A continental grouping advocating for peace inAfrica says Zambia should take advantage of her SADC Chairmanship to promote peace and stability in the region.

Network of Africa Peace Builder (NAPS) Africa Co-ordinator Rinos Simbulo says this
is because Zambia has been an oasis of peace which should transcend throughout the
region.

He was speaking during a press briefing in Lusaka today in line with the 26th United
Nations (UN) International Day of Peace.

Mr Simbulo pointed out that conflicts and wars were detrimental to the development
of the region.

He observed that the current situation in some parts of the Southern African region
does not support sustainable development.

Mr Simbulo also noted that the gap between the poor and the rich was widening.

He said this was a recipe for antagonism and conflict, hence the need for SADC to
address issues related to the eradication of all forms of inequality in the region.

Mr Simbulo said vulnerable groups such as women, elderly persons, youths, and the
disabled must not be marginalised.

He said Africa has been synonymous with violent conflict and political chaos, a
situation which he said must be corrected.

President Levy Mwanawasa has said he will not attend the European Union (EU)-Africa Summit to be held in Portugal in December, if Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is barred from attending the meeting.

Mr. Mwanawasa, who is also Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Chairperson,says his decision is not in agreement to the problems Zimbabwe was facing but that it was only prudent that the Zimbabwean leader is allowed to attend such an important fora.

The President said this shortly before departure for the United States of America
where he is going to attend the United Nations (UN) 62nd General Assembly.

The President left aboard a British Airways flight at 09:00 hours.

Mr. Mwanawasa’s remarks follows a BBC report quoting British Prime Minister Gordon
Brown as saying he will boycott the summit in Portugal, if Mr. Mugabe is allowed to
attend the event.

President Mwanawasa said that it is important that leaders that have perceived Mr.
Mugabe of any wrong doing engage him in dialogue and resolve the issues.

“It is clear that those who have a bone to chew with Mugabe should meet him. It will
be a waste of time to travel to Portugal if Mugabe is not invited,” he said.

He said it would be unfortunate if Britain will not attend the meeting because the
Summit will hang in the balance.

The British Prime Minister said Mr. Mugabe has an EU travel ban for allegedly
perpetrating the sufferings amongst Zimbabweans.

Mr. Brown described the summit as a ‘serious opportunity’ to forge stronger
partnerships between Africa and the EU.

On the sacking of Mr. Sikatana as Foreign Affairs minister, Mr. Mwanawasa said he
was convinced that he made the right decision.

He said he was glad to learn that Mr. Sikatana was fit and was ready to contest the
republican presidency.

During the summit, the President will attend several meetings on the sidelines that
will include the private sector where he will woo more investors.

He will also attend the Clinton Global Foundation meeting and will hold several
bilateral talks with other leaders on issues of mutual interest.

The President is accompanied by Foreign Affairs minister Kabinga Pande, Agriculture
Minister Ben Kapita and other senior Government officials.

He was seen off by Cabinet Ministers, Service Chiefs, members of the Diplomatic Corp
and other senior Government and party officials.

President Mwanawasa has sent a congratulatory message to his Nigerian counterpart, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, on the occassion to mark that country’s National Day.

President Mwanawasa said Zambia is happy with efforts that Nigeria is making in
consolidating democracy in that country.

This is contained in a statement signed by Special Assistant to the President for
Press and Public Relations, John Mususkuma, made available to ZANIS today.

Mr. Mwanawasa acknowledged the warm bilateral relations between Zambia and Nigeria and reiterated Zambia’s desire to further strengthen the ties for the mutual benefit of the people of the two countries.

“As we join you in commemorating this joyous occassion, Zambia commends your efforts
in consolidating democracy in your great country. We acknowlege the warm brotherly
relations that exist between our countries and reiterate our desire  to further
enhance these relations for the mutual benefit of our two countries,” read part of
the statement.

The president also sent messages of congratulation to his counterparts in Mali,
Guinea Bissau, Malta and Armenia on the occassions to mark their countries National
Day.

Mr. Mwanawasa indicated to his Malian counterpart, Amadou Toumani Toure, that Zambia is happy with success scored by that country’s government in the area of good
governance.

