Rupiah explains his corruption stance
By Chibaula Silwamba
Wed 07 Sep. 2011, 13:59 CAT
UNITED STATES embassy in Lusaka confidential cables released by Wikileaks have revealed why President Rupiah Banda has taken a soft stance on corruption. According to the cables, President Banda told World Bank vice-president that he could not take robust anti-corruption stance because he has multiple constituencies to satisfy.
And the cables revealed that immediate-past World Bank country manager Kapil Kapoor said President Banda's "friendship" with the late Frederick Chiluba could be because the former president had incriminating information on the incumbent or he was funding President Banda's 2011 re-election campaign.
Meanwhile, the cables revealed that the US government regarded Vice-President George Kunda as an obstacle to progress in fighting corruption.
Accoridng to cables prepared by Michael Koplovsky, then US embassy charge d'affaires, dated October 5, 2009, President Banda told the World Bank vice-president that he was committed to fight corruption but he was being "pulled in different directions".
"During a late September meeting on the margins of UNGA United Nations General Assembly in New York, IBRD Africa vice president told the Zambian leader, his trade minister Felix Mutati and State House economic advisor Richard Chembe that Banda needs to deal with the perception that he is soft on corruption," the cables read.
"Banda said it would be easier for him to tackle Zambia's corruption problems and the associated perception when and if he is re-elected to a full five-year term in 2011. Banda insisted that he did not fire Taskforce on Corruption leader Max Nkole; he simply decided not to renew his contract. When pressed for the reasons why, Banda responded that he 'needed people who are loyal' to him."
The cables revealed that Banda said he appreciated the private engagement he had with the donors' troika - the Netherlands, World Bank and United States - heads of mission and wished to keep that channel open. The cables revealed that Kapoor recounted the New York conversation during a well-attended donors' meeting in Lusaka on October 1, 2009 despite leaks of sensitive information, ostensibly from somebody within that group.
"Kapoor noted that Banda usually ultra-sensitive to criticism in the media did not raise recent leaks to the Zambian press. Kapoor speculated on the political pressures to which Banda alluded and concluded that Banda's new 'friendship' with the recently acquitted former president Chiluba is because Chiluba has incriminating information on Banda, has funding for Banda's re-election campaign, can deliver the remote swing Luapula Province in the 2011 elections, or a combination of the three."
In another cable prepared by Koplovsky dated May 28, 2009, the diplomat revealed that Sweden and the Netherlands's freezing of their development assitance to Zambia's health sector reflected mounting donor anxiety, not so much at corruption itself but the Banda-government's seemingly tepid response to it.
Koplovsky stated that seized with the idea that other donors would slash their funding, President Banda summoned numerous heads of diplomatic missions to State House on May 26, 2009 to reassure them of government's on-going commitment to fighting corruption.
Koplovsky stated that during the meeting, the diplomatic and donor community called for decisive government action to improve transparency of public procurement and financial management. He stated that these developments presented an opportunity to the diplomatic community, which had the government's full attention and which may be better poised to secure long-awaited government buy-in on several anti-corruption priorities, including anti-money laundering.
He stated that the Swedish charge d'affares and European Commission representative scolded Banda and his ministers on sector-specific policies and processes related to their development aid.
Koplovsky stated that the head of the UK's Department for International Development (DFiD) and the Dutch ambassador appealed to President Banda to demonstrate his commitment to fight corruption and establish the government's bonafides as a responsible and responsive government.
He said the Dutch ambassador sought to convey that Zambia's attractiveness as a partner and aid recipient was contingent upon its commitment to upholding corruption.
Koplovsky stated that President Banda agreed on the importance of introducing legislative and instutitutional reforms that would strengthen government's ability to prevent and prosecute corruption.
Koplovsky stated that President Banda said he hoped cooperating partners would be satisfied and would resume their aid, adding that "even if cooperating partners do not resume aid flows Zambia would still hold all to account".
"President Banda referred to justice minister and vice-president George Kunda as the coordinator of GRZ's anti-corruption efforts (despite Kunda's reputation as an obstacle to progress in fighting corruption). Kunda noted that the implementation of the newly passed anti-corruption policy is a governmen priority," Koplovsky stated.
