Wayzata World Factbook 1995/World Factbook - 1995 Edition - Wayzata Technology (1995).iso/mac/text/Build/orig BACKGR/BNOT0114.TXT

Text File | 1994-11-21 | 26KB | 531 lines

National Trade Data Bank
ITEM ID     : ST BNOTES ZAMBIA
DATE        : Oct 28, 1994

AGENCY      : U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
PROGRAM     : BACKGROUND NOTES
TITLE       : Background Notes - ZAMBIA

Source key      : ST
Program key     : ST BNOTES
Update sched.   : Occasionally
Data type       : TEXT
End year        : 1992
Date of record  : 19941018
Keywords 3      :
Keywords 3      : | ZAMBIA

BACKGROUND NOTES:  ZAMBIA
PUBLISHED BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE

SEPTEMBER 1992
Official Name:   Republic of Zambia

PROFILE

Geography
Area:  752,614 sq. km. (290,585 sq. mi.); slightly larger than
Texas.  Cities:   Capital--Lusaka (pop. 982,000).  Other
cities--Kitwe (348,000), Ndola (376,000), Livingstone (84,000),
Kabwe (167,000). Terrain:  Varies; mostly plateau savanna.
Climate:  Generally dry and temperate.

People
Nationality:  Noun and adjective--Zambian(s).  Population (1991):
8 million.  Annual growth rate:  3%.  Ethnic groups:  More than 70
tribal groups. Religions: Christian, indigenous beliefs.
Languages:  English (official), about 70 local languages and
dialects, including Bemba, Tonga, Nyanja, Lozi, Luvale, Ndembu
(Lundu), and Kaonde.  Education:  Years compulsory--7.
Attendance--less than 50% in grades 1-7.  Less than 20% of primary
school graduates are admitted to secondary school.  Literacy--54%.
Health:  Infant mortality rate--87/1,000.  Life expectancy--51 yrs.
Work force:  Agriculture--60%. Industry and commerce--40%.

Government
Type:  Republic.  Independence:  October 24, 1964.  Constitution:
1991.

Branches:  Executive--president (chief of state), cabinet.
Legislative--unicameral National Assembly.  Judicial--Supreme
Court, high court, magisterial court, and local courts.

Ruling political party:  Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).
Suffrage: Universal adult.

Subdivisions:  Nine provinces subdivided into districts.

Flag:  Green field with small vertical stripes (red, black, orange)
in lower right corner and orange eagle above stripes.

Economy
GDP (1991):  $4.2 billion.  Annual growth rate:  1%.  Per capita
GDP:  $380.

Natural resources:  Copper, cobalt, zinc, lead, coal, emeralds,
gold, silver, uranium, hydroelectric power, fertile land.

Agriculture:  Products--corn, tobacco, cotton, soybeans,
groundnuts, sugar cane, livestock, and horticultural products.

Industry:  Types--mining, transport, construction, foodstuffs,
beverages, chemicals, textiles, fertilizers.

Trade (1990):  Exports--$1.3 billion: copper, cobalt, lead, and
zinc.  Major markets--Japan, Italy, France, China.  Imports--$1.1
billion:  crude oil, manufactured goods, machinery, transport
equipment, foodstuffs.  Major suppliers--South Africa, UK, Japan,
US, Germany.

Official exchange rate (June 1992):  140 kwacha=US$1.

Bilateral economic aid:  Major donors--US, UK, Netherlands, EC,
Japan, Germany, Nordic countries.  In early 1992, Zambia's economic
reform program qualified for new assistance from the World Bank and
is being monitored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).  Other
donors include 17 UN organizations and at least 25 multilateral and
non-governmental organizations.  n


PEOPLE
Zambia's population comprises more than 70 Bantu-speaking tribes.
Some tribes are small, and only two have enough people to
constitute at least 10% of the population.  Most Zambians are
subsistence farmers.  The predominant religion is a blend of
traditional beliefs and Christianity.

Expatriates, mostly British (15,000 in 1986) or South African, live
mainly in Lusaka and in the copperbelt in northern Zambia, where
they are employed in mines and related activities.  Zambia also has
a small but economically important Asian population, most of whom
are Indians. The country is 42% urban.

HISTORY
The indigenous hunter-gatherer occupants of Zambia began to be
displaced or absorbed by more advanced migrating tribes about 2,000
years ago.  The major waves of Bantu-speaking immigrants began in
the 15th century, with the greatest influx between the late 17th
and early 19th centuries.  They came primarily from the Luba and
Lunda tribes of southern Zaire and northern Angola but were joined
in the 19th century by Ngoni peoples from the south.  By the latter
part of that century, the various peoples of Zambia were largely
established in the areas they currently occupy.

