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Zambia is today in good hands - Swedish envoy

Zambia is today in good hands - Swedish envoy
By Staff Reporter
Thursday May 01, 2008 [04:00]

Zambia is today in good hands, Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Lars Ronnas has observed. Hosting a dinner for close to 50 guests who gathered at his Kabulonga residence in Lusaka to celebrate Dr Kenneth Kaunda's 84th birthday on Tuesday evening, Ambassador Ronnas said Zambia was doing well and there was progress.

"Of course many challenges remain. President Mwanawasa has in various ways, and not least recently, demonstrated courage and leadership in addressing pressing issues, and he is thus contributing to the vision of Africa, in which principles of human rights and democracy are highly cherished," Ambassador Ronnas said.

" In doing so, Zambia with other countries in the region, forge the necessary bonds that bring us together as an international community based on common values."
Ambassador Ronnas praised Dr Kaunda and his comrades for their contributions to the struggle for independence.

"On an evening like this, with so many distinguished guests, please accept that I turn my attention in particular to those of you here present who contributed so much in the struggle for independence and self-determination.

First and foremost, to your own country Zambia, but also as a Frontline state, providing shelter and safe haven for the various liberation movements in the region at the time," Ambassador Ronnas said. "You did so at your own country's peril and with much hardship. And you succeeded in your noble endeavours.

You were part of a truly historic process which transformed Africa into a continent of nation building based on the free will of its people. That struggle of yours also changed relations between Europe and Africa. Today our relations are strong and sound, based on common values and aspirations."

Ambassador Ronnas observed that in many ways the struggle for self-determination was also one in defence of human dignity.

"That is, that without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, language, religion or political opinion, all men and women have equal rights and are entitled to enjoy them.

I mention all this, because whatever wrongdoings and failures that have followed in this region, the great achievements of attaining independence, of liberating people so that they may determine their own destiny, will always be recognised as one of the great changes that took place during the last century," he said.

Ambassador Ronnas said the Nordic support in the struggle for independence and self-determination was rooted in within their churches, trade unions and what was nowadays called civil society.

"The Nordic countries lent their support to this process of liberation. To take just one example among many: You yourself, Dr Kaunda, sent Simon Kapwepwe to Sweden to solicit our assistance in terms of scholarship and the education of professionals, as you prepared to head your first government.

These ties between our nations grew strong from the very beginning and they remain a solid base as we seek to cooperate and dialogue in resolving today's challenges," Ambassador Ronnas said.

"As contacts developed, information became available, a strong sentiment emerged that we must side with those who were fighting to overcome the unjust systems that prevailed at the time. And so our governments have continued to respond to public sentiments and engagements for southern Africa up until today.

Attacks on human rights, the widespread use of discrimination and persecution were and are an affront to all of us, to our strong common sense that we are all bound together as human beings."

He reminded his guests of the importance of Dr Kaunda's message of one nation.
"Your message Dr Kenneth Kaunda about one nation, your refusal to accept divisions along line such as of being white or black, or of any other ethnicity, was of great importance then, and it continues to carry a message to this region and beyond," Ambassador Ronnas said.

"In 1969 our late prime minister Olof Palme, on a visit to Zambia, standing at the edge of the Zambezi River, looking towards the then Rhodesia, remarked that here the border is drawn that marks the end of civilisation. I was only a young teenager at the time.

Though he gave voice to what many of us felt, and it compelled us in our different small ways to demonstrate support to those who lived and suffered under illegal racist regimes."

Ambassador Ronnas observed that although the region has changed dramatically since then and apartheid was gone, frontline states has become a community of development and of cooperation in various fields, the struggle to achieve and uphold a just and decent society was a permanent one.

"The question as to whether justice and decency prevail in society, is not to be answered dependant on which government is in power. It is to be judged by whether men and women live in freedom from fear and freedom from want. And for that every government, irrespective of background and previous credentials, must be held accountable," Ambassador Ronnas said.

"The context may have changed, the surrounding circumstance will not be the same. Though what must remain is our norms and principles to guide us as this region engages in efforts to resolve issues where democracy, peace and the well being of ordinary people are at stake."

He said although it was 17 years since Dr Kaunda left government office, his advice was still sought by many people.

"It is a tribute to your wisdom that people from differenet walks of life still seek your advice and assistance. Your campaign against the pandemic HIV/AIDS is one but only one example of how you have continued to contribute to the well being of this nation. At the age of 84, you still stand as a an example to others."

And Dr Kaunda thanked the people of Sweden and other Scandinavian countries for their selfless support to the region's liberation struggle and in today's developmental efforts.

The dinner was attended by the British High Commissioner, Nowergian Ambassador, Finnish Ambassador, Malawian High Commissioner, President Levy Mwanawasa's economic advisor Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, Grey Zulu, Elijah Mudenda, among others.

Labels: KENNETH KAUNDA, MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 5:48 AM