From kk at 90 Birthday Concert - Zambia Flash Back in 1964: Kaundas vision - President Kaunda - the only candidate in the August elections - has given his first news conference since taking office. He spoke of the new republics task of building a nation founded on respect for all people of all races, all colours and all religions. And he told journalists Zambia would support Britain if neighbouring Rhodesia - formerly Southern Rhodesia - made a unilateral declaration of independence. That declaration would meet resistance from all over the world and would not last, he said. The son of a Church of Scotland minister, Dr Kaunda, 40, has a reputation as a moderate and reasonable man, opposed to violence. He supports the preservation of 10 of the 73 seats in parliament for the Europeans, for at least the next four years. He hopes this will reassure the community of 70,000 Europeans in Zambia, most of whom work in the Copper Belt near the border with Congo and are of great economic importance to the country. Many have already left for South Africa fearing increased African resentment against them. One of Dr Kaundas first acts as head of state was to release 200 freedom fighters jailed for sedition by the colonial administration. He has also sent letters to the South African Prime Minister asking for African leaders, including Nelson Mandela, to be imprisoned in Zambia rather than their homeland. Lusaka is currently home to the headquarters of 15 African freedom movements, including Zanu and Zapu
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 19:29:33 +0000
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