Martinez welcomes London judgment
Martinez welcomes London judgmentBy Masuzyo Chakwe
Tuesday May 15, 2007 [04:00]
UNITED States Ambassador to Zambia Carmen Martinez has said the judgment against second republican president Frederick Chiluba is the best thing that could ever happen. Commenting on the London High Court judgment that established that Chiluba defrauded the Republic of Zambia of millions of dollars, Ambassador Martinez said it was a great step in the fight against corruption.
She said it was time for justice and that the judgment sent a great signal to Zambians and people all over the world. "Every country in the world has corruption and every time someone has to face the music for stealing and I say it is the best thing that could ever happen," she said.
Ambassador Martinez hoped the criminal trials that Chiluba and others were facing would move forward. "And obviously there is great truth in the charges that have been made as we have seen by the judgment and I think everybody should read the judgment and I applaud the newspapers for printing the judgment. Every Zambian should read that judgment and find out what these elected people did to the people of their country," said Ambassador Martinez.
She said the American Embassy also had Chiluba's judgment on its website. London High Court judge Peter Smith established that Chiluba and others had defrauded Zambia of a total of US $41 million through the BK Facility and the Zamtrop account in London.
Judge Smith ordered Chiluba and others to pay about 85 per cent of the total sum (US $41 million) within 14 days upon service of the judgment. This is a case in which the Attorney General of Zambia took out a civil suit against Chiluba and 19 others who were alleged to have siphoned about US $20 million from the state treasury.
Judge Smith said he was satisfied that Chiluba and former Zambia Security Intelligence Service director general Xavier Chungu were major conspirators and were also in breach of their fiduciary duties.
Those co-accused with Chiluba include Cave Malik and Company, Xavier Francis Chungu, Attan Shansonga, Stella Chibanda, Aaron Chungu, Bimal Thaker, Faustin Kabwe, Francis Kaunda, Boutique Basile, Nebraska Associates Limited, MISSL Associates Limited, Hearnville Estates, Jarban SA, Raphael Soriano Katoto, Belsquare Residence, NV Roland Cracco and Robert Standaert.
However, during a press conference at his Kabulonga residence on Thursday, Chiluba defended himself against the London High Court judgment by accusing President Levy Mwanawasa and British Prime Minister, Tony Blair of corruption and imperialist conspiracy against him.
Dismissing judge Smith's judgment as corrupt and racist, Chiluba accused Blair and the entire British political and judicial system of trying to impose imperialism on Zambia.
Chiluba also accused President Mwanawasa of championing British imperialism in Zambia.
"It is my opinion that both gentlemen Tony Blair and Mwanawasa advanced the popular slogan of corruption to hide their own skeletons in cupboards," charged Chiluba. "They have not provided the necessary leadership they pontificated."
Labels: CARMEN MARTINEZ, CHILUBA
posted by MrK @ 4:00 PM
2 Comments:
I for one have difficulty with the US Ambassador in that her government has one of the most powerful intelligence organisations and I think they could easily help to locate people like Xavier Chungu and bring them to justice. Also after 911 I'm pretty sure these poeple knew how money was being moved by Chiluba and his friends and could actually provide valuable clues where the money is and who else has been left out.
Does anyone remember a guy who hid in the bush for a couple of months with a laptop and satellite phone. Do you think he was just taking a nap ?
Let's also not forget that the Vulture Fund that has stolen $15 million from the Zambian government, is one a major donor of both George Bush and Rudolph Giuliani in New York.
You are talking about the most corrupt administration in American history.
I for one wouldn't trust them with anything.
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