NEWS Today

Indonesia Pilot Pet Muammar Gaddafi (president of Libya)

Ganahadi, 14 years of VVIP Pilot in the Middle East

Ganahadi Ratnuatmadja Indonesia became one of the pilots who had a rare experience. During the 14-year career in the Middle East, he had been four times to move into the presidential plane pilots in four different countries. But, the most memorable for him was to be a pilot favorite Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

STATE of Arab oil producers have long been the target of professional pilots. Besides tempted by jingling petrodollars, the region's growing number of world-class airlines. Encouragement that's what makes Ganahadi, a former pilot of Garuda Indonesia, decided to move to countries in the Gulf region since 14 years ago.

According Ganahadi, from technical aspects, the quality of Indonesian pilots are actually able to compete with European and American pilots. The only drawback is the problem of language (language barrier). "This is more due to our flight (Indonesia origin) is less communicate in foreign countries," said the aviator who never attended school in Sotramat Flying School, Belgium, 1973-1974 it.

In fact, if successful through the airline's in there, they promised a variety of facilities and salaries are relatively higher than airlines in the country. "They also get to enjoy the experience of working on world-class airline that continues to grow," he said.

Ganahadi admit, career development as a pilot in the Middle East very open. Pilots qualified to fly the aircraft can compete VIP or VVIP even a kind of private plane or the presidency.

Men's bloody Sundanese started his career as captain of his foreign pilot the Airbus 300's kingdom of Kuwait. Only four years there, moved to the aircraft Ganahadi Kingdom United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 1997-2003. With a good reputation UAE for six years, he then served on board the Kingdom of Qatar (2003-2004).

"I work here (Middle East) after passing through the requirements and selection of the very tight and high grade," said Ganahadi by electronic mail to the Java Post yesterday. Gahanadi currently residing in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Ganahadi claim to being the only pilot from Indonesia even one - only urang Sundanese VVIP flying, especially the royal and presidential aircraft. The majority of his colleagues devoted themselves more on commercial airlines.

At present, he added, there are seven pilots citizen who worked in Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAA), between four to six at Qatar Airways, as well as a longer flying the plane belongs to the Emirates.

Being a pilot is able to penetrate the selection of a pilot royal or presidential (VIP) is not easy. The selection process through the assessment for a week. Next, test the ability of flight simulators and about two weeks. "I do not know where they saw my qualities. Anyway, I do all my best," explained the pilot who began his career as co-pilot, Fokker 27 and Fokker 28 in 1974-1975 that.

From about 14 years experience in the Middle East, Ganahadi stated that the experience of being a pilot presidential plane Muammar Gaddafi (Libya) is the most memorable. The task was undertaken Ganahadi since 2004 and only ended some time ago.

Ganahadi feel very honored because they never imagined could blow away the number one in the Libyan. In fact, until now did he not know why the pilot is believed to be the charismatic leader in the Arab world.
"Because, during this unprecedented presidential pilot (Libya) from strangers," said the man was born in 1954.

In the eyes Ganahadi, Gaddafi is a figure that is very difficult to trust strangers to fly a plane. He entered at the historic Libya. Because, his early work in 2004, Gaddafi became a byword internationally after its soft stance successfully thaw diplomatic relations between Tripoli-Washington (USA).

During Gaddafi flew, Ganahadi feel he's not a hard and rigid figure. "He (Gaddafi, red) is a warm personal friendship," he said.
Ganahadi also feel the looseness of the rules of protocol during interaction with Gaddafi. The majority of Gaddafi's bodyguard to tolerate the proximity of his boss with the pilot. "Almost every flight, he came to me in the cockpit. He sometimes came quietly without escort," he said.

In addition, Gaddafi asked jokingly Granahadi so often feel comfortable in flight. Gaddafi also occasionally ask avocation Ganahadi if the coincidence is not lifted up.

"He likes chatting with crew members and high officials that I have been a Libyan people. He also never asked me to move citizenship and settled in Tripoli until retirement," he said. I was so close, one of the shareholders of the football club Juventus, Italy, it's even been served a cup of coffee for Ganahadi. Another impression is the amount of attention to family circumstances Granahadi Khadafi in the homeland.

