JK sees greater democracy in Tanzania
President Jakaya Kikwete has reiterated that the degree of freedom and toleration that has been availed to various areas of national life reflected the governments desire to build a society based on the principles of good governance. He said some citizens regarded the situation as inviting indiscipline.
"But this is a deliberate move aimed at consolidating freedom and bringing about greater toleration. Doubtlessly, we will get there, the president told the visiting Queen Margrete II during their talks at the State House in Dar es Salaam on monday. The Queen, who is accompanied by her husband, Prince Henrik, began her four-day state visit to Tanzania at the invitation of President Kikwete on monday.
Mr Kikwete told the queen that such measures are being taken regardless of the fact that Tanzania is still a young democracy. He thanked Denmark for its support in the undertaking as well as in other areas like the development of the infrastructure, poverty alleviation, HIV/AIDS campaign, debt writing-off and good governance.
President Kikwete extended special thanks to the Danish queen for the Danish support to the CRDB Bank. We thank Denmark and the Danish people for their assistance to CRDB Bank. It is now one of the best banks in the country due to your help, he told the queen. Mr Kikwete also thanked Denmark for helping create a better environment for Tanzanian business community through the Business Environment Strengthening for Tanzania (BEST) programme.
The president informed the queen that her visit was a culmination of history since while still a student at Kibaha Secondary School on January 10, 1970 he was among the students who had lined up to welcome Danish King Frederick IX, the queens father, when he arrived to open the Nordic-funded Kibaha Education Centre.
He said it is a memorable event for him to welcome the queen today, adding that the cycle of history has been completed. Meanwhile, a 21-gun salute boomed across Dar es Salaam at the official welcoming ceremony for the Royal Couple at the Karimjee Hall Grounds in the city. The ceremony was attended by various national leaders including the Vice-President, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Mr Bernard Membe, and regional leaders led by Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Mr Abbas Kandoro.
Queen Margrethe II and Prince Consort Henrik are staying in the country for eight days, which include both official and private visits.Today, the Queen is going to visit Solomon Mahlangu Primary School in Morogoro, where children between 10 to 14 years will perform Children as Storytellers. In their stay in the country, the Royal couple will also visit Zanzibar and Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Arusha. They will also tour Oloirobi village.
Source: Daily News of Nov 4, 2008