Friday, July 18, 2008

Remain calm until Levy returns - KK

Remain calm until Levy returns - KK
By Jack Zimba
Friday July 18, 2008 [04:00]

DR Kenneth Kaunda has said the nation should remain calm and in prayer until President Levy Mwanawasa returns. In an interview on Wednesday, Dr Kaunda called on the ruling MMD and its leadership to hold the nation together. Dr Kaunda said he was saddened to learn of the quarrels within the MMD.

"I'm sorry to see so many quarrels in government and MMD leadership. Let them meet and discuss and agree on a way to follow, a way to go. How do you mix prayer with hatred like that? It can't work. Let them come together and do one thing - to hold the nation together," he said.

Dr Kaunda said the nation should stand together in this "trying moment" as it has from the time President Mwanawasa was hospitalised.

He urged leaders in the MMD to resolve their differences and avoid confrontation.

Dr Kaunda warned that any confrontation within the party and government leadership would impact negatively on the nation.
"We have a well-organised society and we must not destroy it. What is happening in the troubled areas on this earth can happen here, so let us not allow ourselves to fall into that ditch," he said.

Dr Kaunda said Zambia had a system that had worked for over 40 years, which he urged political leaders to follow.

"This system has worked in every situation," he said.
And Dr Kaunda called on the political parties in Zimbabwe to form an interim government of national unity that would pave way for fresh elections after the situation had stabilised.

Dr Kaunda suggested that such elections could be held after two years.

"We have no choice there but to come together and form a government of national unity. It is all about give and take. That is the only way forward," he said.

Dr Kaunda said Zimbabwe could not be rebuilt by insisting on the "ugly situation" witnessed in that country, but by starting afresh.
He also urged US President George Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown to understand the situation in Zimbabwe better before imposing sanctions on that country.

"I want to urge President Bush and Prime Minister Brown, let them look at how this thing came about and help us by stopping what they are doing now. They are not hurting President Mugabe, but the ordinary people of Zimbabwe," Dr Kaunda said.

And commenting on former South African president Nelson Mandela's birthday, which falls today, Dr Kaunda thanked God for the apartheid hero and wished him a long life.

Dr Kaunda, who will join in the celebrations in South Africa, said Mandela was not only a leader for Africa, but for the world.
Mandela turns 90 today.

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