VJ Mwaanga
Veteran politician Vernon Mwaanga has told Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba that he is disappointed and angry with his conduct.
Mwaanga a former Diplomat and ex-Foreign Affairs Minister has told Kalaba that he is being childish in the manner he is handling issues adding that his threats at him have no substance.
Below is what Mwaanga commonly known as VJ full response:
I sent Kalaba the following initial response ” Hon Minister , I have received your letter dated 20th April, 2016, concerning the printing of ballot papers by ECZ in Dubai .
I am very disappointed and angry that you held a press briefing and made remarks before verifying what i had actually said. My statement was in writing as always and i expected you to verify what i had actually said.
I have been a Chief Election Observer in Uganda and have established very strong links with its people and civil society. All i was saying is that there is information available on blogs and websites in Uganda containing information about dictator Yoweri Museveni which required “verification”. What is wrong with verification? I am a consumate diplomat I choose my words very carefully”. The second part of my message to Kalaba.”
Now the media are calling me to find out if I have received your letter. Minister, this is childish and shows immaturity and lack of seriousness in dealing with issues.
As I have already said, everything is reduced to cheap politics and electioneering. I know my rights and obligations as a mature citizen and your threats are without substance and meaning. What I talked about had nothing to do with diplomacy, a field I know and understand. It had to do with verification of where the printing of ballot for the people of Zambia will take place. You are not a replacement for the people . You and your government are servants of the people and not their masters. Since you have chosen this path of public confrontation and not engagement, I am ready for a marathon and not a sprint run.”
Vernon Mwaanga