"I was really touched when he sent a special ambassador to Libya (in Indonesia) to represent him while attending my daughter's wedding reception in Bandung," said Ganahadi.

With plenty of experience flying the state-owned Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, and Libya, that, Ganahadi become familiar with many officials in the Middle East. The key to keeping the network was simple. "I always maintain my professional image as an aviator," he said.

By keeping that image, Ganahadi can freely choose to work on the presidential plane or any kingdom. When leaving a job as an airline pilot Kingdom of the UAE in 2003, Ganahadi had promised to the UAE president, Sheikh Zayed at that time (late), and the crown prince, Sheikh Mohammed, that one time he will again be a pilot.

"At that time, I'm two or three years if allowed to work again in Abu Dhabi. This is when I was tired of working in Libya," explains Ganahadi.
Ganahadi had kept his promise. After saying good-bye well with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Ganahadi allowed back to work in the UAE royal plane until now.

When asked for permission to Gaddafi, Ganahadi also made similar statements that one day he will return again to work in Tripoli if Gaddafi is pleased to employ. Farewell to the Gaddafi was overwhelmed with emotion.

"Right now I do not know the next plan, whether to live and work in Abu Dhabi or wait for the call again. I just handed the fate to God," said Ganahadi.

Over the past dozen years working in the Middle East, claiming Ganahadi rarely met with the family. All the people closest to live in his homeland, Cimahi, West Java. He is grateful to his family supported his profession as a VVIP flight. "I did not have a load during work," he said.

Any period of leave comes, Ganahadi make the best use for the homecoming, remove miss being in the middle of the family. When on duty, he took time to communicate via telephone or the internet. "When the holidays arrive, we were occasionally invited them to walk to a number of countries here," he said.

In fact, during his stay in Libya, the entire immediate family to feel how comfortable life in the desert country. Ganahadi targeting his career would end before the time of retirement in the UAE at the age of 65 years. "Before that age, I probably will stop and return to the homeland," said Ganahadi

Khadafi Towards Doom

"When we catch him and surrounded him, he (Khadafi) like an idiot."

VIVANews - Former ruler of Libya, Muammar Khadafi , kept his promise to die in their own country. He died from a gunshot wound to the head, after being captured soldiers of the National Transitional Council (NTC) in an aqueduct, about two miles from his hometown of Sirte.

"Do not shoot, do not shoot," said NTC Khadafi to a number of soldiers who dragged him from the culvert, as reported by the Telegraph.

When caught, Khadafi was covered in blood. Injured while avoiding attack NATO troops and the NTC, a few minutes earlier.

"When we catch him and surrounded him, he's like an idiot. He said, 'What happened, what have I done?' No one believed his words, "said Mohammad Elhweje, the army also arrested 20-year-Khadafi along with nine other soldiers.

Some photos and video footage showing outstanding Khadafi paraded through the streets after being dragged from the culvert. With her head covered in blood with a fashion almost entirely date, Khadafi became the butt of a soldier who seemed satisfied with his victory. Someone put a gun. Someone grabbed her hair. Khadafi fell several times, rubbing his face covered in blood.

Based on amateur video footage, news service Sky News Khadafi to catch the words of the soldiers who began to torment him. "What you do is not permitted by Islamic law. All you do is prohibited in Islam. Do you know the difference between right and wrong?"

It is unclear how Khadafi finally breathed her last. Some call was shot in the stomach with a 9mm pistol. Some call Khadafi was shot in the head and heart. There is also a mention was shot in an attack while the procession takes place.

Implementing Libyan Prime Minister, Mahmoud Jibril, said that Khadafi was shot in the head during a shootout between soldiers and loyalists Khadafi NTC.

"Khadafi was found in a culvert. He did not show resistance. At that time, he had been injured in the right arm and we took the truck. On the way there was a shootout between army troops we were with Khadafi loyalists," he said.

VIVANews

Italy credit rating slashed by Moody's from Aa2 to A2

The Italian government's credit rating has been slashed by Moody's from Aa2 to A2 with a negative outlook.

The ratings agency blamed a "material increase in long-term funding risks for the euro area", due to lost confidence in eurozone government debts.

