We need friendly countries to work with - Levy

12 December 2005

WE need friendly countries to work with us in meeting the challenges facing the country, President Levy Mwanawasa has said.

Receiving credentials from Indian High Commissioner to Zambia River O�Nell Wallang and the new Russian Ambassador to Zambia Dr Anvar Azimov at State House yesterday, President Mwanawasa thanked the government of India for the assistance it rendered to Zambia in various fields that are critical to economic development.

He said more could be done to consolidate and enhance the relations between the two countries.

�Among the many challenges facing Zambia today are widespread poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and the HIV/AIDS pandemic,� President Mwanawasa said.

�We therefore, look to friendly countries like India to work with us in meeting these challenges in order to uplift the living standards of our people.�

President Mwanawasa said Zambia recognised the rapid strides made by India in the last decade and a half in economic, technological and social development.

He also paid tribute to India for her leading role as a model and torch-bearer among developing countries in the promotion of democracy and the rule of law.

�My administration is determined to uplift the living standards of the people of Zambia. In this regard, government has placed agriculture, tourism, mining and manufacturing at the centre stage of its development efforts,� President Mwanawasa said.
On receiving credentials from Dr Azimov, President Mwanawasa said Zambia would greatly appreciate Russia�s support in its diversification programme.

He said private sectors in the two countries would be encouraged to interact for investment purposes.

�Zambia is offering great potential for foreign investment. I am hopeful that joint venture partnerships by investors in our two countries would be exploited,� President Mwanawasa said.
And Indian High Commissioner Wallang said the two countries have worked together towards progress and prosperity for their people.

�Currently, our two countries are working together to bring about the urgent and necessary reforms of the UN system, including the United Nations Security Council in order to reflect the voices of the developing world in this international body,� he said.

High Commissioner Wallang said India was encouraging its corporate sector to invest overseas.

And Dr Azimov assured President Mwanawasa that he would use his experience, knowledge and professional skill to further promote mutual understanding.

�I am taking liberty to state that one of my priorities will be to bring our modest trade, economic, military, scientific and cultural relations to a high level of our political dialogue and common approaches of both countries on major international problems and issues,� Ambassador Azimov said.

�I am a very practical diplomat and will measure my modest contribution to our relations by concrete and mutually beneficial steps.�

Meanwhile, President Mwanawasa yesterday took offence after acting State House police commissioner Graphael Musamba advised him to place his neck tie in position before a group photograph could be taken.

Musamba who was advised by one of the photographers to inform the President, gently walked to President Mwanawasa and whispered to him.

But immediately Musamba whispered to him, President Mwanawasa who was by then posing for a group photograph with High Commissioner Wallang responded: �No, you are embarrassing me. You just let photographers to carry on.