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State to ban mandatory HIV tests

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LABOUR and Social Security Minister, Ronald Mukuma, has said that the Government is saddened at reports of people being denied employment because of their HIV/AIDS status and it will introduce a law to ban mandatory tests.

Mr Mukuma said yesterday that the Government was changing the Employment Act to stop employers from discriminating against prospective employees perceived to be HIV positive.

“Government wants a just and fair labour market where no employee or prospective employee is discriminated against on account of real or perceived HIV/AIDS positive status in relation to recruitment, remuneration, promotion, performance, job classification transfer or training,” he said.

The minister said yesterday when he launched the York Farm HIV/AIDS work-place policy that the law would ensure that employers did not ask the HIV status of their prospective employees.

He said the proposed legislation was intended to ensure that all employers did not tolerate the practice, adding that such discriminatory behaviour should be fought whenever it showed its ugly face.

“No employer shall require, whether directly or indirectly any person to undergo any form of testing for HIV/AIDS as a precondition for employment or for continuity of employment,” he said.

He said it was good that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was engaged as lead partner in formulating the York Farm policy because HIV/AIDS brought together the Government, employers and the workers.

He said the York Farm policy was commendable and should be emulated by other companies because the Government wanted to have a healthy productive workforce.

York Farm managing director, Nigel Pollard, said the policy showed management’s commitment to HIV/AIDS as it explained the role each stakeholder would undertake in the cause.

Mr Poillard said the policy was encouraging prevention by changing workers’ behaviour and that the farm would work with the Government and co-operating partners in encouraging its workers to go for Voluntary Counseling and Testing.

ILO country director, Gerry Finnegan, said HIV/AIDS was a workplace issue and that his office was working with the ministry of Labour and Social Security to fight the scourge.

Mr Finnegan said that the Italian government funded the formulation of the policy and training of 104 peer educators, saying a survey conducted last year revealed that the farm needed an HIV policy.

He said the ILO ensured that the policy met international standards because it would not only serve employees but customers that dealt with the farm even at international level.

[Times of Zambia]

Govt happy with oil and gas findings in Chavuma

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Government says the discovery of oil and natural gas in Northwestern province will create more job opportunities for people.

Provincial Minister Kenneth Chipungu said this when he addressed a public meeting at Chiyeke basic school, Monday, in Chavuma district during his inspection tour of poverty reduction projects(PRP).

Mr. chipungu explained that once the gas and oil mines were in fully operational, a number of local people would be employed and there by sustain their livelihood.

He has since called upon the people of chavuma to be united and work as a team to develop the district.

Mr. Chipungu, pointed out that days of politicking were over and that people should now concentrate on development of the area.

The minister said rumor mongering, name calling and finger pointing amongst themselves should be discouraged because such vices retard development of the area.

Meanwhile residents at Chingi border post in Chavuma are drinking untreated water because the area lacks piped water.

This came to light when Mr Chipungu and other Provincial heads visited the area.

The officers who took the Minister and his team round showing them the only contaminated water well situated near pit latrines lamented that they felt they were neglected and that they were not in Zambia.

They said since the water pump broke down in 1995 no one has ever thought of replacing a new one there.

The officers also complained that they were living in dilapidated houses which were on the verge of collapse.

And Mr. chipungu has since instructed the department of water affairs to improve the water situation at chingi boarder post where Police, Zambia Revenue Authority, health, Education and Immigration officers are living.

Kafue Steel Plant announces measures to regulate pollution

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The Kafue Integrated Iron and Steel Plant (KIISP) has assured local residents that there will be no pollution contaminating the environment arising from the operations of the plant.

Project Manager Julius Kaoma says communities in Kafue should not be worried about pollution because the firm has put in place measures to detect and control pollution levels at the plant.

Dr. Kaoma was speaking when Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Elijah Chisanga toured the plant in Kafue.

He said the plant would be only emitting less than 15 milligrams of effluents which are harmless.

