspective and stay determined to be who God has called you to be you will see His hand moving in your life and you will live as an overcomer now and throughout eternity.

A Prayer for Today

Father in heaven, thank You for placing eternity in my heart. Help me stay focused on things that have eternal value so that I can live to give You glory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Joel Osteen ministries

Body viewing set for tomorrow

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The body of late President Levy Mwanawasa, which arrived in the country this morning, is lying-in-state at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Tomorrow has since been set as day for viewing of the body of the President who died on August 19 in Paris France, where he was hospitalised after suffering a stroke in Egypt on June 29.

Zambians from all walks of life thronged the Mulungushi International Conference centre to have a glimpse of the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa.

Only a limited number of people were, however, allowed entry into the Mulungushi Hall where the body is lying-in-state, a measure taken to ensure the programme is conducted in an orderly and dignified manner.

The Zambia Army Brass Band blew trumpets while an army brigade gave a military salute as the Casket containing Dr Mwanawasa’s body was laid on the dais placed at the centre of the main hall at MICC.

The brass band also played some solemn music as First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, and Acting President Rupiah Banda, laid the wreaths on the dais on which the body is placed.

Prominent among the mourners were First President, Kenneth Kaunda, opposition UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema and Catholic Nuncio Grasoli.

Others were Chief Justice Enerst Sakala, Speaker of National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa, Members of Parliament from both the ruling and opposition parties, civil society and union leaders.

Zambia Army Chaplain Reverend Colonel, James Phiri, said the late President Mwanawasa left a legacy because he put in place a pattern that he adhered to when executing programmes.

Rev. Col. Phiri prayed that the first family, government and the nation as whole accept the death of Dr Mwanawasa because only God knew the purpose why the President died before accomplishing is mandate.

He challenged political leaders to ensure that the ‘tourch of leadership’ from the late Dr Mwanawasa is handed over to a person who would handle national affairs in a manner that would positively impact on the welfare of the people.

He expressed hope that God would give Zambia a successor who would have the interest of the people at heart.

Rev. Col.Phiri indicated to the First Lady Mrs Mwanawasa that Zambians were praying without ceasing for improved health of Dr Mwanawasa during the period he was hospitalised.

He assured the first family of continued spiritual support through prayers during the trying moment.

ZANIS/ENDS/SJK/AM

Prof Chirwa to stay away from the MMD presidential race

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Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD), Presidential hopeful Professor Clive Chirwa has disclosed that he will not float his name for the party’s presidential candidate in the forth-coming by-election following the death of President Mwanawasa.

Professor Chirwa says he has no intentions to stand as MMD’s presidential aspirant because he was preparing for the 2011 general elections.

He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that he has decided not to float his name as MMD’s presidential hopeful because of the need to maintain stability in the ruling party following the untimely demise of Dr Mwanawasa.

Professor Chirwa, who is also a United Kingdom (UK) based University Lecturer urged the Zambian people to vote for a credible candidate whom he said will add to the virtues of President Mwanawasa when the country goes to the polls.

When asked which party he would support in the forth-coming Presidential by-elections, Professor Chirwa said that he will rally behind the MMD party as it was the only party that was committed to uplifting the living standards of its people.

Professor Chirwa said there is need for the country to vote for a credible and mature candidate that will be an economic manager of the country and who is going to continue with fight against corruption in the country.

Meanwhile, Professor Chirwa has advised investors in the country not to pull out their investment portfolios following the untimely death of President Mwanawasa.

He said there is no need for investors to panic about their investment portfolios in Zambia as government was doing everything possible to continue with the prudent economic management and good governance despite the death of Dr Mwanawasa.

He said investors in the country and those intending to invest in the country should not panic as the country’s economic fundamentals were on track and not changed in any way to suit certain interests of some political leaders in the country.

Professor Chirwa said government through the leadership of the acting President Rupiah Banda will continue with its prudent economic management and fiscal discipline and adhering to the tenets of good governance.

He further disclosed that he has brought British investors whom he said were in the process of investing in the country’s road construction industry, railway and mining sectors respectively.

In a related development, Former Vice President Enock Kavindele has advised MMD presidential aspirants to desist from discussing the party’s Presidential successions before the burial of the late President Mwanawasa.

Mr. Kavindele said that it was too early for MMD’s presidential hopefuls to start announcing their intentions to stand as the party’s Presidential aspirants in the forth-coming Presidential by-elections.