"With regard to the Taskforce on Corruption which former president Levy Mwanawasa established to prosecute high-level corruption committed during the Chiluba presidency, Kunda suggested that it has concluded most of its cases (comment: this is not entirely true, given that most cases are in the appeal stage before the High Court) and the GRZ should now build the capacity of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions and ACC Anti Corruption Commission rather than fund the Taskforce in perpetuity."
Koplovsky stated that corruption had weakened public confidence in government but the Banda-administration had made significant progress in its anti-corruption campaign.
He stated that The Post reporters had played an important role in bringing new cases to light and placing pressure on the government for action and guiding the public towards zero tolerance of corruption.
"Although there is much cause for concern, Zambia has made significant strides in its anti-corruption campaign, which today features relatively independent judges, capable prosecutors, vigilant journalists and vocal civil society organisations," Koplovsky wrote.
He stated that numerous developments over the past six months had set government watchdog organisations ablaze with allegations that President Banda was at best not committed to and at worst interfering with the government's fight against corruption.
"They claim he is taking the country 'back to the Chiluba era' renown for the scale of national plunder and depredation of government assets that took place during the presidency of Frederick Chiluba (1991-2001)," Koplovsky wrote.
Among corruption scandals mentioned in the cables include the Dora Siliya-Zamtel-RP Capital saga, single sourced government's US $53 million mobile hospital deal with China, President Banda's friendship with Chiluba and Regina, Henry Kapoko -Ministry of Health saga, former ministry of finance permanent secretary and current ambassador to Japan Wamundila Mbikusita Lewanika's personal interest in a contracted public financial management project. Koplovsky wrote that on May 26, the executive director of the Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) told embassy officials that these corruption incidents were "but the tip of the iceberg".
The cables stated that President Banda's sons were rumoured to be involved in extremely diverse business deals including the RP Capital sole source contract. Koplovsky stated that, at present, many donors remained skeptical that the Zambian government would follow through its pledges.
"This tension points to a growing distrust between the donor missions and a country that may have grown too complacemnt as a 'donor darling' and recipient of huge amounts of foreign assitance," Koplovsky wrote.
"Although these strains may not break apart European-Zambia partnership, it does not bode well for Zambia's ability to draw in development assistance at the same proportions, let alone foreign investment. At every available opportunity, including during foreign minister Kabinga Pande's June meetings in Washington, it is worth noting that Zambian progress on anti-corruption is essential to the effectiveness of official development assistance and Zambia's own economic prosperity and poverty alleviation objectives."
Koplovsky stated that now that the diplomatic community had the government's attention, it was imperative to send a clear message on what type of specific reforms would best improve government accountability.
"Certainly, some of these reforms should focus on the transparency and efficiency of public procurement and financial management. However, broader legislative and institutional reforms, including whistleblower protection, asset disclosure and asset forfeiture laws and enhanced and well-funded, independent watchdog agencies, as well as robust and independent media are also vital," wrote Koplovsky.
In another cable dated November 30, 2009, then US ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth stated that on November 24, 2009, President Banda met and told him, representatives of the Dutch and World Bank that the donor community would "be sorry" if one of his political rivals wins the presidency in 2011 and would realise what a democrat he Banda was after he is gone.
"He intimated that his political rivals lacked his democratic credentials and cautioned that the donor community 'would be sorry' if they got into power," the envoy wrote. Ambassador Booth said President Banda blamed the lack of progress in many areas on inertia and that it was difficult to get his ministers to embrace "new ideas".
Ambassador Booth said the donor troika chief of missions told President Banda that it was critical that Zambia's 2011 elections be seen as credible and true expression of people's will.
"Banda agreed on the need to prevent violence," the cable reads in part. Ambassador Booth wrote that during the same meeting, President Banda took the opportunity to defend himself against recent allegations of impropriety and his government's perceived backsliding on democratic ideals.
"President Banda seemed very relaxed and engaged throughout the one-hour meeting. He often referred to the difficulty he has had winning Cabinet support for what he considers necessary reforms and shared how minister of home affairs Lameck Mangani and police chiefs had defended restrictive tactics based on outdated national security arguments," Ambassador Booth revealed.
