From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:MALAWI: GOVERNMENT CLASHES WITH U.N. OVER REFERENDUM
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 03:07:55 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1992, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Reference: United Nations
Title: MALAWI: GOVERNMENT CLASHES WITH U.N. OVER REFERENDUM


lusaka, dec 8 (ips/fred chela) -- malawi authorities have
clashed with the united nations (u.n.) over the later's
recommendation that exiled malawians be allowed back home to
participate in a proposed referendum on the future of one-party
rule.

''exiled political parties cannot be allowed to return
and organise chaotic politics under the pretext of pluralism,''
said government spokesperson heatherwick ntaba.

ntaba, who is also health minister was reacting to calls
by a u.n. team of political experts last week that exiled
malawians be allowed to return for the plebiscite.

the five member u.n team, which toured the country over a
three week period in october to ascertain the public mood,
recommended several far reaching political reforms in a report
presented last week to the malawi government ahead of the
proposed referendum.

no date has yet been set for the poll announced by the aged
malawi dictator kamuzu banda, ruler of this small southern
african country since independence from britain in 1964.

a strong advocate of single party rule, banda has come
under increasing international pressure -- including a donor aid
freeze -- to change his authoritarian system of government.

internally the political atmosphere has become increasingly
tense, heightened by the death in prison of veteran opposition
politician orton chirwa last month.

reservations with the referendum have also focussed on
the voters role.

''we advised the malawi authorities that it would be futile
to hold a referendum without an updated voters' register. many
people have qualified since the last register was compiled years
ago'', a member of the u.n. team, paul lusaka told ips.

the present voters roll was last compiled about a decade ago
denying participation to a younger generation in affairs that
affect them, the u.n. report says.

it was presented to the malawian government on dec. 5, but
the authorities are yet to make its findings public.

however, ntaba seemed to concede to another of the u.n
recommendations that malawians should be accorded equal access
to the print and electronic media to put across their viewpoints
to the electorate. (more/ips)


malawi: government (2)

''yes, we shall give media access to all pressure groups
inside malawi but not exiled political parties'', she said

the u.n team also noted that all political prisoners should
be freed to participate in the referendum.

there are two internal political pressure groups, the
alliance for democracy (aford) headed by the trade unionist
chakufa chihana and the united democractic front (udf) headed by
john maluzi.

meanwhile, malawi political exiles meet in lusaka on dec. 13
to elect a new leadership for the zambia-based united front for
multi-party democracy (ufmd).

it follows merger talks with another exile group the united
front for democracy. the meeting will map out fresh strategies
in preperation for the announcement of the referendum date.

a malawian emigre here, thengo maluya told ips: ''the
government should start compiling a fresh voters roll and
registration campaign. if the voters roll is revised and
broadened, malawians will show their true colours''.
(end/ips/fc/oa/92)