Kelly Walubita

Luanda, 12/21 - The Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kelly Walubita, has said in Luanda that the consensus reached at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting, held here, urges the reflection of the measures to take to tighten the UN sanctions against the UNITA rebel movement.

The official made this remark when addressing the press on departure from Luanda, where he attended the SADC Political, Defense and Security Body on December 17-18.

He added that the meeting took strong conclusions, mainly against UNITA, a force that destabilizes, not only in Angola, but also in Zambia.

Kelly Walubita stated that his country, in the capacity of a member state of the sanctions Committee on UNITA continues to accomplish them and assures the Angolan people that it, as a neighboring country, will keep on to cooperate, so that the enemy does not undermine the region.

The Zambian official said that the engagement of his country, through the Angolan/Zambian/Namibian Tripartite Commission, in which they agreed to work together for the pacification in the common borders.

In addition, Kelly Walubita said that besides leading the delegation of his country to the SADC Meeting, he also came to Angola as an envoy of the Zambian President, Frederick Chiluba, to discuss bilateral issues between both countries.

He underlined that he informed the Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos, about the 57 Zambians who were abducted during an attack on Boma district (Zambia), that are in Angola, currently.

During the meeting, Kelly Walubita also delivered a message from the Zambian President to his Angolan counterpart, that focuses on issues related to the existing relations of cooperation and fraternity between the two neighboring countries.

The Zambian Foreign Minister expressed satisfaction with the reply of the Angolan President that assured him on the ongoing actions for the repatriation of the Zambians who were kidnapped to vote in the elections, being held on December 27.

Zambian foreign affairs minister Kelly Walubita on Tuesday night said in a TV interview that the two countries were mapping out the logistics of the demining programme.

Walubita was speaking on his return from a two-day official visit to Angola.

Zambia and Angola have also agreed to rehabilitate the Benguela railway to enhance economic co-operation and trade.

During his trip Walubita urged Unita leader Jonas Savimbi to adhere to the terms of the Lusaka Protocol, which seeks to restore peace in Angola.

These claims have been sharply denied by Zambia's Foreign Minister, Kelly Walubita.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Kelly Walubita has summoned Ambassador Lomoy to his office to explain certain things about homosexuality, AANA said.

Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim, the entire Zambian cabinet, including Foreign Minister Hon. Kelly Walubita, Home Affairs Minister, Hon. Peter Machungwa, Information Minister, Hon. Vernon Mwanga, and Presidential and Legal Affairs Minister, Hon. Eric Silwamba.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kelly Walubita told the first meeting of the COMESA committee on peace and security in Lusaka, late April, that duplication of duties and conflict of interests between organisations should be avoided.

He noted that COMESA was a sum total of member states which belong to other sub-regional groupings.Those groups, he said, had already formed similar organs to deal with matters of peace and security.

Walubita called upon the participants to examine the gaps not covered by other regional groupings and consider ways in which COMESA could address them in search of a lasting solution to peace and stability in the region.

He advised the meeting to consider the important roles of the various systems of the UN and the OAU, with a view to determine how COMESA contributes toward the maintenance of peace and security in the world.

Peace, security and political stability are vital preconditions for regional economic development and integration, he noted.

"Vital aspects of regional economic integration and development, such as free movement of goods, services, capital and persons cannot be attained in an environment of instability", Walubita cited.

Foreign Affairs Minister Kelly Walubita has summoned the Norwegian Ambassador to his office to explain "certain things" about homosexuality.

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The ministry said in a press release issued here on Sunday that Chiluba, who is chairman of the committee, will be accompanied by Presidential Affairs Minister Eric Silwamba and Foreign Affairs Minister Kelli Walubita.