Khama shuns UN general assembly again?

BAME PIET
Staff Writer | Wednesday September 15, 2010 00:00

 

According to weekly press updates from Office of the President Merafhe will depart for the UN Assembly on Saturday while President Khama will be mingling with the general public of Maunatlala, Goo-Tau and Mosweu villages at an evening fire event in Tswapong Constituency.

This is the third consecutive year that Khama has not attended the General Assembly, something which opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) say is likely to put Botswana at a disadvantage. MPs recently called on government to explain why the President is not attending international gatherings. The President rarely attends African Union gatherings.

However, government spokesman Dr Jeff Ramsay said the Vice-President is best suited to attend because of his background. He said that it is not expected of heads of State to attend the general assembly, which he said is just a formality. 'Some countries even send Ambassadors,' Ramsay said.

He added that even former president Festus Mogae used to delegate his ministers to attend the General Assembly on his behalf.

He added that Mogae only attended the Assembly when he was invited to make an address about the developments he was pushing for in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Ramsay said that he was satisfied with the President's international programme for this year adding that he has attended a lot more events than last year.

'The President recently visited Singapore, Australia, United Kingdom (UK) and met with President Barack Obama,' he said. He said that the president is also active on regional issues as he recently attended the SADC Summit in Namibia and made an official visit to Zambia.

He said that other countries are also coming here and that signals good relations between Botswana and her regional and international allies.