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US following Chiluba’s acquittal with interest – Booth

US following Chiluba’s acquittal with interest – Booth
Written by George Chellah
Monday, September 07, 2009 3:05:36 PM

UNITED States Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth has stated that the US government is following events connected with the Frederick Chiluba criminal judgment and the Task Force on Corruption with great interest. And Ambassador Booth stated that Americans believe a free and independent press, one that is able to question and criticise government actions and policies, is fundamental to any democracy.

Responding to a press query from The Post, Ambassador Booth stated that the Zambian people have a right to honest and effective stewardship of Zambia's public resources.

"The Zambian government's pursuit of criminal and civil cases against former president Frederick Chiluba and other senior government officials demonstrated seriousness about combating corruption and that no one should be considered above the law," Ambassador Booth stated.

"We are following events connected with the Chiluba criminal judgment and the Task Force on Corruption with great interest. What is important is that serious efforts to combat corruption at all levels continue to be pursued vigorously and effectively. We have an ongoing dialogue with the government on corruption."

And Ambassador Booth stated that the United States supports all those who stand for free, responsible and independent press.

"Americans believe a free and independent press, one that is able to question and criticize government actions and policies, is fundamental to any democracy. It is important that Zambians inform themselves, debate the issues and advocate for the media freedoms they desire," Ambassador Booth stated. "I'm also including the following quote made by US President Barack Obama on World Press Freedom Day: '... in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (is) the fundamental principle that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.'"

Meanwhile, National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU) general secretary Yotam Mtayachalo advised Chiluba to humble himself.

"I would like to take this opportunity to advise former president Chiluba to humble himself before the Zambian people after his acquittal than entangle himself in a number of issues which may send wrong signals to the outside world. Dr Chiluba should not start to make demands because it is premature for him to do so and should let the dust to settle," Mtayachalo said. "It is premature in the sense that we have been told that there are a number of pending cases of alleged embezzlement of public funds. I feel most Zambians would be happy to see Dr Chiluba being cleared of these serious allegations of corruption which were levelled against him by the state. I strongly feel that allegations of US $20 million arms deal, Carlington maize and colbalt scams and proceeds of privatisation funds are serious issues of national interests which cannot just die a natural death."

He said it would be to his advantage if Chiluba was cleared of the allegations because that was the only way he could restore his damaged reputation.

"I would be happy if he can help the government to shade more light on these allegations so that the money can be recovered. I want also to advise the government to handle Dr Chiluba's US $8.5 million claim and the restoration of his immunity with a lot of caution to avoid sending a wrong signal to the people of Zambia and the donor community because such a move if not properly handled may boomerang. There is a lot of resentment on the Zambian streets concerning this matter and my humble advice to our government is that extra care must be exercised before entertaining such a request," Mtayachalo said. "I agree with people who have the view that Dr Chiluba must provide proof on how he acquired that money. So that neither himself nor the people of Zambia are disadvantaged especially that the said money is in the government account. If the money was donated by well-wishers, we need to know whether it was donated to the party or the state. I believe that donations received by the President is done so on behalf of the party or the state and cannot be a property of an individual.

"This is probably the more reason why Dr Chiluba's government grabbed the vehicles from former President Kaunda which were donated to him by the late Iraq president Saddam Hussein. His government is also on record of having converted new UNIP headquarters along Independence Avenue in Lusaka because we were told to believe it was built out of public funds."

He said if Chiluba was given back the US $8.5 million and his immunity restored without satisfactory explanations, it would be a very sad development.

"And a huge setback to the fight against corruption especially that government recently launched the national anti corruption policy. Dr Kaunda spent 27 years in State House but did not have such money and it therefore calls for Dr Chiluba to disclose the sources of that money he is claiming," said Mtayachalo.

"Giving that money to him without proof will be setting a bad precedent for the nation in the sense that any future President may also claim having put his or her money in the Zamtrop account and will be a recipe of corruption."

Labels: CHILUBA, DONALD BOOTH, TASK FORCE, USA

posted by MrK @ 2:08 PM