By Alex B. Atuhaire
September 18, 2003
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Says he wrote controversial WTO letter KAMPALA - President Museveni has conceded he wrote the controversial letter to the Ugandan delegation at the failed World Trade Organisation talks in Cancun, Mexico. In his letter, addressed to the delegation head, Trade Minister Prof. Edward Rugumayo, Museveni urged Uganda to support the US against Asia and Latin American countries. The letter reportedly suggested that Uganda was better off allying with the rich Western countries than with the poor Asian and Latin American countries. Museveni told journalists on Tuesday night that he's opposed to the double standards of the rich third world countries like India. "My position is clear and is in writing. It's with Rugumayo. My position is pro-Africa. I do my homework very well and whatever I write is well thought out. I have criticised the double standards of those rich third world countries," Museveni told a press conference at State House, Nakasero on Tuesday night. Museveni's criticism particularly singled out India, Brazil and China. He lashed out at the "lazy African leaders" who just endorse positions prepared by the rich third African countries. He accused The Monitor of being an ally to the "lazy boys of Africa". "Those African leaders because they don't do their home work very well, they just go for meetings and take a prepared position by India. There is more parasitism between the more developed parts of the world and sub-Saharan Africa," Museveni said. He said that while the rich third world countries don't want to address protectionism in their own backyards, they want to talk about the European Union and the US. The President cited an example of India, which has an external tariff on rice of 124 percent. He said that he talked to the Indian Prime Minister some time back. He said Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee told him that Uganda couldn't export her tea, cotton and textiles because India is self-sufficient.
The President said that he would explain his position in a detailed article to The Monitor. "I will blast that Monitor of yours. You wait, I will send them a missile, stay tuned," the President said -- causing laughter. Museveni again accused The Monitor of teaming up with the "lazy boys of Africa" to promote position of the rich third world countries. "The good thing, they have put their nonsense in writing and it gives me a chance to demolish that front page of The Monitor. History will judge them because after I have written, we shall see who is wrong," Museveni said. The President said that once he's finished with The Monitor, the paper would look like the Biblical Judas Iscariot. "Many years later even today, people know that that Judas betrayed Jesus. These things, which are written down, are very good," he said. "We shall work with India where we think they are right and we shall oppose them when they are wrong," the President said.
Museveni, who had called journalists to show them 50 children rescued from the Joseph Kony-led Lord's Resistance Army rebels, said that he wouldn't extend the amnesty. The 50 were part of the 500 rescued from captivity. He said that 6,000 children have been rescued from the rebels (since June 2001). "They [rebels] better come out because I will not extend the amnesty. Even then, I plan to kill them before the end of this year," he said. Museveni said that Teso is now free of the bandits save for the two groups operating in the northern part of the sub region. Sudan warned again Museveni also warned Sudan against supporting the LRA. He said that the UPDF would defeat with or without Sudan's support. "There is nothing they (Sudan) haven't given him (Kony). But Sudan has go to be very careful because we are watching them very closely and they know it. We don't need the UN because we can take care of ourselves. May be we shall just inform them to boost our case," he said. Museveni said that he would re-instate sacked presidential advisor, Maj. Kakooza Mutale, if the courts of law clear him. Mutale was sacked on August 6 Museveni said he sacked his most feared special political because he was in technical breach of the Leadership Code. "He has gone to Court and if it finds that he had reasonable cause not to declare his wealth in time, I will rescind my decision," the President said. Museveni said that reports suggesting that the Cabinet had 'stolen' the draft Constitutional Review Commission (CRC) report were empty. "That report will be presented to Cabinet so why steal the report. It's like stealing food from the kitchen when your wife is preparing it to bring it to the table. The report will come here. So why steal it?" he asked. |
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