The former Vice President has since advised the MMD party to remain calm and peaceful as they mourn President Mwanawasa with dignity and respect.

And Zambia’s renowned soccer commentator Denis Liwewe has described Dr Mwanawasa’s death as a big blow to the entire Zambian sports fraternity.

Mr. Liwewe told ZANIS in a separate interview in Lusaka today that the sports fraternity in Zambia has learnt with the deepest sense of shock and sorrow of the untimely death of Dr Mwanawasa.

He said President Mwanawasa during his reign as Zambia’s Republican President and Patron of Sports in the country devised an effective sports action plan that looked into the development of the sports fraternity in the country.

Mr. Liwewe said the sports fraternity in the country, will greatly miss Dr Mwanawasa’s leadership as he had provided impeccable leadership for both the country and Africa as a whole.

He conveyed his deepest condolences on behalf of the sports fraternity to the First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, First family, the people of Zambia and the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD).

ZANIS/TK/AM/ENDS

The body of President Mwanawasa arrives in country

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The body of the late President Levy Mwanawasa, who died on Tuesday at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France has arrived in the country.

A huge French Airforce plane carrying President Mwanawasa’s body touched down at Lusaka International Airport at 08:55 hours and was escorted by three Zambia Airforce jets.

Fifteen minutes earlier, the presidential challenger plane, which was carrying relatives of the late Dr Mwanawasa, landed signifying that the French plane carrying the late President was on its way.

First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, some family members, Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Gender Minister Patricia Mulasikwanda and Sports Minister Gabriel Namulambe accompanied the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa from France to Lusaka.

Immediately the plane touched down, a sombre mood gripped the airport grounds as hundreds of mourners broke into wailing.

The Baptist Church and Movement for Multi Party Democracy women choirs sang solemn songs.

Acting President Rupiah Banda, Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwaa and service chiefs were at hand to receive the body of the late Head of State.

Upon arrival, pall bearers comprising personnel from all defence forces took position near the plane in readiness to carry the late President’s casket, which was draped in the Zambian flag, to the saluting dias.

With a slow march, the pall bearers carried the casket to the saluting dias after which the national anthem was sang and the 21 gun salute performed simultaneously. The fly past was also conducted with three jets.

Immediately after the national anthem and the 21 gun salute, the Zambia Army Brass Band solemnly played Rock of Ages song.

The casket was then carried by pall bearers to the Gun carriage where it was placed in readiness to be taken to Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Mulungushi Conference Centre is where the body of the late Dr Mwanawasa will lie-in State.

The Presidential motorcade led the way, followed by the military VIP convoy.

The convoy moved slowly on its way to Mulungushi Conference Centre as solemn Lusaka residents lined up to witness the funeral procession.

Zambian flags and posters of the late President were mounted on the road leading to the Airport.

The body will lie in State at Mulungushi Conference Centre starting today (Saturday)until Monday morning after which it will be taken to all the nine Provincial Centres of the country.

On Friday, the body will be taken back to Mulungushi to lie in State until September 1.

On Tuesday, September 2nd, the body will be taken to State House where it will lie in State in readiness for burial the following day at his Palabana farm.

The late Dr Mwanawasa died after he suffered a stroke. He fell ill on June 29th 2008 while attending the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Egypt.

PART 1. What exactly happened to President Mwanawasa

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It was with great sadness that the Zambian people learnt that President Mwanawasa had died
on the 19th August. It has been a great mystery and many people at this time are perplexed about what exactly happened to President Mwanawasa. Many wonder what doctors meant when they said the president was STABLE.This word was used so often to describe our late presidents condition whilst in ICU in France.

Out of this tragedy it is prudent that something good comes out of it.Perhaps future presidents should have better medical advisors? However, if a president can die from a stroke, where does that leave the ordinary citizen? Should we be scared when doctors start describing us as stable when we do fall sick? Lets answer a few questions that will give us an understanding as to what happened to our president in France and how we can prevent that happening to us.

Q1. What is a stroke?
A stroke happens when there is a problem with the blood supply to a part of the brain. The area of the brain that does not get enough blood becomes damaged.

A stroke can happen when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain. A stroke also can happen when the wall of an artery bursts.
Depending on which part of the brain has poor blood supply, a stroke can be mild to severe. It appears our President had a severe stroke.