Despite Rome's low current borrowing needs, and low private-sector debt levels in Italy, Moody's said market sentiment had turned against the euro.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the decision was expected.

"The Italian government is working with the maximum commitment to achieve its budget objectives," said Mr Berlusconi.

He said that a plan to balance the government's budget by 2013 had been approved by the European Commission.

Sell-off

The initial market reaction to the downgrade was muted.

The news broke half an hour after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

But after-hours trading in stock market futures suggested that at least one percentage point of a late 4% market rally may have been wiped off.

Asian trading was mixed, with stocks initially surging after a report in the Financial Times that EU finance ministers were considering a plan to recapitalise European banks.

In Japan, stocks on the Nikkei index lost early gains to close down 0.86%. South Korea's main market lost 2.33%. Australian shares ended 1.40% higher.

Stock markets in Hong Kong and mainland China were closed for a holiday.

Oil prices were trading higher in Asia on hopes that efforts by European authorities to contain the eurozone crisis would prevent the world economy from slowing.

Brent crude for November delivery bounced back above $100 a barrel, rising $1.83 to $101.62.
Slow response

Analysts say Italy's downgrade is likely to be followed by similar cuts in the credit rating of Italy's banks, which would put severe pressure on their ability to borrow.

"This downgrade will make it even harder for Italy to borrow," says BBC business editor Robert Peston. "However, that is not the worst of it.

"If Italy is looking like a more risky place to lend, its banks... will find it harder and more expensive to borrow. The [eurozone] banking crisis will be exacerbated."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15176947

FBI arrests suspect over "Sony" cyberattack

LOS ANGELES — The FBI on Thursday arrested a member of the LulzSec hacking group suspected over a massive cyberattack earlier this year on Japanese electronics giant Sony, officials said.

FBI agents arrested the suspect, named as Cody Kretsinger, 23, of Phoenix, Arizona, “without incident,” said U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles Andre Birotte and Steven Martinez, head of the FBI’s Los Angeles office.

Kretsinger was due in court in Phoenix, Arizona during the day, when authorities will request that he be transferred to Los Angeles to face prosecution, they said in a joint statement.

He has been charged with conspiracy and the unauthorized impairment of a protected computer, and could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted, they said.

Sony’s PlayStation Network, Qriocity music streaming service and Sony Online Entertainment were targeted by hackers beginning in April in cyberattacks that resulted in one of the biggest data breaches since the advent of the Internet.

Over 100 million accounts were affected and Sony said it could not rule out that millions of credit card numbers may have been compromised. It has since restored its online services.

The cyberattacks threatened to cause deep damage to Sony’s brand image and the company’s efforts to link its gadgets to an online network of games, movies and music.

© 2011 AFP

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/fbi-arrests-suspect-over-sony-cyberattack

U.S. "Walks Out" as Iran Delivers Anti-U.S. Speech at U.N.

Sep. 23, 2011

UNITED NATIONS — American diplomats led a walkout at the U.N. General Assembly Thursday as Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad fiercely attacked the United States and major West European nations as “arrogant powers” ruled by greed and eager for military adventurism.

The two U.S. diplomats, who specialize in the Middle East, were followed out of the chamber by diplomats from more than 30 countries. They included the 27 European Union members, Australia, New Zealand, Somalia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and Macedonia, a U.N. diplomat said. Israel boycotted the speech.

Ahmadenijad’s fiery anti-U.S. and anti-Israeli rhetoric has been a staple of the General Assembly’s ministerial meetings.

Last year, Ahmadinejad provoked a walkout by the U.S., EU, and others when he said a majority of people in the United States and around the world believe the American government staged the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks in an attempt to assure Israel’s survival.

The provocative comments prompted the U.S. delegation to walk out of Ahmadinejad’s U.N. speech, where he also blamed the U.S. as the power behind U.N. Security Council sanctions against Iran for its refusal to halt uranium enrichment, a technology that can be used as fuel for electricity generation or to build nuclear weapons.

Ahmadinejad’s speech pitted the poverty and unhappiness of most countries against the riches and power of the U.S. and unnamed European nations that he accused of perpetuating wars, causing the current global economic crisis and infringing on “the rights and sovereignty of nations.”