Except for an occasional Portuguese explorer, the area lay
untouched by Europeans for centuries.  After the mid-19th century,
it was penetrated by Western explorers, missionaries, and traders.
David Livingstone first saw Victoria Falls in 1855.

In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, spearheading British commercial and
political interests in central Africa, obtained a mineral rights
concession from local chiefs.  In the same year, Northern and
Southern Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively) were
proclaimed a British sphere of influence. Southern Rhodesia was
annexed formally and granted self-government in 1923, and the
administration of Northern Rhodesia was transferred to the British
Colonial Office in 1924 as a protectorate.

In 1953, both Rhodesias were joined with Nyasaland (now Malawi) to
form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.  Northern Rhodesia
was the center of much of the turmoil and crisis that characterized
the federation in its last years.  At the core of the controversy
were insistent African demands for greater participation in
government and European fears of losing political control.

A two-stage election held in October and December 1962 resulted in
an African majority in the Legislative Council and an uneasy
coalition between the two African nationalist parties.  The council
passed resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia's secession from
the federation and demanding full internal self-government under a
new constitution and a new national assembly based on a broader,
more democratic franchise. On December 31, 1963, the federation was
dissolved, and Northern Rhodesia became the Republic of Zambia on
October 24, 1964.

At independence, despite its considerable mineral wealth, Zambia
faced major challenges.  Domestically, there were few trained and
educated Zambians capable of running the government, and the
economy was largely dependent on foreign expertise.  Abroad, three
of its neighbors--Southern Rhodesia and the Portuguese colonies of
Mozambique and Angola--remained under white-dominated rule.
Rhodesia's white-ruled government unilaterally declared
independence in 1965.  In addition, Zambia shared a border with
South African-controlled South-West Africa (now Namibia).  Zambia's
sympathies lay with forces opposing colonial or white-dominated
rule, particularly in Southern Rhodesia.  During the next decade,
it actively supported movements such as the Union for the Total
Liberation of Angola (UNITA), the Zimbabwe African People's Union
(ZAPU), the African National Congress of South Africa (ANC), and
the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO).

Conflicts with Rhodesia resulted in the closing of Zambia's borders
with that country and severe problems with international transport
and power sup-ply.  However, the Kariba hydroelectric station on
the Zambezi River provided sufficient capacity to satisfy the
country's requirements for electricity.  A railroad to the
Tanzanian port of Dar es Salaam, built with Chinese assistance,
reduced Zambian dependence on railroad lines south to South Africa
and west through an increasingly troubled Angola.

By the late 1970s, Mozambique and Angola had attained independence
from Portugal, while Zimbabwe had achieved independence in
accordance with the 1979 Lancaster House agreement.  Zambia's
problems did not abate, however.  Civil war in the former
Portuguese colonies generated refugees and caused continuing
transportation problems.  The Benguela Railroad, which extended
west through Angola, was essentially closed to traffic from Zambia
by the late 1970s. Zambia's strong support for the ANC, which had
its external headquarters in Lusaka, created security problems as
South Africa raided ANC targets in Zambia.

In the mid-1970s, the price of copper--Zambia's principal
export--suffered a severe decline worldwide. Zambia turned to
foreign and international lenders for relief; but as copper prices
remained depressed, it became increasingly difficult to service its
growing debt.  By the late 1980s, Zambia had the highest percentage
of gross domestic product (GDP) consumed by foreign debts in
Africa.

GOVERNMENT
Zambia was the first British territory to become a republic
immediately upon attaining independence.  The constitution
promulgated on August 25, 1973, abrogated the original 1964
constitution.  The new constitution and the national elections that
followed in December 1973 were the final steps in achieving what
was called a "one-party participatory democracy."

The 1973 constitution provided for a strong president and a
unicameral national assembly.  National policy was formulated by
the Central Committee of the United National Independence Party
(UNIP), the sole legal party in Zambia.  The cabinet executed the
central committee's policy.

In accordance with the intention to formalize UNIP supremacy in the
new system, the constitution stipulated that the sole candidate in
elections for the office of president was the person selected to be
the president of UNIP by the party's general conference.  The
second-ranking person in the Zambian hierarchy was UNIP's secretary
general.