"Banda's inability to rally his Cabinet behind him is telling, as he has never had the full support of the MMD leadership following former president Mwanawasa's death and his by-election win."
In a December 9, 2009 cable, Ambassador Booth stated that President Banda sacked then Attorney General Mumba Malila over the Dora Siliya saga and Dr Rodger Chongwe's US $5.9 million compensation claim. "Comment: President Banda committed a tactical error by doing a favour for a friend but blamed the blunder on his AG after news of Banda's intervention in the Chongwe case leaked to the press," wrote Ambassador Booth.
Labels: CORRUPTION, DONALD BOOTH, DONORS, KAPIL KAPOOR, RUPIAH BANDA, WIKILEAKS
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US signs 7 agreements with local NGOs
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Sun 17 Jan. 2010, 04:00 CAT
UNITED States Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth on Friday signed seven agreements totalling $65,000 in grants to Zambian organisations.
The self-help grants were awarded to community-based organisations for projects such as classrooms, libraries, irrigation equipment and boreholes. Funding comes from the American people through the US Ambassador's Special Self-Help Program.
During a signing ceremony, Ambassador Booth explained that Americans had been assisting communities and people throughout Africa since the programme's inception in 1964.
"The unique aspect of the Special Self-Help Program is that, unlike other aid programs, we work directly with people in their local communities," said Ambassador Booth. "Today in the room with us are teachers from Kasama, farmers from Mongu and environmentalists from Mpika. Small funding produces a large impact when the participants provide Zambian solutions to Zambian problems."
This year's grants will fund improved agricultural practices in Mpika and Mongu, construction of classrooms in Kasama and Livingstone, a library in Lusaka, toilet facilities in Kafue and a borehole for safe drinking water in Mpika.
Labels: DONALD BOOTH, GRANTS, NGOs
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Without press freedom, people are doomed to repeat mistakes – Booth
By Mutale Kapekele
Tue 15 Dec. 2009, 04:01 CAT
United States Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth yesterday said without press freedom, people are doomed to repeat mistakes. And information minister Ronnie Shikapwasha yesterday said the government will stick to the six months ultimatum given to the media to set up a self-regulatory body.
Speaking at the media capacity building and awareness workshop on self-regulation in Lusaka yesterday, Ambassador Booth said some people may not want to know about the sometimes unpleasant realities of the world.
“But without access to information and media freedom, people are doomed to repeat their mistakes,” Ambassador Booth said.
He said freedom of the press; speech and expression were the life-blood of democracy.
“The day we, as enlightened citizens of the world, stop talking about the most basic principles of democracy is the day that we jeopardise free society,” Ambassador Booth said.
“Without freedom of the press, average hard-working people would never know about the true horrors of war, of people yearning to be free and about government, business and civil society leaders who abuse their positions of trust.”
He said truly democratic countries were filled with many voices who expressed different and even contrary ideas and opinions.
“Democracy, by its very definition, implies respect for diversity, a diversity of opinions, ethnicities and religion,” Ambassador Booth said. “Our challenge is to defend our individual rights in a way that preserves the integrity of our societal values.”
Ambassador Booth said editors faced their own unique set of challenges as they sought to balance the demand for their audiences, advertisers and stakeholders with the ethics of journalism.
“Through what you (editors) write, edit, publish, journalism professionals propagate entire generations of thoughtful readers and viewers who learn to question the world around them and to think critically about the role they should play in their community,” said Ambassador Booth.
But Shikapwasha said the government would introduce a draft bill to Parliament if the media failed to honor the six months ultimatum which ends on December 31.
“When media representatives called on the Vice-President to express displeasure about attacks on media personnel sometime this year, the government asked the media representatives how long it was going to take them to check the glaring unethical excesses that were causing anger among political party cadres that were attacking them,” Shikapwasha said.
“The media representatives categorically responded that the media were ready for a self-regulating mechanism which would be ready within three months. The government felt that the time was too short and suggested that six months would be ideal. The government will keep its part of the bargain and its promise, if the media practitioners do not keep their promise.”