He attacked the United States and European colonial powers for abducting tens of millions of Africans and making them slaves, for their readiness “to drop thousands of bombs on other countries,” and for dominating the U.N. Security Council He singled out the U.S. for using a nuclear bomb against Japan in World War II and imposing and supporting military dictatorships and totalitarian regimes in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

“It is as lucid as daylight that the same slave masters and colonial powers that once instigated the two world wars have caused widespread misery and disorder with far-reaching effects across the globe since then,” Ahmadinejad said. “Do these arrogant powers really have the competence and ability to run or govern the world?”

The Iranian president answered by calling for “the shared and collective management of the world in order to put an end to the present disorders, tyranny and discriminations worldwide.” Last year, he said “the future belongs to Iran” and challenged the U.S. to accept that his country has a major role in the world.

Ahmadinejad made no mention of his disputed re-election in June 2009 when security forces systematically crushed opposition protests, the current internal political turmoil that has sharply diminished his power, or Iran’s nuclear program which the U.S. and its allies believe is aimed at producing nuclear weapons.

“While President Ahmadinejad is lecturing the world from the U.N. podium,” Human Rights Watch’s U.N. Director Philippe Bolopion said, “dissent is still being crushed ruthlessly in Iran and basic rights demanded by millions in the Arab world are brutally denied to Iranians who are demanding the same.”

“The world assembly should take with a grain of salt the remarks of a leader who said nothing about the public hanging yesterday of a 17-year-old in his own country,” he said.

In his speech, Ahmadinejad noted “the widespread awakening in Islamic lands ... (in) the pursuit of the realization of justice, freedom and the creation of a better tomorrow.” He said “our great nationa stands ready to join hands with other nations to march on this beautiful path.”

The Iranian leader accused the U.S. of threatening to place sanctions on anyone who questions the Holocaust and the Sept 11 attacks with sanctions and military action.

Without naming the United States, he asked: “Who imposed, through deceits and hypocrisy, the Zionism and over 60 years of war, homelessness, terror and mass murder on the Palestinian people and on countries in the region?”

Ahmadinejad accused some unidentified European countries of still using the Holocaust “as the excuse to pay fine or ransom to the Zionists.” He also said any question about the foundation of Zionism is condemned by the U.S. “as an unforgivable sin.”

Mark Kornblau, spokesman for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, said: “Mr. Ahmadinejad had a chance to address his own people’s aspirations for freedom and dignity, but instead he again turned to abhorrent anti-Semitic slurs and despicable conspiracy theories.”

When the idea of an independent fact-finding investigation of “the hidden elements” involved in the Sept 11 attacks was raised last year, he said, “my country and myself came under pressure and threat by the government of the United States.”

“Instead of assigning a fact-finding team, they killed the main perpetrator and threw his body into the sea,” Ahmadinejad said, referring to the U.S. military’s killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden in early May.

“Would it not have been reasonable to bring to justice and openly to trial the main perpetrator of the incident in order to identify the elements behind the safe space provided for the invading aircraft to attack the twin world trade towers?” he asked.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/u-s-walks-out-as-iran-delivers-anti-u-s-speech-at-u-n

"Hidayat" knocked out of Japan Open badminton

TOKYO — Downcast Athens Olympic gold medallist Taufik Hidayat became the first major casualty at the Japan Open when he crashed to Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan on Wednesday in the opening round.

The out-of-form fifth seed from Indonesia, who has yet to win a title this season, struggled throughout the 53-minute match before losing 21-17, 12-21, 21-18.

“I couldn’t play well at all. I couldn’t find the way to attack. I’ve lost my confidence,” said Hidayat, 30.

“I enjoyed playing badminton in the old days. I want to regain my form, but I’m not sure how long I continue to play.”

There was no such trouble for defending champion and world number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, who eased past Rajiv Ouseph of England 21-13, 21-13.

“I feel good. This is my first match of the tournament so I tried to play in my rhythm and check the court conditions,” said the top seed, who needed only 25 minutes to beat Ouseph.

In the women’s singles, seventh seed Cheng Shao-chieh of Taiwan became the first seed to fall when she abandoned the match to Japan’s Sayaka Sato with a foot injury at 15-21, 4-11 down.

