Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Associated Press - October 24, 2003
"After 39 years of independence it is unacceptable that we should have current levels of poverty in the country," Mwanawasa said in a radio and television broadcast Thursday night.
After laying a wreath at the foot of the Freedom Statue in Lusaka, Mwanawasa honored soldiers, priests, retired teachers and former politicians who had fought for the country's independence.
However leader of the opposition Forum for Democracy and Development Christon Tembo refused to attend the reception saying there was "nothing to celebrate."
The retired army Lt.-General has repeatedly accused Mwanawasa's government of paying lip service to Zambia's problems of poverty and HIV/AIDs. UNAIDS estimates that 22% of Zambia's population of 10 million are living with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Tembo said it would be unfair for him to enjoy himself while the majority of Zambians were wallowing in abject poverty and deprivation.
Conceding Thursday that HIV/AIDS was further entrenching poverty, Mwanawasa blamed foreign donors for denying his government funds to fight poverty effectively.
"With poverty there can be no dignity among citizens," he said in the broadcast.
He said the quality of education had declined due to lack of funds for teaching materials and to improve salaries.
There had also been a general decline in the health sector, leading to a dramatic drop in life expectancy, escalation of diseases as a result of HIV/AIDS related opportunistic infections while budgetary allocations have dwindled.
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