Q2. What were the likely triggers to President Mwanawasas stroke in Egypt?

– Should the President have been allowed to fly? The oxygen pressure during a flight is lower than that at sea level, so there is a theoretical risk that someone who has recently had a stroke might be harmed by flying. This is because there is a risk of developing deep vein thrombosis ( blood clots). However there is no absolute medical ban on flying for people who have had strokes before. It is however said prior to his death, the President did do quite a bit of traveling. Perhaps that was not a good idea in hind sight. His long flight to Egypyt may have been the last straw.

-Another risk factor for stroke is stress. This may have played a role in the Presidents demise.

-We do know that the President had at least one prior stroke. When a person has one stroke the chances of having a second stroke are increased. The subsequent stroke may leave one with a lot more disability. For example, if you have right-sided stroke and then go on to have a stroke on the other side of the brain, you may have both your right and left side impaired.There are ways however to reduce the risk of recurrence of the stroke.

Q2. How can one avoid having a stroke?

The most important stroke prevention strategies are:

Control High Blood Pressure.
Eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, and exercise to reduce blood pressure. Drugs are also available.

Don’t Smoke
Not smoking reduces your risk of stroke.

Manage Heart Disease (heart disease can cause blood clots that find their way to the brain)
Doctors can treat heart disease and may prescribe medication to help prevent the formation of clots. People over 50 should consult their doctors about aspirin therapy.

Control Diabetes
Both diabetes and high blood pressure can be managed with diet, exercise, weight control and medication. Strict control of blood sugar levels may reduce damage to the brain if a stroke occurs.

Manage Cholesterol
Everyone should know his or her cholesterol level. Even though high cholesterol may be a more important risk factor for heart attack, it also is a stroke risk factor that should be treated.

Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight contributes to other risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular(heart) disease and diabetes. Losing as little as 5kg may lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels.

Exercise Regularly
Aerobic exercise reduces your risk of stroke by lowering blood pressure, increasing the level of HDL cholesterol(good cholesterol), and improving the overall health of blood vessels and heart. It also helps with weight reduction and diabetes control, and can reduce stress.

Manage Stress
Stress can cause a temporary spike in blood pressure – a risk factor for brain hemorrhage – or long-lasting hypertension. It can also increase the blood’s tendency to clot, which may elevate the risk of stroke. Exercising and using relaxation techniques are good approaches to stress reduction.

By medical correspondent

Chitala backs Teta’s choice of RB for president

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Zambia’s Former Ambassador to Libya Mbita Chitala has supported Party Spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba’s suggestion that Acting President Rupiah Banda be MMD’s presidential candidate for the scheduled November Presidential by- election.

Mr. Mbita said it will not only be suicidal if the ruling party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) does not adopt Mr. Banda.

He said the Mr. Banda who is a symbol of stability and unity in the party, is suitably qualified to carry on from where Dr Mwanawasa left.

He told ZANIS in a statement today that the acting president has served as vice present diligently under President Levy Mwanawasa.

Ambassador Chitala said the suggestion by former Commerce Minister Dipak Patel was in bad faith and a disastrous route for the party.

“I know that all our party organs in all the nine provinces will endorse the nominations of the vice president for the position of party president as swell as presidential candidate for the forthcoming elections, ” he said.

Mr. Chitala said Mr. Banda will be the best replacement late Dr. Mwanawasa.

The former Ambassador was reacting to Former Commerce minister Dipak Patel’s statement in the media where he ruled out the possible candidature of the acting President.

ZANIS/MK/ENDS/MM

Access to the airport will be restricted – Dr. Kanganja

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Late President Levy Mwanawasa’s body is scheduled to arrive in Lusaka from Paris, France tomorrow at 09:00 hours.

Secretary to the Cabinet Joshua Kanganja confirmed to ZANIS in statement this afternoon.

Government has however, indicated that only a limited number of people would be allowed access to the international Airport to ensure an orderly and dignified programme.

The rest of the mourners wishing to go the the airport, have been advised to line up along the road from the international airport to Mulungushi International Conference centre where the body would be taken to lie -in-state.

Government advised that the Acting President, Rupiah Banda, Chief Justice Enerst Sakala and Speaker of the National Assembly, Amusaa Mwanamwambwa would be allowed entry to the airport.