Dr. Kaoma said the water in the Kafue River would be used to cool the machines arising from the gases and carbon-dioxide during the combustion process.

He said the Plant will immensely contribute to national growth and local people will benefit through jobs opportunities.

The plant is expected to be operational by June this year and it will produce 280,000 Metric Tones of Steel to be supplied to the manufacturing industries in the country.

And Lusaka Province Permanent Secretary Elijah Chisanga said government has set a good precedent of conducting manufacturing and fabrication of metal which the private sector should take advantage of.

Mr. Chisanga further advised the Plant Management to abide by the Zambian labour laws.

The Kafue Integrated Iron and Steel Plant was officially launched by President Levy Mwanawasa on November 30 last year.

FRA official swindles farmers

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A named FRA Depot Manager employed by the Copperbelt Co-operative Union (CCU) has been arrested after swindling farmers out of K289 million.

Mpongwe Member of Parliament Gabriel Namulambe who confirmed the development to ZANIS said the suspect is currently in police custody at Mpongwe Police Station.

Mr. Namulambe said the suspect was issuing fake receipts to the farmers in his scheme to swindle farmers.

The lawmaker, who is also Sport, Youth and Child Development Minister said while government is trying to stamp out corruption, the efforts are being frustrated by a few individuals.

He said government is committed to promoting the agriculture sector hence reports of fraud in the sector are not welcome.

Meanwhile, Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has disclosed that it will construct 12 grain storage facilities with the total capacity of 71 metric tonnes throughout the country.

FRA Public Relations Manager Mwamba Siame says works for the construction of new grain facilities countrywide will commence in August 2008.

Mrs. Siame, who has confirmed the development to ZANIS in Lusaka today, said the aim of constructing new grain facilities by the agency is for the proper storing of grain that the agency will be buying from farmers countrywide.

Mrs. Siame said following the US$11.6 million that the Food Reserve Agency signed with the CAMCO company of China, the agency would embark on the construction of 12 storage sheds with the total capacity of 71 metric tonnes across the country.

She cited Kapiri-Mposhi, Chambishi, Chisamba, Serenje, Petauke, Mbala, Mufumbwe and Kalomo districts as some of the districts to benefit from the programme.

Mrs. Siame further said that the lowest grain storage sheds would range from 4,9780 metric tonnes to the highest 19, 370 metric tonnes.

She said the agency would not rest but ensure that frantic efforts are put in place aimed at securing maize from farmers countrywide.

Local publishers welcome the zero rating of books

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A local book publisher says local book publishers have the capacity to supply books to the nation without the aid of imported books.

SOBI Managing Director Gheewala Ismail says government should hence be commended for zero rating taxation on all books.

Mr. Ismail told ZANIS in an interview that the move would protect the local publishers by restricting the entry of imported books into the country.

He said this would help the local publishers make more money from their sales, adding that the public will also benefit from the rich locally produced literature.

Mr. Ismail explained that with the zero taxation on all books, customers would buy the products at a lower price as compared to the previous years.

He observed that book publishers were not getting expected profit before government introduced the zero taxation on books.

Mr. Ismail further added that publishers have since expanded their sales capacity in the last few months.

He has since called upon the public to take advantage of the initiative and buy locally manufactured books.

Govt Acknowledges Corruption in its Public Procurement System

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Government says it acknowledges high level of corruption in its public procurement systems.

Choma District Commissioner Mongoni Simulilika says expenditure on public procurements makes the process vulnerable to corrupt practices.

Mr Simulilika says the vulnerability of public officers to the vice is on suppliers of goods, public services and works.

He says corrupt practices affect public officers who carry out the procurement function on the other.

He said because the large amounts of money used in the process, officers entrusted on procurement of goods and services, are vulnerable to corrupt practices.

Mr Simulilika was speaking in Choma, Tuesday, when he opened a managerial accountability workshop for the Ministry of Education procurement staff and District Education Board Secretaries ( DEBS )from all districts in the province at Riverside Lodge.