In December 1990, at the end of a tumultuous year that included
riots in the capital and a coup attempt, President Kaunda signed
legislation ending UNIP's monopoly on power.  In response to
growing popular demand for multi-party democracy, and after
lengthy, difficult negotiations between the Kaunda Government and
opposition groups, Zambia enacted a new constitution in August
1991.  The constitution enlarged the National Assembly from 136
members to a maximum of 158 members, established an electoral
commission, and allowed for more than one presidential candidate.
Moreover, candidates no longer had to be members of UNIP.  Under
the present constitution, the president is elected directly by
universal suffrage and may serve a maximum of two 5-year terms.
The National Assembly is comprised of 150 directly elected members,
up to 8  presidentially appointed members, and a speaker.  Zambia
is divided into nine provinces, each administered by an appointed
governor.  Multiparty elections for president and parliament were
held in October 1991.

The Supreme Court is the highest court and the court of appeal;
below it are high court, magistrate's court, and local courts.

Principal Government Officials
President--Frederick Chiluba
Vice President--Levy Mwanawasa
Minister of Foreign Affairs--Vernon Mwaanga
Ambassador to the United States--Dunstan Kamana
Ambassador to the United Nations--Otema Musaka


Zambia maintains an embassy in the United States at 2419
Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. [phone]).


POLITICAL CONDITIONS
The major figure in Zambian politics from 1964 to 1991 was Kenneth
Kaunda, who led the fight for independence and traditionally
bridged the rivalries among the country's various regions and
ethnic groups.  Kaunda tried to base government on his philosophy
of "humanism," which condemns human exploitation and stresses
cooperation among people but not at the expense of the individual.

Kaunda's political party--the United National Independence Party
(UNIP)--was founded in 1959 and was in power under Kaunda's
direction since the country gained independence in 1964.  Before
1972, Zambia had three significant political parties--UNIP, the
ANC, and the United Progressive Party (UPP).  The ANC drew its
strength from western and southern provinces, while the UPP found
some support among Bemba-speakers in the copperbelt and northern
provinces.  Although not strongly supported in all areas of the
country, only UNIP had a nationwide following.

In February 1972, Zambia became a one-party state, and all other
political parties were banned.  Kaunda, the sole candidate, was
elected President in the 1973 elections.  Elections also were held
for the National Assembly.  Only UNIP members were permitted to
run, but these seats were sharply contested.  President Kaunda's
mandate was renewed in December 1978 and October 1983 in a "yes" or
"no" vote on his candidacy. In the 1983 election, more than 60% of
those registered participated and gave President Kaunda a 93% "yes"
vote.

Growing opposition to UNIP's monopoly on power led to the rise in
1990 of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).  The MMD
assembled an increasingly impressive group of important Zambians,
including prominent UNIP defectors and labor leaders.  During the
year, President Kaunda agreed to a referendum on the one-party
state and, in the face of continued opposition, dropped the
referendum and signed a constitutional amendment making Zambia a
multiparty state.  Zambia's first multiparty elections for
parliament and the presidency since the early 1970s were held on
October 31, 1991.  Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD)
candidate Frederick Chiluba resoundingly carried the presidential
election over Kenneth Kaunda by winning 81% of the vote.  To add to
the MMD landslide, in the parliamentary elections the MMD won 125
of the 150 elected seats and UNIP the remaining 25.  However, UNIP
swept the Eastern Province, gathering 19 of its seats there.

ECONOMY
The Zambian economy is based primarily on its state-controlled
copper industry.  Traditionally, the copper industry has accounted
for a significant portion of the GDP, from one-third to one-half of
government revenues, and more than 90% of Zambia's foreign-exchange
earnings.  Due to a sharp decline in world copper prices in 1975,
prolonged drought, internal management problems, and limited
expertise, Zambia's economy has severely declined for more than a
decade, with reduced imports, rising unemployment, and growing
foreign debt.  Copper production has fallen to less than 500,000
metric tons per year from a 1976 high of 720,000 metric tons.
Unless the copper company can make massive improvements in its
facilities, production will continue to decline.

In late 1982, the government restricted public spending, reduced
government subsidies, raised farm-producer incentives, and devalued
the currency, first by fiat and then by introducing a
foreign-exchange auction system in 1985.

In February 1986, Zambia and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
agreed on a new 2-year standby program designed to restore
financial discipline, restructure external debt, and promote
non-mineral exports.  In December 1986, in response to sharp rises
in the price of staples and food shortages, rioting erupted in the
copper-producing region, and at least 15 people were killed.  The
government, convinced that economic reform policies were
responsible, abandoned the IMF program in May 1987, citing
unacceptably high social, economic, and political costs.  At the
same time, the government emphasized that it had not abandoned its
efforts to restructure Zambia's economy; rather, it would pursue
restructuring on its own terms and with its own plan.