“I seize this opportunity to commend you and your Government’s efforts in scoring
successes in the area of good governance. I look forward to strengthening further
our warm relations for the mutual benefit of our two countries,” added the
statement.

In his message to Guniea Bissau President, Joae Bernardo Vieira, Mr Mwanawasa said
Zambia and Guinea Bissau have over the years enjoyed cordial relations,  which
should be strengthened further as the African continent forges ahead to foster
unity.

And Mr. Mwanawasa has also congratulated Turkey President-elect, Abdullah Gul, for
emerging winner of that country’s August 28 2007, presidential elections.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Zambia, I wish to
express my sincere congratulations on your election to the high office of President
of the Republic of Turkey on 28th August, 2007. I wish you every success as you
assume the reigns of leadership,” said the statement in part.

President Mwanawasa has taken a swipe at the Oasis Forum for teaming up with people facing corruption charges, to undermine his Government over the constitutional making process.

The President said this in Mazabuka, Southern Province, Tuesday on arrival at Nakambala football ground.

He said he was disappointed to see photographs of Oasis leaders hand in hand with people accused of plundering the economy.

Mr. Mwanawasa who was addressing Mazabuka residents, also accused the Oasis Forum of failing to support his crusade against corruption.

He charged that the Oasis Forum has never condemned corrupt people publicly but were quick in criticising Government.

Mr. Mwanasawa accused the Oasis Forum of having a personal hatred against him.

He wondered why the Forum invited Former President Frederick Chiluba to be their consultant and advisor on matters relating to the Constitution when he is accused of having stolen colossal sums of money.

The President said the country is dogged with so many problems which need support from all stakeholders.

The President who described those criticising his administration as being unpatriotic, said Government will not change its position on the constitutional making process.

He complained that some members of the opposition and Civil Society were fond of changing goal posts each time Government accomodated their concerns.

The President observed that even if people criticising his Government take to the streets to protest against the adoption of the constitution through the National constitutional Conference (NCC), Government will not reverse its decision.

He regretted that the constitution making process has taken four years because of unreasonable opposition to the process.

The President advised Zambians not to follow what the Oasis Forum was doing because doing so would make the country unstable.

The President said the country has enjoyed peace and only requires good leadership to chart the way forward.

He advised Zambians not to make leadership experiments because they may end up regretting.

Mr. Mwanasawa said the argument advanced by the Oasis forum that the NCC Chairperson and his vice should be appointed by members is unrealistic and Government would not succumb to their demands.

He said the NCC was instituted to adopt the republican constitution but regretted that the Non Governmental Organisation Coordinating Council (NGOCC) has withdrawn on grounds that they are just escorting the MMD.

Mr. Mwanawasa said he was disappointed with the NGOCC and his administration will ensure women are given more rights.

The President urged NGOCC to rescind its decision and re-join the NCC and support Government on matters relating to women rights.

And MMD Southern Province Chairman, Daniel Munkombwe, informed the President that the ruling party has been overwhelmed by the increased number of opposition United Party for National Development (UNDP) party officials resigning to join the party.

The president is in Mazabuka to launch the Zambia Sugar expansion programme.

ZNBC

Zambia is set for the construction of a new 40,000-seater before 2010.The stadium will be built by the Chinese and both the Zambian and Chinese governments have entered an agreement for the construction of the stadium in the northern part of the country.

The estimated amount to build the stadium is $70 million.

A Chinese delegation led by Zhang Zijun visited the country to carry our feasibility studies at the site where the stadium is to be built.

Zijun and Bizwayo Nkunika, permanent secretary in Zambia’s ministry of works and supply signed the agreement on behalf of the two governments.

There is already excitement in the air following the positive development.

“The signing ceremony marks the beginning of the construction works,” Sports minister Gabriel Namulambe announced at the signing ceremony in Lusaka.

“This country will benefit from South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 World Cup if the stadium is completed.

“I am calling upon the private sector to come on board because we need a five-star hotel next to the stadium.”