He said it is a well known fact that government spends a lot of money in the procurement of goods, services and works annually and that the amounts spent are in trillions of Kwacha.

He said the people of Zambia expected quality services from public institutions like the education ministry as it has received a lion’s share of financial resources from government.

Mr Simulilika commended the Anti Corruption Commission ( ACC ) for conducting the workshop for the ministry to help address corruption in public sector procurement.

The DC said this will enhance the quality of goods, services and works which public officers are required to provide to the people.

He urge the workshop participants to fully take advantage of the workshop and discover points which are weak and open to exploitation for corrupt ends by public officers.

Mr Simulilika noted that prevention of corruption is less costly thatn dealing with deep rooted corruption, urging ACC to extend the workshop to all government ministries and departments.

Speaking earlier, ACC director for prevention and community education Kayobo Ng’andu said it is only through proper utilization of government resources that education quality can be enhanced.

Find yourself and be yourself

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Dear Jelita

Its been quite a long while since I heard from you. I’m much happier now and feel more settled here in Chicago.

As you know when I first came here I was so sad and felt terribly out of place. I tried to act happy and even copied the American accent so I’ld sound like a black American! I sounded so phony! Then one day a chance remark uttered by my mother in law transformed my life. She was talking one day of how she brought up her children and she said ” No matter what happened, I always insisted on their being themselves.”
Something lit up in my brain. Of course, I needed to be myself. Theres never been a Womba like me through out history nor will there be for ages to come. Why should I try to be a 2nd rate American when I can be a first class Zambian, with my beautiful Zambian accent.
I’m so happy. Instead of playing basketball with my husbands family last weekend I taught them netball.We had so much fun and laughter like never before. Laughing with them for the first time made me feel a part of them. I sing my Lunda and Bemba gospel songs proudly and I’ve stopped trying to sound like Yolanda Adams!
I end with a poem I saw in my mother in laws kitchen.

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley- but be the best little scrub by the side of the hill
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush,be a bit of the grass
and some highway happier make;

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be the crew,
there’s something for all of us here.
Theres big work to do and there’s lesser to do
And the task we must do is the near.

If you can’t be a highway,then just be a trail,
if you can’t be the sun ,be a star

It isn’t by size that you win or fail
Be the best of whatever you are!

love Womba

Zimbabwe Holds Its Breath Over Election Results

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Delays in releasing results of Zimbabwe’s harmonized elections, held on Saturday the
29th of March, are causing speculation and tension, analysts fear.

The announcement on Sunday night that the results would be declared from 06:00 on Monday, came amidst mounting fears that the delay signaled further efforts to rig the polls.

Previous ballots have seen results issued within hours of voting.
In an announcement on state television, ZEC Chairman George Chiweshe said there was nothing
untoward about unveiling the results on Monday.

He defended the delay, noting that, “In other countries, it takes longer than that, at times
up to one week.”

The excuses are, however, being dismissed by opposition members and activists who say some rigging is going on somewhere and they delay the announcement as to perfect it, Lovemore Madhuku, chairman of the National Constitutional Assembly said.
zanis

Building a new road is a waste of money – Mubika

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Sinjembele Member of Parliament Mubika Mubika has objected to the proposal by the Road Development Agency (RDA) to construct a new road from Senanga to Shangombo.

Mr. Mubika says the new road would be an expensive venture compared to rehabilitating the existing roads.

He pointed out that the venture would entail the construction of two bridges on the Zambezi River and importation of new earth moving machines.

Mr. Mubika explained that the new road is an 80 km stretch while the established road is much shorter.

The lawmaker noted that the proposed new road would disadvantage the welfare of the people in his constituency as transport costs to ferry their goods would be doubled thereby retarding development in the area.

Mr. Mubika , who is also Communications and Transport Deputy Minister said government is in a hurry to accelerate development hence the proposal by the RDA is misplaced.

He said the old Senanga to Shangombo road has enhanced the quick delivery of goods and services and advised the RDA to concentrate on maintaining the same road as opposed to unnecessary capital projects.

