PRESIDENT Sata has called for the establishment of more permanent missions in Zambia to strengthen bilateral relations with other countries.
Mr Sata said Switzerland, Poland, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, the Netherlands, Cote d’Ivoire and Nepal should consider opening permanent missions in Zambia to strengthen the existing bilateral relations.
He said this at State House yesterday when he received letters of credence from 11 high commissioners and ambassadors accredited to Zambia.
The high commissioners and ambassadors were from Namibia, Mozambique, Russia, Switzerland, Poland, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Seychelles, the Netherlands, Cote d’Ivoire and Nepal.
“All of you who are in here today, I only believe Namibia, Mozambique and Russia, the rest I don’t believe you. You say this here but you don’t stay here. I don’t believe you. All the nice things you have said but you don’t stay here,” President Sata said.
He added: “If what you have said is true, go and tell you governments to open and establish permanent residents here.”
The high commissioners and ambassadors included Leonard Nambahu (Namibia), Jeronimo Rosa Joao Chivavi (Mozambique), Konstantin Kozhanov (Russia), Luciano Lavizzari (Switzerland), Anna Raduchowska-Brochwicz (Poland) and Constance Vingno (Philippines).
Others were Shehan Ratnavale (Sri Lanka), Claude Morel (Seychelles), Gerdine Sneller (Netherlands), Joachim Anvire (Cote d’Ivoire) and Arun Dhital (Nepal).
Those who will be based in Lusaka are Mr Nambahu, Mr Chivavi and Mr Kozhanov.
Mr Lavizzari and Ms Sneller will be based in Harare, Mr Anvire will be based in Kinshasa and the rest will be based in Pretoria.
And speaking before presenting their credentials, the diplomats pledged to work to the best of their abilities in strengthening the existing relations between their countries and Zambia.
Mr Nambahu said there is no doubt that Zambia’s economic, social and political growth is for the benefit of the southern African region.
Mr Chivavi said his Government is determined to work with the Zambian government in strengthening infrastructure development in transport and communication.
Mr Kozhanov said Russia will continue offering scholarships to Zambians as one way of helping the country with well-informed technocrats.
Mr Lavizzari said he is impressed with the progress Zambia has made in the political, social and economic development.
Ms Sneller said Zambia has a strong democratic foundation which can be seen from the 2011 general elections and that the Netherlands will continue to support Zambia’s key economic sectors.
Mr Anvire commended President Sata for promoting peace and reconciliation.
Ms Raduchowska-Brochwicz said Poland will continue to support Zambia’s democratisation policies and economic agenda.
Mr Vingno said he has been tasked to strengthen the relations with Zambia and that he will ensure he meets the set goals of bringing his country and Zambia closer.
Mr Ratnavale said he looks forward to exploring development and the economic agenda Zambia has put in place and see how the two countries can learn from each another.
Mr Morel said Zambia and Seychelles share a lot in tourism, art and culture as well as trade and investment and that he will ensure the two countries benefit from each other.
Mr Dhital said Zambia’s peace and democracy has been a beacon for many other countries and that he is privileged to be an ambassador to Zambia.
Sata the straight shooter
Remember the serpent is and will always be wise
He just want to create more jobs for relatives. What a shame!
I like him. limbi ubupuba no tulo kuti twapwako pa Zambia where you think a white man is the one who can develop your country.Atase!!!
Most countries have rules and a criteria for establishing a resident foreign mission. Among other things they require a minimum trade of $100 million and parliament approval. They just do not wake up and dream of opening missions anyhow.
straight shooting at the hart of diplomacy?
THAT’S THE REASON I PERSONALLY LOVE SATA. HE DOESN’T GO ROUND BEATING ABOUT THE BUSH. HE TELLS YOU WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT YOU AND THE REST IS UP TO YOU TO CHANGE. HATE HIM OR LIKE HIM THE MAN IS FRANK TO THE CORE. SATA, WE LOVE YOU MAN. READ IN THE TIMES OF ZAMBIA WHAT HE TOLD THE CHINESE COMPANY WHO WILL CONSTRUCT/RECONSTRUCT THE NEW KKIA.
Zambia uses a similar arrangement for economic reasons. Zambian Ambassadors accredited to same countries cover a few more where the government has not found it economical to have permanent missions. For example, the Zambian Ambassador to Russia also covers Ukraine, Georgia, etc. Australia is covered from China. Ivory Coast is covered from Ghana. Zambia does not have an embassy in Switzerland but a Permanent Mission to the U.N. That is why in the U.S. there is an embassy in D.C. and a Permanent Mission to the U.N. in New York. The man just does not understand things.
Does Zambia have a permanent mission in every country? If not, then why should Sata expect othe countries to do what Zambia has failed to do?
The man is just upset that by not having physical presence in Zambia it denies him an opportunity to open new embassies and appoint more of his and his wife’s relatives into diplomatic service.
Mr President! Only in Zambia!
The reason they don’t want to establish themselves here was the undiplomatic position and language demonstrated at the ceremony itself by Sata. They don’t want to be embarrassed by his uncouth behavior. By the way, does Zambia have a diplomatic mission in every country?
And you can imagine there are pipo praising him ati he says it as it is?There is what is called diplomacy and he was talking to diplomats.Only an ***** e can fail to see the embarrasment caused to the nation by this address.
You are partially right. So how will Sata feel when one of his Ambassador accredited to Sri Lanka (but stationed in India) is humiliated in a similar manner? Sata is such an embarrassment. You can always want to humiliate people just because you are president. He wants to be a Mugabe but he cannot be because at least Mugabe’s war is with UK and USA and not every other person that he comes across. What a loss of a president. Probably late Chakomboka would have done better.
It will only happen after the PF are voted off. Surely Sata must be aware that news of his insults is all over the world.
@ Peter, I feel pity for dull people like you. You can only praise some to be frank if they are talking from a point of knowhow, not from ignorance like the person you’re proud of.
Read 1.6 and 1.7 and you will realise how stuoid you are by backing foolishness.
Ba peter plz don’t display your bukopo in public. I don’t hate sata, but plz don’t mistake him for God the creator, anyone one has the ability to tell off, ridicule, or even insult anyone when they are in an advantageous position believe me, so be objective not ukubwatauka bukopo bukopo. Shaaaaa!