PRESIDENT KENNETH KAUNDA OF ZAMBIA OPENED A THREE-DAY MEETING OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE PARTY (UNIP) ON FRIDAY, (21 MARCH) AT THE MATERO WELFARE HALL IN LUSAKA. IT IS THE FIRST NATIONAL COUNCIL SINCE THE ELECTIONS IN ZAMBIA.

FLAGS AND THE UNIP BANNER WERE ON DISPLAY TO GREET THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRESIDENT AND ZAMBIA POLICE TRUMPETERS BLEW A FANFARE. EARLIER, MR MAINZA CHONA, UNIP NATIONAL SECRETARY, ANNOUNCED THAT THE 500 DELEGATES, INCLUDING CABINET MEMBERS, PROVINCIAL MINISTERS OF STATE, GOVERNORS, TRADE UNION LEADERS AND UNIP REGIONAL OFFICERS WOULD CONSIDER PRESIDENT KAUNDA'S OPENING ADDRESS AMONG MANY OTHER SUBJECTS. DR KAUNDA HAS BEEN NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF UNIP SINCE 1960. THERE ARE 86 MEMBERS OF HIS PARTY IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NOW, WITH 23 AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS MEMBERS AND ONE INDEPENDENT, A EUROPEAN.

FOLLOWING PRESIDENT KAUNDA'S OPENING SPEECH, THE UNIP NATIONAL TREASURER, MR ELIJAH MUDENDA, GAVE HIS FINANCIAL REPORT AFTER LUNCH. LATER THE NATIONAL COUNCIL HELD A RECEPTION FOR THE GUINEAN BALLET TROUPE AT STATE HOUSE. THE OTHER TWO DAYS OF THE MEETING WILL BE DEVOTED TO FULL DEBATES AND DISCUSSIONS BY DELEGATES BEFORE THE PRESIDENT GIVES HIS CLOSING ADDRESS.