News / National
West 'envious of Zimbabwe wealth,' says Kaunda
04 Oct 2013 at 12:34hrs | Views
Zambia's first president Kenneth Kaunda says the West is hostile towards Zimbabwe because it is envious of the country's wealth.
Dr Kaunda, who led Zambia to independence in 1964 from Britain, spoke strongly against the illegal sanctions that were imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries.
"Zambia and Zimbabwe have been together since the days of exploitation," Mr Kaunda told Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF delegation that called on him in Lusaka on Tuesday.
"The exploiters (West) are now very hard on Zimbabwe because of the immense resources your country has. Let's continue fighting for our interests in Africa. Those who had land in that country realised billions of dollars out of it," he said to the delegation led by Zanu-PF's Secretary for Information and Publicity, Rugare Gumbo.
Dr Kaunda said there is no need to demonise President Robert Mugabe, whose inauguration for the seventh term he attended.
At 89, Zambia's founding president is considered an icon of the liberation struggle, especially in the SADC region.
He praised Zambian President Michael Sata for embracing President Mugabe at the recent UN General Assembly, where some US delegates walked out after the Zimbabwean leader slammed the West for continuing sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Zambian media reported that after the speech, President Sata rose from his chair to hug his counterpart for a "good speech".
Dr Kaunda said he is confident the future of Zimbabwe is "shaping up".
The Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Rugare Gumbo said Dr Kaunda remains an icon of Zimbabwe and regional revolutions.
Gumbo recounted how Dr Kaunda housed Zimbabweans when they were under attack from colonial forces in the then Rhodesia.
He said Zimbabwe is largely a peaceful country even after the harmonised elections which were won overwhelmingly by Zanu-PF.
Dr Kaunda, who led Zambia to independence in 1964 from Britain, spoke strongly against the illegal sanctions that were imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries.
"Zambia and Zimbabwe have been together since the days of exploitation," Mr Kaunda told Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF delegation that called on him in Lusaka on Tuesday.
"The exploiters (West) are now very hard on Zimbabwe because of the immense resources your country has. Let's continue fighting for our interests in Africa. Those who had land in that country realised billions of dollars out of it," he said to the delegation led by Zanu-PF's Secretary for Information and Publicity, Rugare Gumbo.
Dr Kaunda said there is no need to demonise President Robert Mugabe, whose inauguration for the seventh term he attended.
At 89, Zambia's founding president is considered an icon of the liberation struggle, especially in the SADC region.
Zambian media reported that after the speech, President Sata rose from his chair to hug his counterpart for a "good speech".
Dr Kaunda said he is confident the future of Zimbabwe is "shaping up".
The Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Rugare Gumbo said Dr Kaunda remains an icon of Zimbabwe and regional revolutions.
Gumbo recounted how Dr Kaunda housed Zimbabweans when they were under attack from colonial forces in the then Rhodesia.
He said Zimbabwe is largely a peaceful country even after the harmonised elections which were won overwhelmingly by Zanu-PF.
Source - zbc