But other seeds—2007 champion Tine Baun of Denmark, China’s Wang Xin and Liu Xin, Indian star Saina Nehwal and Juliane Schenk of Germany—safely went through.

Fifth seed Baun came back from a game down to beat Hong Kong’s Tse Ying-suet 19-21, 21-7, 21-17, while third seed Wang Xin overwhelmed Bae Youn-Joo of South Korea 21-8, 21-9.

Sixth seed Liu Xin whipped Yip Pui-yin of Hong Kong 21-15, 21-17, Nehwal defeated Inthanon Ratchanok of Thailand 21-17, 21-10 and Schenk downed Japan’s Ai Goto 21-10, 21-8.

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=4332442169805637449

Asian markets slump for "second" day

HONG KONG — Asian markets fell for a second straight day Friday and the dollar rose amid growing fears that the global economy is on the verge of slipping back into recession.

However, most markets were off their earlier lows after G20 finance chiefs meeting in Washington promised to take collective action to stabilise the financial system.

Seoul slumped 5.73%, or 103.11 points, to 1,697.44, while Hong Kong gave up 1.32%, or 236.70 points, to end at 17,675.25.

Sydney closed 1.56%, or 61.7 points, lower at 3,903.2. However, the market was off its earlier lows and at one point even edged into positive territory.

Taiwan fell 3.55%, or 259.28 points, to 7.046.22 while Shanghai lost 0.41%, or 9.90 points, to finish at 2,433.16.

Bangkok, which at one point dived five percent, was 4.33% lower in the afternoon. Mumbai was almost two percent lower in morning trade.

Tokyo was closed for a public holiday.

The Asian sell-off followed heavy losses in the United States and Europe, which were caused by the Federal Reserve’s comments on Wednesday that the US economy faced “significant downside risks”, with the economy struggling with slow growth, high unemployment and a depressed housing market.

The warning came after the Fed announced a $400 billion plan to boost the economy that would see it shift its shorter-term debt portfolio to longer-term bonds in a bid to lower long-term interest rates, a move that disappointed markets.

On Wall Street, the Dow slumped 3.51%—marking its worst two-day fall since November 2008—the S&P 500 sank 3.19% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite shed 3.25%.

The Fed’s forecast piled the pressure on already nervous investors, who were selling assets earlier in the week amid fears Greece is on the verge of default, which could spread to other economies and lead to another global financial crisis.

“The selloff in risk assets threatens to become disorderly,” Tim Condon, economist at ING, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The dollar extended its rise against regional currencies as dealers shifted their attention away from riskier assets.

The Australian dollar was at $1.0024 from $1.0017 late Thursday after falling to as low as 98.02 U.S. cents. The Aussie hit a record high above $1.10 just two months ago.

The euro edged up to $1.3524, from $1.3464 late Thursday in New York, while it was also at 103.13 yen, from 102.64.

The dollar fetched 76.27 yen, from 76.25 yen.

On oil markets New York’s main contract, West Texas Intermediate light sweet crude for November delivery, was up 89 cents to $81.40 in afternoon trade, bouncing back from a massive 6.3 percent, or more than five-dollar, fall in the US session Thursday.

Brent North Sea crude for November settlement was up $1.42 to $106.91, but the gains were narrower. The contract plunged $4.87 overnight.

In other markets, Manila slumped 5.13%, or 210.14 points, to end at 3,885.96.

The fall—the worst in a single day since October 2008, at the beginning of the financial crisis—sent the index to a seven-month low as foreign investors pulled out.

“Fund managers are liquidating their positions because of global economic concerns,” said April Lee-Tan, research head at CitisecOnline.com.

“It’s sentiment-driven… panic-selling.”

Wellington closed 0.89%, or 25.58 points, lower at 3,282.71.

© 2011 AFP

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/asian-markets-slump-for-second-day

Barack Obama 'will veto' Palestinian UN bid

Barack Obama 'will veto' Palestinian UN bid

Barack Obama has told Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas he will veto his bid for UN membership, as he tried to persuade him to drop the plans.

