PF defends Sata's K195m request from Taiwan

PF defends Sata's K195m request from Taiwan
By Amos Malupenga
Tuesday October 23, 2007 [04:00]

Patriotic Front vice-president Dr Guy Scott yesterday said there was nothing wrong with party president Michael Sata asking for US $50,000 from Taiwan to continue his mission to discredit China. Reacting to yesterday’s Post lead story revealing that Sata had asked the Taiwanese government to help him with US $50,000 (about K195 million) to enable him travel to the United States on his continued mission to discredit China in favour of Taiwan, Dr Scott there was nothing wrong with Sata’s request.

“It is perfectly normal for diplomats and politicians to use each other to achieve common cause. The other day I was transported to Taiwan by that island’s government and used by them as an example of a pro-Taiwanese African (albeit a white one) in an Africa-Taiwan trade conference,” Dr Scott said. “Mr Sata’s visit to Harvard, which is likely to be high profile in the United States, is of considerable interest to the Taiwanese.

Why should they not be invited to contribute to the cost of it? And perhaps even leave some change for the PF party to use in by-elections caused by the dirty tricks of the MMD?”

And Dr Scott took issue with yesterday’s Post editorial comment which stated that “Sata’s view on China is blurred by the dollars being splashed in his face and not by a genuine political stance or ideology”.

“Leaving aside the question of whether the dollars actually materialised, this is not a fair deduction. Our misgivings in PF about China’s undue influence in Zambia are longstanding and principled,” he said. “In fact, the Chinese offered to assist PF in the last few days of last year’s election campaign (believing that PF was winning and wishing to obtain some goodwill) and I personally turned the offer down after consultation with Mr Sata.

You will recall that in the early days of that campaign, some Chinese gentlemen appeared on an MMD platform and one even threatened to withdraw all Chinese investment if Sata became president of Zambia. So much for a “genuine political stance or ideology!”

Dr Scott said there was an underlying problem in Zambia. He said although Zambia had become notionally a multiparty democracy, consequential legislation on such matters as party funding had not been passed. He said the ruling party seemed to have unfettered access to money from parastatal companies and investors seeking “goodwill”.

“It also has unrestricted use of government transport and staff, not to mention planes and helicopters, when it comes to election campaigns,” Dr Scott said. “Who is paying for the fertiliser currently being distributed in the Nchanga Constituency? You and me, mate.

Meanwhile the opposition is supposed to travel, organise and campaign on what? On the smell of an oil rag? On thin air? On donations from street vendors running away from the police? I strongly believe firm rules are needed on the funding of party activities (including presidents travelling to Harvard or the less well-known Harding University). These rules need to apply to the governing party as much as to opposition. The playing field needs to be levelled.”

Dr Scott said until that happened, “We in opposition have to live like dissidents in a One Party State, surviving on the opportunities that present themselves”.

“Incidentally, a Chinese equivalent of your excellent journal would not survive one week in Beijing,” Dr Scott said. “On the other hand, it is difficult to imagine (since the 2000 Taiwanese elections) there being any impediment to the publication of The Post in Taipei.”

Sata had asked for US $50,000 from Taiwanese government for upkeep and costs for his travel to United States’ Harvard University where he has been invited by the university’s committee on human rights to speak on human rights at a conference themed, “China-Africa: The Yin and the Yang” to be held tomorrow.

“When I met you in 2005, I undertook to do everything within my capacity to discredit The Peoples Republic of China so that they can concentrate on defending themselves against my attacks and leave your country at peace,” Sata’s letter to Taiwan’s Ambassador in Lilongwe read in part.

“My campaign has paid dividends. The whole world has come to acknowledge my campaign positively. It is this positive campaign which has attracted my invitation to one of the most famous universities in the world, Harvard University USA, which invitation you already have a copy. Harvard University has offered a one-way economy ticket from Zambia to Boston, USA.

“The above invitation is very important for the publicity of your country. I will be accompanied by my Director of Research a Dr Mulenga. Because of the importance of the above trip, I have obtained a quotation which comes to US $28,612.00 (Twenty eight thousand sixhundred and twelve dollars).

“I am therefore humbly requesting support from your government in the sum of US $50,000 (Fifty thousand dollars) to cover the cost of this important trip, upkeep in London and the USA.”
Sata further stated that if Taiwan’s government approved his request, the money could be wired into his personal account at Finance Bank’s Corporate Branch in Lusaka.