The Senanga/Shangombo road connects Sioma, Kalongola, Nagweshi and sub-boma with well established government infrastructures.

The RDA is reported to have approved the construction of the new road to be funded by the Danish government.

Meanwhile, the Mboyiwa feeder road has been washed away by floods experienced in Shangombo district.

Sinjembele Member of Parliament Mubika Mubika confirmed the development to ZANIS in an interview.

Mr. Mubika said culverts have been swept away and the people now using banana boats to ferry their goods across to the other side of the road.

Executive does not Interfere with the Judiciary – Levy

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President Levy Mwanawasa had refuted accusations that the executive was interfering with the operations of the judiciary.

President Mwanawasa said the executive did not comprise judges to pervert justice.

Dr. Mwanawasa said he has never together with his predecessor Dr. Fredrick Chiluba interfered in the operations of the judiciary which has been given autonomy.

President Mwanawasa said Judges both for the Supreme and High court, with the exception of the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice, are appointed by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Dr. Mwanawasa said he had no say in what the JSC, which is chaired by the Chief Justice Ernest Sakala, does.

He said the JSC recommends and appoints candidates after it has approved the names that they are submitted to the Chief Justice who later submits the recommended names to the president.

The President said he only appoints names submitted to parliament for ratification of the candidates based on recommendations from the commission.

“The Chief Justice can tell you that at no time have I rejected any appointment by the commission, “he said.

He said candidates are subjected to thorough scrutiny from various organisations that include Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and the Office of the President in case such a person has ‘cob webs’.

For Subordinate court justices, the president said they are appointed by the commission without names being submitted for his approval.

He added that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) enjoys autonomy together with the state advocates to decide on action to be taken on any case.

He said there are times when he feels that trial should commence on case but was handicap hence cannot interfere.

“ When I was practicing law, I would not handle a case for more than one year, but we have lawyers who handles cases for close to 7 years.

President Mwanawasa reiterated that his government believes in the separation of powers in the operations of the executive, parliament and judiciary.

He said his government would have been dictatorial if whatever cabinet agrees on was law.

“There are times when we had to present and withdraw the bill because we have thought other people were not involved in the process,” he added.

He stated problems of the judiciary are handled by the Chief Justice who also advises government on areas that needs to be addressed to improve the operations of the judiciary.

PF not ready for convention – Lubinda

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The Patriotic Front (PF) says it is not ready to hold its provincial and national conventions.

Party Spokesperson Given Lubinda told ZANIS in an interview that the PF would only hold its provincial and national conventions when it is adequately ready.

Mr. Lubinda pointed out that it would be meaningless for the party to vene its provincial and national conventions when it was not fully ready.

He however said the party would hold its provincial and national convention when the time is ripe.

Mr. Lubinda, who is also Kabwata Member of Parliament, said the party was under no pressure to convene is conventions.

“An egg cannot hatch before its due date,” he said.

Opposition PF has for sometime now been promising its supporters and sympathizers that it would soon hold its provincial and national convention.

The ruling MMD recently held its Eastern Province extra-ordinary conference.Kennedy Zulu is the new Eastern Province MMD Chairperson.

Mr. Zulu emerged winner in a tightly contested election after beating his closest rival, Lameck Mangani.

Mr. Mangami, who is also Chipata Central Member of Parliament and Lusaka Province Minister, lost by four votes after a recount because initially the two attracted the same number of votes.

The position of Chairperson which was contested by four candidates saw Mr. Zulu emerging victorious after polling 84 votes against his closest rival, Lameck Mangani who got 80 votes.

The other two contestants, Sherry Thole and Allan Sakala got seven and four votes respectively.

The Secretary’s position went to Rueben Chisanga with 116 votes beating Watch Banda who got 71 votes. The Vice Secretary is Charles Bensaia.

Mohamed Badat has retained his position as Treasurer and his Vice is Edward Banda.