But Mahmoud Abbas vowed to press ahead during a meeting with the US president, the White House said afterwards.

Mr Obama had told the UN General Assembly a Palestinian state could only be achieved through talks with Israel.

But French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned a veto could spark another cycle of violence in the region.

Diplomatic efforts for Palestinian UN membership have intensified, with Mr Abbas preparing to submit a written application to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in New York on Friday.

Meanwhile, thousands of people have rallied in the West Bank in support of the move.

If Mr Ban approves the request, the Security Council would examine and vote on it. In order to pass, it would need the backing of nine out of 15 council members, with no vetoes from the permanent members.
'Badge of honour'

However, Mr Obama had indicated the US would use its veto, leaving Western diplomats trying to find ways to put off the voting process to buy more time.

And the US president made his position clear to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mr Abbas during meetings late on Wednesday.

"We would have to oppose any action at the UN Security Council including, if necessary, vetoing," White House national security council spokesman Ben Rhodes said after Mr Obama met Mr Abbas, Reuters news agency reported.

Mr Netanyahu told reporters Mr Obama deserved a "badge of honour" for his defence of Israel.

However, senior Palestinian negotiator Nabil Shaath argued that Palestinian UN membership was "morally, legally and politically acceptable in every way".

French President Sarkozy urged a compromise, suggesting the General Assembly give the Palestinians enhanced status as a non-member state to allow a clear timeline for talks - a month to start negotiations, six months to deal with borders and security and a year to finalise a "definitive agreement".

A vote on enhanced status - enjoyed by others such as the Vatican - would not require a Security Council recommendation but a simple majority in the General Assembly, where no veto is possible.
Failed talks

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said any UN vote on the issue was in any case "several weeks" away.

Mr Obama had earlier told the General Assembly: "Peace will not come through statements and resolutions at the UN.

"There is no short cut to the end of a conflict that has endured for decades.

"Ultimately, it is Israelis and Palestinians - not us - who must reach agreement on the issues that divide them: on borders and security; on refugees and Jerusalem."

Palestinians say their bid for statehood has been inspired by the Arab Spring, and is the result of years of failed peace talks.

In the West Bank on Wednesday, schools and government offices were shut to allow for demonstrations backing the UN membership bid in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus and Hebron.

While UN recognition would have largely symbolic value, the Palestinians argue it would strengthen their hand in peace talks.

"The end of the Israeli occupation and a Palestinian state are the only path to peace," AFP quoted Mr Abbas' spokesman as saying after Mr Obama's speech.
Mediation attempt

"We will agree to return to the negotiations the minute that Israel agrees to end the settlements and the lines of 1967," added the spokesman, Nabil Abu Rudeina.

In his meeting with Mr Obama, Mr Netanyahu said direct negotiation was the only way to achieve a stable Middle East peace. The last round of talks broke down a year ago.

The "quartet" of US, European, Russian and UN mediators aims to give the two sides a year to reach a framework agreement, based on Mr Obama's vision of borders fashioned from Israel's pre-1967 boundary, with agreed land swaps.

Efforts are now reportedly under way to provide a basis for resumed peace negotiations, but work by mediators has yet to produce guidelines for the resumption of talks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15014037

China's stake in Zambia's election

China's stake in Zambia's election
By Louise Redvers

BBC News, Lusaka - If you want proof that China has arrived in Africa, look no further than Zambia, which this week is gearing up for parliamentary and presidential elections.

Its capital Lusaka has recently become the first African city to offer Chinese currency banking services.

The city's Bank of China branch now handles counter deposits and withdrawals in yuan.

It is expected longer term that Chinese businesses operating in Zambia will start using the currency amongst themselves to avoid commission rates when changing from the Zambian kwacha via the US Dollar.

Qi Wang, the bank's assistant general manager, explained the service in yuan (also known as renminbi) was aimed at Chinese investors working in Zambia, but also Zambians importing goods from China.

"As a bank, we make money through transactions where you change currencies, but we think it is in the best interests of our clients and trade that we remove this additional layer and currency and make it more convenient for our clients," he said.