By early 1989, in consultations with the IMF and the World Bank,
Zambia developed a new economic reform plan.  Despite food riots in
Lusaka in June 1990, the government adhered to its plan and earned
the support of Western donors.  In early 1991, Zambia qualified for
new World Bank assistance for the first time since 1987.  Progress
on economic restructuring stalled by mid-year when President Kaunda
failed to follow through on earlier commitments to the World Bank.
In mid-September, following Zambia's failure to meet a third
arrears payment in as many months, the World Bank formally
suspended all lending activity.  Several Western donors followed
suit by suspending their aid programs.  Immediately upon his
election, President Chiluba began to implement critical economic
reforms and reopened negotiations for the resumption of World Bank
and IMF programs.  As of January 1992, the World Bank again began
to provide assistance under the Economic Recovery Credit.  However,
the country's foreign debt remained in excess of $7 billion.

Although Zambia's reform plan includes privatization of most
government-owned enterprises, there still is substantial government
participation in many sectors through a system of state-owned or
state-controlled (parastatal) companies under one state-owned
holding company:  ZIMCO (Zambia Industrial and Mining Corporation
Ltd.).  More than 100 companies in the ZIMCO group contribute more
than 50% of Zambia's GDP and 30% of  total national wage
employment.

The most important component of ZIMCO is Zambia Consolidated Copper
Mines (ZCCM), which is 60% state-owned.  ZIMCO also includes most
energy industries, the transportation industry, major hotels,
wholesale and retail distributors, insurance, a commercial bank,
the fertilizer plant, breweries, saw mills, plantations, automobile
assembly plants, glass works, and other industries.  The government
recognizes that the inefficiencies and high costs of public-sector
domination contribute to the country's economic decline and has
announced its intention to privatize 80% of state-owned
enterprises.

Despite the dominant role of parastatals, the private sector plays
a vital role in the Zambian economy.  Private firms are
particularly active in the construction and highway transportation
industries, banking, and commercial agriculture.  Government has
moved toward a more market-oriented development approach;
private-sector investment, both domestic and foreign, is being
encouraged, particularly in agriculture and agribusiness through
new investment legislation and other incentives.

Agriculture is the main livelihood of half of Zambia's population.
Maize (corn) is the principal cash crop as well as the staple food.
Other important crops include groundnuts,  soybeans, cotton, sugar,
sunflower seeds, wheat, sorghum, millet, cassava, and tobacco.
Zambia has potential for significant increases in agricultural
production; only about 20% of an estimated 60 million hectares of
arable land is cultivated.  In the past, the agricultural sector
has suffered from low producer prices, difficulties in the
availability and distribution of credit and inputs, and the
shortage of foreign exchange.

Zambia is one of the most urbanized and industrialized countries in
Sub-Saharan Africa. Manufacturing, heavily import dependent,
primarily produces for the domestic consumer market.  Despite some
recent improvement, most plants operate at about 50% of capacity,
and output remains below that of 10 years ago.

As a landlocked country, Zambia depends on external transportation
routes, specifically road and rail routes through Zimbabwe and
Botswana to ports in South Africa and through Tanzania to the
Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam.  In recent years, the southern
route has increasingly carried Zambian imports, and exports through
Dar es Salaam have increased.  In 1984, the southern route carried
about 64% of Zambia's imports and 20% of its exports, while Dar es
Salaam handled 66% of exports and 32% of imports.  Since late 1986,
Zambia rerouted remaining copper exports transiting South Africa to
both Dar es Salaam and Beira, Mozambique.  In 1987, Zambia
announced that it had stopped exporting copper via the southern
route and South Africa.

During 1990, reacting to positive political developments in South
Africa, Zambia relaxed its restrictions on using South African
ports.  A new transportation route opened through Namibia to Walvis
Bay, which is of growing importance as a port for Zambia's imports
and exports.  Zambia is participating under the aegis of the
Southern African Development Coordination Conference (SADCC) in
efforts to restructure, rehabilitate, and improve the transport
infrastructure of southern and eastern Africa so as to reduce the
region's economic dependence on and vulnerability to events in
South Africa.

FOREIGN RELATIONS
Zambia is a member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the
front-line states, Southern African Development Coordination
Conference (SADCC), and the Preferential Trade Area (PTA).  Zambia
traditionally has been active in promoting peaceful change in the
southern African region.  Its major foreign policy goals have
included an end to the civil war in Angola and majority rule in
South Africa.  President Kaunda was a persistent advocate of
peaceful change in South Africa, meeting with the South African
president and foreign minister, ANC leaders Nelson Mandela and
Oliver Tambo, and Inkatha leader Buthelezi.  He also cooperated in
US efforts to promote peaceful solutions to regional problems.
Since his election, President Chiluba has established trade links
with South Africa and recognized Israel.

