US to give hungry Zambia food despite GM spat

Reuters
ZAMBIA: December 9, 2002
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/18938/story.htm

LUSAKA - The United States, while condemning Zambia's rejection of
genetically-modified food to save its people from starvation, was
reported last week to have promised the country 30,000 tonnes of
unmodified grain.

"I am pleased to announce that the United States has secured 15,000
tonnes of sorghum and 15,000 tonnes of wheat to help Zambia in this time
of need," the government-owned Zambia Daily Mail quoted U.S. ambassador
in Lusaka Martin Brennan as saying.

Despite having up to three million people at risk of starvation in the
region's worst food crisis in years, Zambia has refused previous gifts of
genetically-modified (GM) U.S. maize, citing health concerns.

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations food agencies Tony Hall chiefly
targeted Zambia on Thursday when he said leaders refusing food aid
should be put on trial.

"People that deny food to their people, that are in fact starving people
to death, should be held responsible...for the highest crimes against
humanity in the highest courts in the world," Hall said in Brussels.

But on the same day Brennan, the new U.S. envoy to Zambia, told the
country's President Levy Mwanawasa the United States would send 30,000
tonnes of genetically unmodified grain, the Zambia Daily Mail said.

The newspaper also said Italy had given Zambia white maize worth one
million euros.

With a deficit of 630,000 tonnes of food, Zambia turned its nose up in
August at GM maize sent by the United States.

ZAMBIAN SCIENTISTS' REPORT

The U.S. decision on food aid came as Zambian scientists released a
report saying GM food was dangerous.

The report, seen by Reuters, said GM foods could cause resistance to
antibiotics and compromise the immunity of persons in poor health.

"The team (of scientists) confirms that health-related concerns in the
consumption of GM foods could be harmful in the following areas: new food
toxins, new allergens and antibiotic resistance," the report said.

Team leader Mwananyanda Mbikusita-Lewanika said people suffering from
various illnesses could develop resistance to antibiotics if they ate GM
foods.

Zambia is one of six southern African countries facing food shortages
analysts blame on drought, mismanagement and HIV/AIDS.

Aid workers estimate 14 million people are threatened with starvation,
up to three million of them in Zambia.