Although China's relationship with Zambia dates back to the building of the Zambia to Tanzania Railway in the 1970s, it is in the last 10 years that Sino-Zambian trade has really taken off, growing from just $100m ($63m) in 2000 to $2.8bn last year.
Chinese election lollipops?

But in the run-up to Tuesday's polls there are questions being asked about just how far China's influence in Zambia spreads, and if Chinese money is bankrolling the incumbent presidential candidate Rupiah Banda and his party the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD).

Beyond the claims that the Banda-branded lollipops being given out to potential voters by the MMD were made in China, the sheer scale of the ruling party's campaign has raised many eyebrows about funding sources.

Neo Simuntanyi, director of the left-leaning Lusaka-based think tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told the BBC that Zambian party financing was totally opaque and it was hard to really know where money was coming from.

"Although there's no way to prove it, there are a lot of suspicions that the MMD is maybe benefiting from Chinese support just because of the sheer scale of their campaign," he said.

"The MMD has never had that kind of money before and you can see that in how well-oiled their campaign machine has been and how big their presence is everywhere around the country."

Muhabi Lungu, an MMD parliamentary candidate and former head of Zambia's overseas investment organ, Zambia Development Agency, (ZDA), played down claims that his party had received Chinese funding.

"I don't believe that to be true," he said. "We have raised our money from donations from Zambians and people in business, both of whom are happy with our performance in government and want that to continue.

"I think these allegations come from an opposition which has had no campaign presence to speak about and which is really feeling the size of the MMD campaign."
Chicken farms

Mr Simuntanyi suggested that it was in the interest of Chinese companies to keep the MMD in power, in order to maintain the favourable - or as some would say preferential - investment climate they have enjoyed in Zambia in recent years.

China's main area of interest is mining, having bought up on the cheap a number of copper, cobalt and nickel mines, which had been moth balled by Western investors when commodity prices fell.

Beyond mining and manufacturing, there is also growing Chinese presence within Zambia's retail sector, from imported textiles and electronics, to chickens farmed locally and sold in city markets.

The country is also home to two of China's six African Special Economic Zones (SEZs) one in Chambishi near Kitwe in the Copperbelt, and the other just outside Lusaka.

These are designated geographic areas with liberal policies and tax incentives to attract foreign companies.

Although there have been repeated allegations - and in some cases hard evidence - of poor labour conditions and low salaries in Chinese-run mines and factories, the Zambian government remains happy with its new friend because the investment has driven economic growth to almost unprecedented levels.
Tight race

The MMD's main opposition, Michael Sata's Patriotic Front (PF), has in the past been very critical about Chinese labour conditions, and although the party has disputed media reports it is anti-Chinese, if elected, it would likely shake up the way contracts are awarded.

And Given Lubinda, a PF parliamentary candidate, said the size of the ruling party's campaign had been surprising.

"All of sudden they seem to have so much money - whether or not it's coming from the Chinese, we don't know, but for all that and the advantages they have had through the state-owned television and newspapers, we at the PF have the people," he said.

"Everywhere we go, the response has been incredible and the overwhelming mood from people on the street is that Zambians want change and that will come with the PF, not from the MMD."

The election will be Zambia's fifth since the advent of multi-party democracy in 1991 when Kenneth Kuanda's United National Independence Party was ousted by the MMD.

It is likely to be a very close call between the MMD and the PF, Banda having only beaten his rival Michael Sata by 35,000 votes in the 2008 by-election, called following the mid-term death of Levy Mwanawasa.

With its promises of jobs and better education, the PF is hoping to win over young voters and the urban poor.

The MMD meanwhile is campaigning on the back of its infrastructure investment - new schools, roads and hospitals - agriculture input programmes, which have led to bumper harvest, and the mine-driven economic growth which has averaged 5.6% since 2001, according to the World Bank.

With the two main presidential candidates in their mid 70s, it is expected it will be their last election, which makes the stakes even higher.

Although the country has little history of political violence - apart from street riots in the final months of independence leader Kenneth Kaunda's rule, when the economy had collapsed - there are some concerns that the closeness of the race this year could raise tensions.

While China and its role in the country has been less of an issue during this campaign compared with previous years, the Chinese investors are likely to watch very closely who emerges victorious when the results are announced on Friday.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14952240