Zambia is a leading member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).  The
country has received development assistance from a number of
Western and neutral countries, the World Bank, and the
International Monetary Fund. China also has been a prominent donor,
particularly in the transportation sector, and North Korea has
undertaken some agricultural projects.

DEFENSE
The Zambian Defense Force (ZDF) consists of the army, the air
force, and Zambian National Service (ZNS).  The ZNS, while
operating under the Ministry of Defense, is responsible primarily
for public works projects.  The ZDF is designed primarily for
internal defense.

US-ZAMBIAN RELATIONS
Bilateral relations between Zambia and the United States were
strained during the last year of the Kaunda-led government but have
improved dramatically with the establishment of multiparty
democracy and the election of President Chiluba.  Zambia and the
United States share common political and legal traditions and agree
on the most pressing southern African regional goals:  successful
implementation--including free and fair elections--of the Angola
Peace Accord, a cease-fire in Mozambique, and ending apartheid in
South Africa.

The United States has a substantial foreign assistance program in
Zambia and has strongly supported its economic reform program.  In
addition to support for development projects--primarily in the
agricultural sector--the United States has provided food aid and
participated in international efforts to rehabilitate the Tazara
Railroad line, Zambia's principal land route to the Tanzanian port
of Dar es Salaam.  US efforts to assist Zambia in drought relief
can add an increasingly important positive element to bilateral
relations.  President Chiluba made a private visit to Washington,
DC, in February 1992, and Vice President Bush visited Zambia in
1982.

Principal US Officials
Ambassador--Gordon Streeb
Deputy Chief of Mission--Michael Arietti
Political Officer--Don Gatto
Economic/Commercial Officer--Necia Quast
Public Affairs Officer--Steadman Howard
AID Mission Director--Fred Winch
Consular Officer--William Fitzgerald


The US embassy in Zambia is at the corner of Independence and
United Nations Avenues (PO Box 31617), Lusaka (tel. 228595).

TRAVEL NOTES:
Climate and clothing:  Summer clothing is worn mid-August to
mid-May.  Light woolens are useful in winter (mid-May to
mid-August).

Customs and currency:  Travelers from the US must obtain entry
visas from the Zambian embassy in Washington, DC, or from the
Zambian mission to the UN in New York.  A valid passport and record
of inoculation for cholera are required.

Travelers may be asked to declare the currencies they hold at the
time of entry.  Restrictions have been placed on the export of
Zambian kwacha.

Health:   Standards in Lusaka and other urban areas are fair.
Water from the municipal system is considered potable, but boiling
is advised.  Malaria is endemic throughout the country, including
large urban areas, and malaria suppressants are essential.
Infections will result from bathing in streams, lakes, and ponds.
Although not required, vaccination against typhoid fever is
recommended; vaccination against yellow fever is required.

Telecommunications:   Direct-dialing within Zambia is limited.
International communications by telephone and telegraph are
adequate but expensive.  Direct international dialing is available
to Europe and North America. Lusaka is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich
mean time or 7 hours ahead of eastern standard time.

Transportation:   Airlines connect Lusaka with London, Paris, Rome,
Bombay, Nairobi, Johannesburg, and other cities in Africa.
Scheduled domestic service by Zambian Airways provides direct
connections to the larger provincial towns. Zambia Railways
provides passenger service within the country and to Dar es Salaam,
but service is slow.   Paved roads lead from Lusaka to Tanzania,
Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zaire.  Driving is on the left.
Rental cars and an inter-city "luxury" bus service are available.
The few urban taxis and buses are crowded, and schedules are
erratic.

Tourist attractions:   Victoria Falls is becoming the center of a
modern resort area with various accommodations. Kafue and Luangwa
Valley National Parks are among the largest in Africa.  Both parks
are abundantly stocked with native wildlife and offer full
accommodations to visitors. Several smaller parks near Lusaka offer
1-day trips. Regular air service operates between Lusaka and
resorts on Lake Tanganyika. Several small parks near Lusaka offer
1-day trips.

Published by the United States Department of State -- Bureau of
Public Affairs -- Office      of Public Communication --
Washington, DC --  September 1992 -- Editor:  Jo Brooks

Department of State Publication 7841
Background Notes Series -- This material is in the public domain
and may be reprinted without permission; citation of this source is
appreciated.  For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, US
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC  20402.