By Staff Reporter
Economic Front Leader Wynter Kabimba has written to both the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia and President Hakainde Hichilema expressing dismay and consternation over the remarks by USA Senator Jim Risch following his meeting with the Zambian President.
In the letters seen by Daily Revelation Media, Kabimba told the President that he has on several occasions disputed concerns from the opposition and other stakeholders who referred to him as a puppet of the west and one whose utmost objective is to turn Zambia into a vassal state of imperialism, saying his actions clearly showed what people have been asserting.
In the letter to the Chinese Ambassador, Kabimba stated that Zambia was appreciative of its relations with China and wished to maintain the non-aligned position the country has taken on international affairs.
“Re: Zambia-China Relations and US Foreign Committee Comments. I wish to refer to the above matter your Excellency which arose on the sidelines of the US-Africa meeting which was attended by His Excellency Mr. Hakainde Hichilema last week in Washington DC. The Economic Front (EF) received with dismay and consternation the remarks by US Senator Jim Risch following his meeting with President Hichilema which remarks we consider an affront to the long standing relations which have subsisted between the Zambian people and the people of China over the years,” the letter stated in part.
Kabimba stated that the two countries history was witness to the spirit of camaraderie manifested by the Chinese people to the people of Zambia in times of great need and despair, at the time when the US and its western allies were collaborating with the Apartheid regime in South Africa to embargo Zambian goods.
He argued that it was China which came to Zambia’s aid through the construction of the TAZARA railway line.
“We thought that President Hichilema would be familiar with this patch of our economic history. In view of the above, we wish to advise and inform the people of China through your office that our members remain profoundly grateful to the people of China and that an EF government will not be used by any foreign powers in the advancement of their interests against China,” Kabimba stated. “We shall, as Zambia has done in the past maintain a Non Aligned policy and continue to promote the cordial bilateral relations which have existed between our two countries.”
And in the letter to the President, Kabimba referred the head of state to the same matter which arose from his last visit to the US.
“As the Economic Front Party, we wish to press our concern and apprehension at the manner you seem to substitute the wider interests of the Zambian people for your own personal desires and self-interest as Head of State. You have on several occasions disputed the concerns by the opposition political parties and other stakeholders who have referred to you as a puppet of the US and its western Allies. A President whose utmost objective is to turn Zambia into a vassal State of Imperialism,” he stated.
Kabimba stated that the remarks by Senator Risch that the President was on a warpath against China’s alleged malign influence, confirmed the “albatross which you have todate not denied as a misrepresentation of your position.”
“In view of the above, we are left to wonder whether your interest as Head of State lies with the Zambian people or the US and its western Allies. Accordingly, we demand that you categorically state your position with the people of Zambia who voted for you and to whom you are accountable,” stated Kabimba