Shikapwasha said the government had been sincere and patient with the media and had no ill-intention towards them.
“The government has never had any ill-intentions against the press and if we go ahead to table a draft bill to Parliament, it is not because we want to suppress the press,” he said.
“The country has waited for ten years for the media to bring about a credible self regulatory mechanism. Zambia cannot afford to remain without media conduct and performance benchmarks.”
Shikapwasha said the government was interested in a mechanism that protected and enhanced freedom of the media, while ensuring that the freedom did not infringe upon the freedom and rights of the citizens and others in the country. He said it was in the public interest that those who enjoyed freedom of expression in the media industry had a mechanism that they all respected and one that would censure those who might abuse their freedom.
“Judging from the public reaction to the concerns about the conduct of some media houses, it is clear that there is need to rebuild public confidence in the media,” Shikapwasha said.
“The case of Mr Kalusha Bwalya, who is not a party cadre, makes sad reading but above all speaks volumes about the need to rebuild confidence in the media. Every day we drag our feet in the instituting of a credible mechanism, the resultant return is the rapid erosion of this public confidence.”
Recently, Bwalya slapped Post sports journalist in South Africa. Shikapwasha said Zambia risked being plunged into civil war should the media fail to regulate itself as was almost the case in 2006.
“In 2006, as the country approached elections, there was an unprecedented upsurge of the worst unprofessional and unethical media reporting this country has ever witnessed,” Shikapwasha said. “Such unprofessional reporting most people agreed that the country was at the brink of national wide chaos.
National peace came under severe risk as a result of an insensitive media, politically motivated media, unprofessional with regard to ethics. Lies were peddled by the media and fabrications were the order of the day. The public wondered whether there was any code of conduct for the media.”
Shikapwasha said the result of the unprofessional conduct of the media was violent attacks from political party cadres.
“Our country started witnessing violence against journalists which was a very disturbing phenomenon to the government,” Shikapwasha said. “It was generally established that the cause of the violence was that political party cadres were unhappy with the way their leaders were being reflected in the press. The cadres felt their leaders were being insulted and violence was a form of protest.”
Shikapwasha said the government hoped that the media would come up with an independent and effective complaints body through which aggrieved people could have their complaints addressed.
“It has been the concern of government that without a regulatory mechanism, law abiding people will be forced to go to court to seek legal redress, a path that is very costly. Most of our people cannot afford a lawyer,” Shikapwasha said. “In order to move forward, I call upon the media bodies to work with the government as we share one common interest and that is to develop mother Zambia.”
Shikapwasha said the major common interest for the media and the government should be the fight against poverty which was a threat to many people.
“It is not helpful to the people of Zambia to have a media industry that directs all its energies towards politics and creating enmity among the people. I implore the media in the country on interviewing sources that have developmental ideas and not those who only insult others. Insults make good reading only to those with depraved minds but will never bring development.”
Shikapwasha advised the media to rethink their role in poverty reduction and other national threats as their best guide as they tackled the issue of regulation. He also called on the media to rid itself of all those who masquerade as journalists as they gave a bad name to the media.
And speaking earlier, Press Association of Zambia president Andrew Sakala said their was no need for the government to introduce statutory regulation as the country had enough laws for all those who felt aggrieved by the media.
Labels: DONALD BOOTH, REGULATION, RONNIE SHIKAPWASHA
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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
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American envoy nods Chiluba trial
By Times Reporter
AMERICAN ambassador to Zambia, Donald Booth has said
the fact that former president Frederick Chiluba was made to stand trial on corruption charges shows that no one is above the law in Zambia.
Mr Booth said in Lusaka yesterday that the prosecution and ultimate acquittal of Dr Chiluba was an indication that Zambia respected the rule of law.
“The fact that former president Chiluba was brought to trial in Zambia for corruption shows that no one is above the law,” Mr Booth said.
He said that as American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recently stated during her visit to Kenya, true economic progress depended not only on the hard work of millions of people who got up every day and did the best they could, but on responsible governments.
“It also depends on responsible governments that reject corruption, enforce the rule of law and deliver results for their people,” he said.
