LETTERS - Chinese, HH

Bogus investors
By Marlon Phiri Lusaka
Wednesday November 07, 2007 [03:00]

I would also like to give credit to Michael Sata, president of the PF. From the onset, I want to say that it is very good that Sata is in the opposition. His fight against what he calls bogus Chinese investment in Zambia is interesting.

Sata has been very consistent in his fight against Chinese investment, especially those that come to Zambia only to be found at Soweto market, selling vegetables and chickens and running restaurants.

Just over a month ago, we saw pictures of a Chinese couple involved in the theft of Zamtel and Zesco cables and some copper cathodes. Last week Sata reiterated his fight against bogus Chinese investment and the poor labour conditions that they subject most Zambians to. And the story of the Chinese firm that is dealing in stolen copper cathodes does not give a good picture of Chinese dealings in Zambia.

At Harvard University, Sata illustrated how much he felt Zambia had lost out in attracting genuine investors at the hands of the Chinese investors. The failure by the Zambian government to review the tax exemptions also means that our country continues to lose out on the benefits of our natural resource.

Now the Chinese would like to prove that they can be good and so in this “positive” competition we the Zambians are likely to benefit.
In the process, we can get back what rightly belongs to us: access to good water and health facilities, education for our children as well as decent jobs that will help us to stand on our two feet as a free people.




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=33624

HH's politics
By Raphael Mukuka Australia
Wednesday November 07, 2007 [03:00]

Zambian politics will never cease to amaze me. Looking at the front page of Monday’s Post, I wonder what HH is trying to achieve campaigning for a candidate who will obviously not win the election but lure a few votes that destabilise a potential candidate’s chances to win with big margins.

Opposition parties need to have one voice if they want to have influence in Parliament. There is no need for another opposition party to contest the by-election in Nchanga Constituency when there is already one.
Other opposition parties should have rallied behind PF to win back their seat. We also expect PF to support other opposition parties in areas where they are strong and not fight each other over things that are straightforward.

The money UPND and its candidate are spending can be used for more positive developments that are more achievable.



http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=33623

What is Sata's ideology?
By MJ Johannesburg
Wednesday November 07, 2007 [03:00]

One MM writes that ‘Sata is a voice for the voiceless’ and by some forceful persuasions want Zambians to subscribe to this notion.

To make such statements is to say the Zambians’ memories are too short, uninformed about international affairs and above all cannot distinguish between a failed and frustrated politician from a genuine and honest leader. It would be greatly appreciated if Sata could answer a few basic but fundamental questions surrounding the matter at hand; when did it occur to him that Taiwan is an issue? Was it during the tenure in office with Dr Kaunda, Chiluba or Mwanawasa?

What is the difference in Chinese claim of Hong Kong and Taiwan?
Did he ever protest when the British gave up Hong Kong?
Consistency is one virtue that is conspicuously missing in most of our politicians. If a leader’s belief, inclination or opinion changes it is normal courtesy the public knows so as to help in making right choices of their leaders.

It may sound ridiculous but one Dr Machungwa was bold enough to say that his ideology had changed in a matter concerning a president seeking a third term. What is Sata’s ideology anyway?
This is the same man who at one time said that street vendors should be allowed to trade on the streets while during his tenure as Lusaka Urban district governor he would round up these traders and send them to Chongwe so they could find their way back to Lusaka as a way of punishing them.

When it suited him it was fine to chase street vendors but when it is other people doing it, he raises his voice as if he is speaking for the voiceless.

In my view Sata speaks for his own political survival just like he tried to do on Chiluba’s infamous third-term-bid.