We can’t promise to implement PF proposals, says Shikapwasha

We can’t promise to implement PF proposals, says Shikapwasha
Written by Margaret Mtonga
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 1:30:46 PM

CHIEF government spokesperson Lieutenant General Ronnie Shikapwasha yesterday said it is not possible for the MMD government to guarantee opposition Patriotic Front (PF) that they will implement whatever proposals made. Reacting to PF spokesperson Given Lubinda’s statement that they could only dialogue if they were convinced that the advice given to the MMD would be implemented, Lt Gen Shikapwasha said dialogue meant sitting down and agreeing on one common goal.

“I don’t agree with PF that we should guarantee them that whatever advice they give to the MMD should be implemented because we might not agree on their advice as a party,” he said.

“Some of the advice that they might give us may not be in our interest.”

Lt Gen Shikapwasha said the best way for the PF and the MMD was to sit down to discuss issues affecting the country.

“The best thing is for us, the two parties, to sit down and agree on a resolution,” Lt Gen Shikapwasha said. “Trust among us, the two parties, is very important as that will enable us to achieve positive results from dialogue.”

Lt Gen Shikapwasha further said the government was at the moment not in a position to promise the PF that it would implement whatever advice or proposals the opposition party would give.

The government recently called on opposition political parties to dialogue over the many challenges the country was currently facing. Among the issues lined up for possible discussion include the high prices of basic commodities in the country.