And Finish ambassador to Zambia, Sinikka Antila said it was important that the Government of Zambia pursued a policy of zero tolerance on corruption.
Responding to a Press query yesterday, Ms Ankila said Zambia should intensify the fight against corruption as that was key to the country’s fight against poverty.
She added that good governance and fight against corruption were also key issues for attracting foreign direct investments.
“This case and the other civil case against Mr Chiluba have been followed closely both by us here and back home in Finland. Zambia is, after all, one of our main long-term partner countries for development,” she said.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, CHILUBA, DONALD BOOTH, USA
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US denies having CIA prison in Zambia
Written by Mwala Kalaluka and Masuzyo Chakwe
Thursday, January 29, 2009 9:48:28 AM
PATRIOTIC Front (PF) vice-president Guy Scott yesterday said it is improper for the US government to start pre-empting the Zambian government over revelations by the United Kingdom’s Guardian newspaper that a secret CIA prison exists in Zambia.
Scott's comments come in the wake of a statement by US Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth in which he denied the existence of any secret Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) prison facility or any similar entities in Zambia.
Scott, who raised a point of order in Parliament on Tuesday over the article in the Guardian, said the question aimed at clarifying the news story was not directed to the US government but the defence minister in the Zambian government.
Scott urged the US Embassy officials to wait for the Zambian government to give a position over the revelations, in view of the directive given by Speaker of the National Assembly Amusaa Mwanamwambwa to defence minister George Mpombo urging him to provide the truth or otherwise on the issue.
"We have done the right thing because we have raised a point of order on a story that we have and this government has a chance to clear the air. I do not know why the US government is trying to pre-empt the Zambian government," Scott said.
He said it was highly unlikely that the Guardian's inclusion of Zambia, as one of the 14 countries hosting CIA secret detention centres, was a mistake given the news publication's reputation for investigative journalism, especially around the issue of CIA 'black sites'.
Scott said it would be incumbent on President Rupiah Banda's administration to prove whether the map in question was false or not and that this was the reason a statement on the matter was being eagerly awaited.
"If it turns out to be true that we have CIA secret prisons, we are holding the government to account," Scott said. "If Zambia has been colluding in rendition and torture, it makes itself liable. We want proper human rights in this country."
Speaker Mwanamwambwa has directed that an official statement on the reports of the existence of a secret CIA detention facility in Zambia be brought before Parliament as soon as possible. Ambassador Booth noted in a press release yesterday that there had never been any such prison facilities in Zambia.
"There are not, nor have there ever been, US Government prisons or similar entities in Zambia," Ambassador Booth stated.
According to a map published in the UK’s Guardian of Friday January 23, 2009, Zambia has been highlighted as one of the countries with one CIA secret facility that President Barack Obama wants shut.
The source of the map was indicated as Reprieve, an international organisation that advocates for better prison conditions, among other legal aspects.
Labels: CIA, DONALD BOOTH, GUY SCOTT, GW BUSH, PF
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‘Obama to promote US, Africa partnerships’
By JERRY MUNTHALI and BRIAN KAYAYA
UNITED States ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth says the election of Democratic Senator Barack Obama as President will promote continuity of the USA’s partnership with African states.
Mr Booth, who was speaking at a post USA election press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, said Mr Obama had reiterated his commitment to further strengthen the USA’s partnership and engagement with Africa.
“During his campaigns, Mr Obama reiterated his commitment to strengthening ties with Africa in areas such as health, education and poverty eradication,” he said.
Mr Booth said although policy changes may occur, continuity of the USA’s engagement in Africa’s development was assured.
He said other global issues such as the global financial crisis were likely to be top of the agenda for Mr Obama’s administration.
He said his office also looked forward to working with President Banda’s government in fostering socio-economic development in Zambia.
Mr Obama emerged winner in Tuesday’s election after garnering 51 per cent of the popular vote against 49 for his republican rival John McCain.
The historic elections are the 56th in which USA citizens have participated to elect their national leader.
Mr Obama won in at least 25 state, representing 338 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 electoral votes needed to secure victory.
