Zambia received no sufficient information from Amnesty International to arrest former US President George W. Bush, the country's president Michael Sata said. The former US president was visiting Zambia this weekend to raise awareness about cervical and breast cancer.
Bush
had a stop over in Zambia after visiting Tanzania and before he left for
Ethiopia. The Amnesty International had made fresh calls on these three
countries to arrest Mr. Bush during his trip to Africa.
On Saturday, Zambia has dismissed the international rights group’s call for the arrest on torture charges of former President George W. Bush, who has been touring Africa to raise awareness about cervical and breast cancer.
“On what basis does Amnesty International want us to arrest President Bush?” Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili asked.
Kambwili said Zambia would have considered the request only if it had come from the International Criminal Court acting on behalf of international organizations like the United Nations.
Earlier in the week, Amnesty International said it had asked Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia to arrest Bush, “someone who has admitted to authorizing waterboarding.” As president, Bush authorized the interrogation technique that simulates drowning and is viewed as torture by many.
Bush is warmly remembered across Africa for his U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which since 2003 has provided AIDS treatment to millions on the continent hardest hit by the disease. Bush started his Africa tour in Tanzania and he launched his Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon project Friday in Zambia.
Also, Sata has refuted that the visit by Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe to Zambia had any connection with the visit of Mr Bush. He explained that Mr. Mugabe is an African neighbor and that his visit to Zambia during Mr. Bush’s trip to Africa is a coincidence. The President told journalists that during Mr. Mugabe’s visit on Saturday the Heads of State discussed issues regarding unity of Africa.
On Saturday, Zambia has dismissed the international rights group’s call for the arrest on torture charges of former President George W. Bush, who has been touring Africa to raise awareness about cervical and breast cancer.
“On what basis does Amnesty International want us to arrest President Bush?” Zambia's Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili asked.
Kambwili said Zambia would have considered the request only if it had come from the International Criminal Court acting on behalf of international organizations like the United Nations.
Earlier in the week, Amnesty International said it had asked Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia to arrest Bush, “someone who has admitted to authorizing waterboarding.” As president, Bush authorized the interrogation technique that simulates drowning and is viewed as torture by many.
Bush is warmly remembered across Africa for his U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which since 2003 has provided AIDS treatment to millions on the continent hardest hit by the disease. Bush started his Africa tour in Tanzania and he launched his Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon project Friday in Zambia.
Also, Sata has refuted that the visit by Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe to Zambia had any connection with the visit of Mr Bush. He explained that Mr. Mugabe is an African neighbor and that his visit to Zambia during Mr. Bush’s trip to Africa is a coincidence. The President told journalists that during Mr. Mugabe’s visit on Saturday the Heads of State discussed issues regarding unity of Africa.
No comments:
Post a Comment