. Kalaba

By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO –
ZAMBIA will continue enjoying sound foreign relations with the international community because of the country’s good human rights records, Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba has said.
Mr Kalaba said the Patriotic Front (PF) respected the rule of law and dignity of every person as evidenced by the manner in which the opposition parties, among others, were free to hold public gatherings and enjoy freedom of speech.
Speaking when he featured on Radio Phoenix’s ‘Let the People Talk’ programme in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Kalaba said the PF had no intention of trampling on peoples’ rights, as the country was committed to ensuring democratic rights were upheld.
“Zambia is considered highly by the international community because of its human rights record and Government wants to build on its relations with various countries,” he said.
Mr Kalaba said the Government was committed to increased trade relations with the United States of America government and other countries and that the recently held US-Africa summit provided the opportunity to deepen ties with the international community.
He said the country was currently working with the US government with regards to water reticulation under the Millennium Challenge Account project and hoped that this would be rolled out to the country’s rural parts.
Mr Kalaba said Zambia was well represented by various people working in foreign missions and that Government was eager to improve their conditions of service.
On the Ebola disease, Mr Kalaba said the Ministry of Health and Home Affairs had set up several screening points to ensure the deadly disease did not enter the country.
“Measures are being put in place to ensure the disease does not enter the country,” he said.
He encouraged people to be cautious when they travelled to areas where the disease was present.
He also said the massive construction of roads, hospitals and schools under the PF leadership around the country had renewed hope among the people.