Others are the two former Presidents Dr Kennth Kaunda and Fredrick Chiluba, Fomer Vice Presidents and Cabinet ministers and deputies.

Government would also allow leaders of opposition political parties, MMD National Executive Committee members, representatives of the church mother bodies and members of the diplomatic corps to be part of the receiving party.

Close family members, the mayor of Lusaka, Members of Parliament, Permanent Secretaries, Lusaka province chiefs, Bank of Zambia Governor and two choir groups from the MMD would also have access to the airport.

Presidents of ZCTU, FFTUZ and directors of EFZ ZEC and FAZ chairman and his deputy as well as late President Mwanawasa’s pastor, Pastor Chanda of the Baptist Church would also be at the airport.

ZANIS/ENDS/SJK /AM

FAZ Wait for GRZ Word on Togo Game

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Faz has yet to get word from Government over whether Zambia’s 2010
World/Africa Cup Group 11 qualifying match against Togo scheduled for
September 6 in Chililabombwe will go ahead due to the 21-day national
mourning for late president Levy Mwanawasa.

Football House has disclosed that they are still awaiting word from
cabinet office as to whether the match can take place on that date at
Konkola Stadium.

The game will come three days after Mwanawasa’s burial and two days
before the 21 days of national mourning comes to an end.
Should the match not be played, it will mean Zambia can favorably only
host Togo in the October when the next Fifa match dates will be during
the dates of 11th and 15th -something Faz is trying to avoid without
being disrespectful with fixture congestion in mind.

Togo during that October match date period have a scheduled Group 11
home game against current Group 11 leaders Swaziland in both teams
last pool game.

Faz says it is hoping a decision will be made on Saturday, August
23 on the date Mwanawasa’s body is expected to return to Lusaka from
Paris where he died after a stroke left him in a coma for over one
month.

HH to Contest the Presidential by-election-UPND

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The United Party for National Development (UPND)has announced its intention to participate in the presidential by-election and has floated Mr. Hakainde Hichilema as the presidential candidate.

UPND Spokesperson, Charles Kakoma said this in a press statement availed to ZANIS in Lusaka today. This follows the assurance issued by Justice Minister, George Kunda that there would be a presidential by-election within 90 days after the demise of President Levy Mwanawasa who died on Tuesday, 19th August, 2008 at Percy Military Hospital in Paris, after suffering a stroke in Egypt.

Mr. Kakoma called upon all UPND members, civil society organizations and all citizens to rally behind the party’s candidate, who he said offered a new ray of hope for real change.

He described Mr. Hakainde as an economic manager capable of bettering the lives of Zambians and called on all well-meaning Zambians to remain calm, peaceful, dignified and respectful during the period of mourning the late President Mwanawasa.

ENDS/PK/ZANIS

Elections to be held after 90 days

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Government has assured that presidential elections will be held within 90 days in compliance with constitutional and legal provisions following the death of President Mwanawasa.

Justice Minister George Kunda said at a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday to explain the available Constitutional and legal provisions following the death of President Mwanawasa that all provisions would be strictly adhered to.

He said the date for the election would be announced in accordance with the constitution and the Electoral Act after consultations between the Ministry of Finance and the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ).

“This is a Government of laws which believes in constitutionalism and will follow all legal and constitutional provisions to ensure that elections are held within 90 days,” he said.

On the availability of resources for the elections, he said that the country had no choice because constitutionally, the presidential election was inevitable and that Government believed in constitutionalism.

He, however, said that according to the Constitution, any person who would be elected under these circumstances would only finish President Mwanawasa’s term and thereafter become eligible for a single five-year term according to Article 35 (2).

“Such a person could potentially only hold office for a maximum period of eight years. Such person will have twice been elected and will not be eligible to seek a further term,” he said.

He said that after the death of President Mwanawasa on August 19, Vice-President Rupiah Banda took over as acting president but was not required to take the presidential oath because there was no legal requirement.

“He will merely act as president in the interim period before the assumption of office by the new president to be elected. Neither the Constitution nor the Official Oaths Act provides for the oath of office for an acting president,” he said.

The vice-president already subscribed to an oath of office as vice-president and merely became acting president by virtue of being the substantive vice-president hence he was not assuming the office of the president to require an oath.

Mr Kunda said that although an acting president had power to perform all the functions of the president, he could not dissolve the National Assembly or revoke any appointment without Cabinet advice.