The position of Information and Publicity Secretary went to Filimino Banda and his Vice is Nyimba Member of Parliament, Forrie Tembo.

Martha Mulenga beat two other contestants, Dorothy Dewe and Gertrude Zulu to become the Chairperson of the Provincial Women in development with Dorothy Phiri as her Vice.

The Provincial Youth Chairperson’s seat has been scooped by Samson Thole after beating Chipata Municipal Council Mayor, Sinoya Mwale.

Moses Moyo is the Vice Youth Chairperson and the Secretary is Christopher Katyetye.

The elections were held after the Provincial Executive Committee was dissolved last February by the National Executive Committee following squabbles in the party.

Onus is on New Faz Executive To Prove Themselves

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Sports permanent secretary Bob Samakai says the onus is on Kalusha Bwalya’s new Faz executive to prove to the nation that they are in office to serve Zambian football.

“This year’s FAZ elections were more pronounced and people have been wondering what is in Faz,” Samakai said on Sunday evening in Lusaka.

“The onus is on them to prove themselves.

“We are challenging the new executive to prove that being in FAZ is not about money or personal gains but public service.”

Samakai said his ministry was looking forward to working with a Faz focused on making the association more financially independent.

“We hope that the new executive will be coming to government with something,” the sports permanent secretary said.

“We want a situation were Faz will only come to us for top up after securing its own sponsorship.

“Football being the most popular sport, it’s easier to get the corporate world on board. Dependency on government should be done away with.”

Samakai however said for any funds or grants Government will give to Faz, Football House will be obliged to be show great responsibility with money received.

“There is no need for them to get upset when we ask about the distribution of funds,” he said.

“When we put in money, we need to know where it is going. It’s not that we will be interfering in their operations, even Fifa understands that public funds have to be accounted for.”

2009 AFRICA NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS PRELIMINARY ROUND QUALIFYING RESULTS

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30/03/08

Somhlolo National Stadium, Manzini

Swaziland 1(Mbuso Gina 9″)- Zambia 1(William Njobvu 75″)

Swaziland:N.Simmelane, M.Ngubane, D.Fakudze, M.Sidell, Z.Manyaatsi, M.Mtsetfwa, M.Kunene (M.Tsabadze 19″),M.Kunene,, M.Mamba, M.Gina,N. Mthethwa.

Zambia: M.Poto, C.Sichondwe, C.Siyingwa, E.Shamakamba, F.Kasonde. H.Himoonde, S.Bwalya,K.Mudenda,W.Njobvu (S.Mwansa 86″), R.Tembo, E.Mayuka

30/03/08

Libya 1(?54″)- Tunisia 1(Youssef Mouihbi 48″)

Tunisia : Larbi Majri, Aymen Abdennour, Khaled Souissi, Ammar Jemal, Karim Ben Amor, Wissem Ben Yahia, Khaled Korbi, Naoufel Youssefi (Jaber), Majdi Mosrati (Khelifa 67′), Chadi Hammami, Youssef Mouihbi (Sifi 81′).

Libya: Jemaâ Ketit, Achraf Lamari, Hichem Chaâbane, Riadh Lafi, Mansour Borki, Moaâd Abboud, Hichem Ben Dalla, Abdennacer Slili, Atef Hassan, Walid Khatrouchi, Mohamed Zaâbia (Abdekader 71′).

29/03/08

Gambia 1(Momodou Lamin Sillah 45″)- Mauritania 1 (Ould Khourou Khatry 28″)


30/03/08

Ghana 2( John Boye 12″, Dominic Adiyiah 55″)- Niger 0

Togo- Benin*

*Togo qualify to rnd 2 after Benin withdrew.