The stadium will be built in Ndola in the Copperbelt Province.

Trial in the Kapoche constituency by-election petition has continued in the Lusaka High Court, with the petitioner, Charles Banda telling the court that the pre-election campaigns in the area was marred with irresponsible, improper behaviour by senior members of government and the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

Mr. Banda of Chilobe Farm, Chief Nyanje’s area in Sinda, who contested the June 5,
2007 by-election on the Forum for Democracy and Development (FDD) ticket lost the
election to Fashion Phiri of the MMD.

The June 5 election was as a result of a successful petition by the same Charles
Banda in the High Court against the MMD candidate, Nicholas Banda, who had won the
September 2006 parliamentary seat on an MMD ticket.

Mr. Banda, 51, told Judge Charles Kajimanga that President Levy Mwanawasa and his
vice, Rupiah Banda threatened the people of Kapoche constituency during public
rallies that they would not receive relief food if they voted for the opposition
candidate in the area.

He testified that President Mwanawasa said at two public campaign rallies held at
Nyanje headquarters and Mwanjawantu headquarters that it would be wise for people of Kapoche to vote for Mr. fashion Phiri and the MMD.

He told the court that President Mwanawasa said at the public rally that if they
voted for Mr. Charles Banda or any other opposition party candidate, they would not
get relief food from government and that there would no form of development that
would be done in the area.

Mr. Banda said it was a violation of the electoral act number 12 of 2006 for the
President to issue threatening statements at a public rally during the campaign
period.

He said the electoral Act prohibited people from issuing threats or intimidation
during campaign rallies.

He also said at one of the rallies, President Mwanawasa directed the Minister of
Agriculture, Ben Kapita to direct the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to start buying
crops from farmers in the area.

He told the court that this was began to an extent where in some instances, crop
markets were being opened in the area even on the election day.

“I was disturbed by the pronouncements because I didn’t expect Republican President
Mr. Levy Mwanawasa, who is the custodian of the constitution in this country to be
the first person to violate the law, which is the electoral Act, which prohibits
threats and intimidation during the campaigns,” he said.

The petitioner further told the court that during the same campaign period,
government deployed two earth-moving equipment in form of graders to Kapoche
constituency to grade the Sinda-Nyanje road and the Petauke-Mwanjabantu road, via
chief Mumba.

He said road works were commenced in the area but were abandoned immediately after
elections.

“No grading was done in chief Mumbi’s area, which is in Petauke Central
constituency. Grading started from Nyamasase bridge, which creates a boundary
between Petauke and Kapoche constituencies up to Wankhala,” he said.

When asked how he understood such kind of development by his lawyer, Chifumu Banda, Mr. Banda said “In my opinion, that kind of development was vote buying by the MMD candidate Fashion Phiri”.

Mr. Banda further said Vice President Rupiah Banda said at his first rally at
Kamjoma in chief Mwanjawantu’s area said government would develop the area if the
electorate voted for the MMD candidate in the June 5 by-elections.

He said to substantiate the Vice President’s statement a borehole was sunk at
Kamjoma on June 3rd, two days before the by-election.

He said the borehole is there at Kamjoma but it was not yet in use because the hand
pump has not been fixed.

Mr. Banda attributed his loss to Mr. Phiri (Fashion) to what he termed as malicious
and irresponsible type of campaigns by the MMD officials.

He said the people of Kapoche district could easily believe the promises because
they were facing hunger and were generally poor.

During cross-examination by the respondent’s (Fashion Phiri) lawyer, Hobday Kabwe,
Mr. Banda said he won in Nyanje area while in Mwanjabantu area, Mr. Phiri won.

Earlier, a 48 year old Irack Ngoma said on May 9th, 2007, he was given a cell phone
by former Member of Parliament for Kapoche, Nicholas Banda and a Mr. Dryford Mwanza.

He said he had been a member of the opposition United Party for National Development
(UPND) but defected to the MMD, together with several others.

He said Mr. Banda (Nicholas) had promised to buy him a sim card for the phone but
this has not been given to him yet.

Trail continues on September 21st, 2007 at 09:30 hours.