He said there would not be any general elections because parliament was not dissolved and the new president to be elected would only fill the presidential vacancy.

Asked what would happen if an opposition leader was elected as president, he said that Zambians had experience on Government operations and knew that it was better to have a president who was supported by members of Parliament.

[ZNBC]

Zambia U.S mission opens book

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A book of condolences for President Mwanawasa who died in a French hospital after suffering a stroke was opened - Wednesday at the Zambian Embassy in Washington DC.

Among the first to sign the book of condolences were Ambassadors from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Angola, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Sierra Leone.

Messages of condolences have also been received from the United States President George W. Bush.

Reverend Jesse Jackson, The United Nations Secretary -General Ban Ki-Moon, Africare, Friends of Zambia and many others also expressed their grievances.

Meanwhile, e-mails paying tribute to President Levy Mwanawasa have been received in Washington DC from Zambians based in the diaspora.

The messages began appearing yesterday as the news of the death of the President was received.

All expressed sorrow at the death of President Mwanawasa.

This is according to First Secretary - Press and Public Relations in the United States - Ben Kangwa

[ZNBC]

The responsibility of ECZ is massive ahead of polls – RB

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Vice President Rupiah Banda says the office of the Electoral Commission of Zambia-ECZ has a massive responsibility to conduct free and fair elections as per demand by the people of Zambia.

Mr. Banda, who is Acting President, said the people of Zambia cherish their freedom and would want to have free and fair elections.

He said this in Lusaka today when he swore in ECZ Chairperson Florence Mumba and Supreme Court Judge Marvin Sitwala Mwanamwambwa at government house.

Mr. Banda said as the country goes to the polls to choose a republican President in 30 days time, the responsibility of ECZ is huge.

“Soon we shall be going to elections and we are looking forward to your leadership. Our Late President knew what he was doing when he chose you,” said Mr. Banda.

The Vice President said Justice Mumba is well known in the judicial system where she has served for a long time at home and abroad.

And Mr. Banda said Justice Mwanamwambwa is a valuable addition to the judicial bench.

The Vice President who congratulated Justice Mwanamwambwa for his appointment said he attached great importance to the appointment of Justice Mwanamwambwa and encouraged him to work hard as he has done before.

“You too are well known in the judicial system. Your elevation is a clear demonstration of confidence that the Judiciary and the Late President has in you,” said Mr. Banda.

And speaking in an interview with Journalists, Justice Mumba said the task of ECZ Chairperson is a mammoth one.

She however said she was confident that the people of Zambia will be with her and give her the support to discharge her duties.

She thanked God for the appointment.

Justice Mumba takes over from Justice Ireen Mambilima.

ENDS/CBM/AM/ZANIS

Levy’s body arrives on Saturday, not Sunday – Kanganja

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Secretary to the Cabinet, Joshua Kanganja has announced that the body of the late President Levy Mwanawasa will arrive in Zambia from France on Saturday and not Sunday as earlier announced.

Dr. Kanganja disclosed this in a statement to ZANIS this evening.

He said the Zambian mission in France changed the programme saying the aircraft bringing the body of the late Dr. Mwanawasa would leave France tomorrow, August 22nd 2008 and arrive in Zambia on Saturday.

On the funeral arrangements, Dr. Kanganja said books of condolences would be opened in Lusaka tomorrow while the rest of the country, the books would be opened on Monday, August 25th, 2008.

He said the books that would open on Monday would be in provincial headquarters and districts.

“In Lusaka, the books of condolences will be opened at State House and Mulungushi International Conference Centre respectively starting from 10:00 hours to 17:00 hours every day,” he said.

He said the mourners that would sign the book at State House are foreign Heads of State and Government or their representatives, former Zambian heads of state, former foreign heads of state and governments or their representatives.

Dr. Kanganja said others that would sign the books of condolences at State House are the chief justice, speaker of the National Assembly, Zambian cabinet ministers, deputy ministers, leaders of political parties, Secretary to the Cabinet, senior government officials and service chiefs.

The rest will be Members of Parliament, heads of diplomatic, consular and international organizations accredited to Zambia, the judiciary, the Mayor of Lusaka, church leaders, chiefs, former senior government officials, national executive committee members of political parties, chairpersons of commissions and senior citizens.

“Other mourners not specifies above who wish to sign the books of condolences will do so at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre,” he said.

ZANIS/KSH/ENDS.

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