30/03/08

Nyamirambo stadium, Kigali

Rwanda 1- Burundi 0

29/03/08

Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi

Kenya 1(Francis Ouma 61″)- Tanzania 0

Kenya:Joseph Ruto, 5-Ibrahim Shikanda, 13-John Njoroge, 15-Philip Opiyo, 2-Joseph Shikokoti, 8-Ali Breik, 10-Francis Oduor (6-Ouma 47′), 9-Kevin Omondi (7-Dafaa 47′), John Mwangi, Aggrey Ongoli (17-Ojwang 70′) and Levy Muaka

Tanzania:1-Farouk Ramadhan, -12Fred Mbuna, 13-Nadir Haroub, 2-Salum Sued, 6-Henry Joseph, 5-Shaban Nditi, 4-Athuman Iddi, 10-Emmanuel Gabriel, 7-Uhuru Suleiman (Ngasa 55′) and Abdi Kassim (14-Mwakingwe 79′)

Asmara.

Eritrea 2- Uganda 2(Anthony Bongole, Simon Sserunkuma)

Uganda:: Sam Kawalya, Julius Mulindwa, Lawrence Ssegawa, Joseph Owino, Doka Mus, Simon Masaba, Dan Wagaluka, Owen Kasule, Caesar Okhuti, Anthony Bongole (Steven Bengo), Ronald Muganga (Simon Sserunkuuma),

Traditional leaders held for blocking Zambia president

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Fifteen Zambian village elders have been arrested for trying to block President Levy Mwanawasa’s convoy in protest against alleged government meddling in traditional affairs, police said Monday.

“We will charge them with unlawful assembly for attempting to block the presidential motorcade,” said Emlyn Mushondwa, a senior police officer in the eastern province where the incident took place.

He said the 15 village heads were detained on Saturday after they attempted to waylay Mwanawasa who was in the area to attend a party meeting.

The village leaders accused Mwanawasa’s government meddling in succession disputes by recognising traditional chiefs who were not from the right family to take over.

However, government rejected the charge, saying the troubles in the area had been caused by the royal families who have differed on the installation of new chiefs.

“Government is concerned and President Mwanawasa is not happy about such disputes,” Local Government Minister Sylvia Masebo told state radio after the incident.

“Most of these disputes are due to greed because the positions have become lucrative,” said Masebo, who is responsible for traditional affairs.

The local chiefs had led a group of more than 100 villagers in Petauke, a remote town in the province, to protest against a perceived government interference in traditional matters.

Tension in the area has remained high, the police said.
AFP

I won’t dismiss my nephew – Levy

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President Levy Mwanawasa says he would only take action against Finance Deputy Minister Jonas Shakafuswa after parliament has disposed off the case and if he feels there is need for him to take action.

President Mwanawasa said he will be prejudicing the action which parliament is dealing with if he decides to take action against the deputy minister.

He said the clerk of the National Assembly Doris Mwiinga has confirmed that the house is investigating the case.

‘ Am afraid I will disappoint you, I will not take action until parliament dispossess of the case, and I will only do so when I think that there is further need for me to move ,’ he added.

Dr. Mwanawasa said he was aware that people have labeled him all sorts of names, as a person who is a tribalist and one who seeks to protect his relatives.

He however said the Deputy Minister was his nephew and that he did not apply to be his uncle neither did the Mr. Shakafuswa apply to be his nephew.

He said Mr.Shakafuswa was appointed as Deputy Minister on the fact that he could deliver.

“ Are you not being unfair by expecting me to take action, dismiss Shakafuswa before allow the legislative body to do what ever it has to do.

Why is it that when it involves your interest you want me to abandon the rule of law, I will not decide on the popular wills of the people ,’ he said

The President was reacting to recent calls from some members of parliament for him to dismiss finance deputy minister over his remarks he altered in parliament which the women movement are saying were an insult to the women.

The President reiterated that as a custodian of the constitution, which he will rule by the laws and not by men.

Dr. Mwanawasa added by being a lawyer that he is deemed to know the law which he does abide by the Zambian would accuse him of not following the law.

He said Zambians could have forgiven First Republican President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and Second Republican President Dr. Fredrick Chiluba because they did not know law.

“Am sorry it too late to reverse things, you voted for a lawyer and you should be ready to stick to the law, Mr. Mwanawasa said at State House today.

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