The President-elect is expected to be inaugurated on January 20 next year and will use the next two months to put in place his cabinet and team of officials.
And Mr Booth says Zambia has once again proved that she is a nation that fervently and successfully clings to democratic ideals despite being a relatively young democracy.
Mr Booth who is newly appointed ambassador to Zambia said this on Tuesday during the US election night celebrations.
“Last week and throughout this past weekend, people watched closely as Zambia elected its fourth President. Zambia has proved once again, that despite being a young democracy, it is a nation that fervently and successfully clings to democratic ideals,” Mr Booth said.
He was referring to Zambia’s presidential election last Thursday, which was won by MMD candidate, Rupiah Banda.
Mr Booth congratulated President Banda and the people of Zambia for the successful election.
Mr Banda beat three other contestants to get the State House job.
Others in the contest were Patriotic Front president, Michael Sata, his United Party for National Development counterpart, Hakainde Hichilema and Heritage Party’s Brigadier General Godfrey Miyanda.
Mr Booth said the US had come a long way from the days when women and African Americans could not vote.
He said he was happy that during the close primaries and throughout the tight general election campaign, the candidates travelled all around the US answering questions from Americans.
Mr Booth said the candidates articulated their positions on all the issues and tried to define how they could be the best President of the US.
He said this process, though long and expensive, forced the candidates to confront difficult issues head-on and to answer the American people face to face.
“It is a system that forces candidates to take stands on specific issues so that they can be held accountable by the voters,” Mr Booth said.
He said he looked forward to meeting the people of Zambia and hearing about ways the US and Zambia could continue working together.
Mr Booth said he was happy that America had made generous commitments to Zambia in good governance, the fight against corruption, education, HIV/AIDS, malaria, strengthening Zambia’s peace keeping capabilities and in the fight for gender equality.
Labels: BARACK OBAMA, DONALD BOOTH
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Gracefully conceding defeat is a US tradition, says Booth
Written by Mwala Kalaluka
Thursday, November 06, 2008 4:55:04 PM
UNITED States Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth yesterday said graceful concessions of defeat during elections gives the next administration a proper head-start in tackling national challenges.
And Ambassador Booth, who congratulated President-elect Barack Obama for emerging the clear winner in Tuesday’s general elections, said he does not anticipate a shift in the US policy of engagement in Africa following the election outcome.
Meanwhile, Siavonga UPND member of parliament Douglas Syakalima said he was embarrassed that whilst the developed world was electing leaders that were in line with the thinking of the 21st Century, Zambia was crawling backwards in that area.
Addressing the press at the American Centre, Ambassador Booth said there was nothing unusual about losing presidential contender Republican Senator John McCain for gracefully conceding defeat to President-elect Obama, because it was the US tradition.
"The tradition is that when it is clear that the candidate has secured the 270 electoral votes; has secured the majority of the states that represent the 270 electoral votes that the opposition candidate or candidates will concede," Ambassador Booth said. "They will do this, I think, out of the sense of bringing the country together; recognising that at times election campaigns can arouse the passion of their supporters...This tradition of conceding gracefully is something that helps the next administration to start to get to work and tackle the challenges that were identified in the campaign."
Ambassador Booth said the election of President-elect Obama as the country's first African-American president was a testimony of that country's unwavering commitment to democracy.
"Yesterday marked the 56th time that US citizens have gone to the polls peacefully to elect their President. It is testimony to the US's commitment to democracy as Abraham Lincoln said, 'the government of the people, by the people, for the people'," he said "Now Barack Obama is the President of the United States having won about 51 per cent - counting is still going on in some states - but about 51 per cent of the popular vote. He has won the majority in about 25 states and five more. You need about 270 votes to win, so he is clearly the winner of this election."
Ambassador Booth said between now and January 20, 2009 when the new President would be inaugurated, President George W Bush would remain head of state and commander-in-chief.
He said President-elect Obama would use this time to put together the team he would work with in his administration.
And Ambassador Booth said he does not expect a shift of policy in the US engagement in Africa following the election of a new administration in that country.
He said he envisages a continuation of this engagement by the Obama administration.
