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{
    "id": 66913,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/66913/?format=api",
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    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I agree with those who have said, we must not make this a personal issue, because you have been refused a visa or the Ambassador said something not very nice about some politicians. After all, why were we not complaining when certain Ministers who are associated with corruption or ethnic cleansing were refused visas? Was that a good move on the part of the Ambassador? As a matter of fact, I like diplomatic missions also to play a role in keeping some of us politicians under check, because sometimes we, especially in this continent, steal money from our countries and go and enjoy it out there. So it is important that there are those who have the courage to say: “If you have stolen property from your own citizens or if you are used to dividing your own people and cause untold damage, you have a responsibility---” If we cannot control them it is up to them to say: “You have no business being in our country”. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is also the issue of freedom of expression. I think just because you are an Ambassador it does not mean you should go by the traditional ethic of hypocrisy in diplomacy, where you never dare say what is in your mind. I think they have a responsibility, being our friends, to also contribute to debate regarding what is happening in our country, just as they contribute to supporting development projects in this country. So, they do not talk as people who have no vested interests. By virtue of their investments in this country and the support that they give us, and given that they are interested very much, as many of us are, in what happens in this country for the good of the people of this country, they have a responsibility to make their positions clear about what they think about us. We should also ask: “Are there other good things that this Ambassador and others have done?” Firstly, I would like to go back to what Mr. Wamalwa said. When we were in a lot of trouble; when we were butchering each other, what is it that the American Ambassador and the other Ambassadors did in terms of bringing this country together? As a matter of fact, maybe we would not be having a Parliament like the one we are having today debating his character, if the Accord was not signed. So they came in and made it possible, not only by using their time but also in terms of providing resources, for people like Dr. Annan and others to be part of the solution of our problem. The USA is one of the biggest contributors to development aid in this country and we cannot take them casually. Instead of coming out condemning those who are"
}