Levy urges china to play a useful role in Zim
Levy urges china to play a useful role in ZimBy Chibaula Silwamba
Tuesday April 22, 2008 [04:00]
PRESIDENT Levy Mwanawasa yesterday said China can play a useful role in Zimbabwe without using firearms. And President Mwanawasa described MMD Lusaka Province chairman Geoffrey Chumbwe’s statement that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe should be removed by force as irresponsible, with the effect of souring Zambia’s relationship with Zimbabwe.
Speaking on arrival at Lusaka International Airport from Mauritius, President Mwanawasa - who is also SADC chairperson – urged China to play a useful role in Zimbabwe.
He was commenting on the Chinese ship carrying weapons for Zimbabwe which was frustrated to dock and offload the weapons at the port in South Africa and Mozambique. He said he was happy that SADC countries had denied the ship permission to dock.
“I am glad that South Africa has refused to allow them, Mozambique has refused to allow them and I hope that will be the case… We don’t want to escalate the situation in Zimbabwe more than what it is. Dialogue is the answer,” President Mwanawasa said. “The Chinese can play a very useful role in Zimbabwe without the use of firearms.”
But President Mwanawasa declined to comment on reports that some opposition political party members were being killed in Zimbabwe.
“I don’t know,” said President Mwanawasa.
And President Mwanawasa said he was personally embarrassed by Chumbwe’s statement.
“The statement was highly irresponsible; it is condemned by the party. The situation in Zimbabwe is being well handled by SADC and Mr Chumbwe is not a spokesman of the party. I cannot say more than that at the moment,” President Mwanawasa said.
“It has the effect of souring the relationship, yes. But I hope our colleagues in Zimbabwe will appreciate that a man like Mr Chumbwe would have no authority whatsoever to speak on behalf of the party. He is so junior in party hierarchy that I was personally embarrassed when I heard of his statement.”
Asked whether he would apologise to Presidnet Mwanawasa, Chumbwe responded: “For what I said? I can only apologise maybe to the President. I never heard him talk about me…you are just telling me that. I didn’t hear that. If there is anything, the President will ask me and I will explain to him.”
Labels: CHINA, MWANAWASA, SADC, ZIMBABWE
posted by MrK @ 3:24 AM
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