"During this campaign President-elect Barack reiterated his commitment to continue strengthening the partnership between the United States and Africa," he said. "With the US and Zambia elections behind us, I look forward to working with President [Rupiah] Banda and the government of Zambia to promote peace and prosperity in Zambia and the southern African region and around the world."
Ambassador Booth said the major issues that would need to be tackled back home include the economic and financial crisis and the levels of unemployment.
And during the US Election Night at the American Center last Tuesday, Ambassador Booth said though the process leading to his country's recent presidential election was long and expensive candidates were forced to confront issues head on by the voters.
Ambassador Booth said the process that was devised in Tuesday's US election forced candidates to take stands on specific issues so that they could be held accountable.
"These are my first remarks here in Zambia," Ambassador Booth said. "In a larger sense, we are here to celebrate the democratic process."
Ambassador Booth observed that the US had come a long way in enriching its democracy credentials, since the days when women and African Americans could not even vote.
"During the close primaries, and throughout this tight general election campaign, the candidates have traveled all around the United States, answering questions from Americans from all walks of life, articulating their positions on all issues and trying to define how they would be the best president of the United States," he said. "This process-though long and expensive-forces candidates to confront difficult issues head on, and to answer to the American people, oftentimes face to face."
Ambassador Booth said though both Zambia and the US face many challenges, they also share many positive attributes, including a commitment to the democratic process.
"Ambassador Booth said the world watched closely as Zambia elected its fourth president last week and he said the poll was proof that despite being a relatively young democracy, Zambia is a nation that fervently-and successfully-clings to democratic ideals," Ambassador Booth said. "I congratulate the people of Zambia for your successful election, and I have congratulated President (Rupiah) Banda as well."
Asked what his views were on the continued complaints of rigging in most of Africa's elections in view of the smooth US transition, Ambassador Booth said the people of Zambia were better placed to draw conclusions on the matter and not him.
But Syakalima said in an interview that Zambia was still miles away from following the American example of electing young leaders.
"The outcome of the US vote made me feel foolish and embarrassed as a Zambian that while the developed world are trying to put people who have a vision; people who are energetic, patient and intelligent, we are busy voting for people who can't explain things which we want as a country," Syakalima said. "In Africa, we are lagging behind because we are putting people that cannot fit with the thinking of the 21st Century."
Syakalima said it was a pity that when the new world order was taking a twist in the manner leadership is chosen, Zambia and Africa would only grasp the changing trends after so many years and as such the gap between the developed and developing worlds had continued to widen.
However, the National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU) general secretary Yotam Mtayachalo stated in his congratulatory message to President-Elect Obama that the ability for someone to deliver was a barometer to measure someone's suitability to be elected as president.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hailed President-elect Obama's victory as a moment which would "live in history as long as history books are written", saying he looked forward to working "extremely closely" with the new president.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy saluted President-elect Obama's "brilliant victory" and celebrated the American people's choice of "change, openness and optimism."
Leading a chorus of rapturous approval from French political leaders, intellectuals and the media, President Sarkozy said the message sent out by US voters "resonates well beyond your frontiers."
European Union policymakers and experts also hailed Obama's US presidential election victory as a chance for a fresh start at tackling the world's security and economic challenges, but some warned against raising expectations too high.
"We need to change the current crisis into an opportunity. We need a new deal for a new world. I sincerely hope that with the leadership of President Barack Obama, the United States of America will join forces with Europe to drive this new deal," said José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission president.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, congratulated the president-elect on his "historical election victory" and invited him to return to Berlin, where he held the only foreign rally of his campaign in July.
South Africa's President Kgalema Motlanthe was one of the first world leaders to offer congratulations to President-elect Obama.
"Your election to this high office of the American people carries with it hope for millions of your countrymen and women as much as it is for millions of people particularly those of African descent both in the continent of Africa as well as those in the diaspora," President Motlanthe said.
President Motlanthe hoped President-elect Obama's election would "contribute significantly to efforts in the continent of Africa to help bring about "change they can believe in."
President-elect Obama also received messages of goodwill from China, Pakistan, Israel, Afghanistan, India and South Korea.
Labels: AMBASSADOR, DONALD BOOTH
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