PRESIDENT MWANAWASA WAVES AT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ESCORTED HIM TO THE AIRPORT BEFORE HE LEFT FOR EGYPT ON JUNE 29.
DR MWANAWASA WENT TO EGYPT TO ATTEND THE AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT.
BEFORE LEAVING FOR EGYPT, DR MWANAWASA OFFICIATED AT A REGIONAL CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC BISHOPS AT THE CATHEDRAL OF THE CHILD JESUS AND PROCEEDED TO THE AIRPORT FROM THAT VENUE.
WHILST THERE, THE PRESIDENT SUFFERED A STROKE AND WAS TAKEN TO FRANCES' PERCY MILITARY HOSPITAL WHERE HE WAS ADMITTED UNTIL HIS DEATH TODAY.
I STILL HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF DR MWANAWASA AT THE AIRPORT WHEN HE ADDRESSED US DURING A PRESS BRIEFING.
HE LOOKED COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED. SOME PRESIDENTIAL AIDES WANTED TO BLOCK US FROM INTERVIEWING THE PRESIDENT BUT I WAS AMUSED WHEN DR MWANAWASA RECOGNISED OUR PRESENCE IN THE VIP LOUNGE, WHERE WE 'GATE CRUSHED' AND ANSWERED OUR QUESTIONS.
LATER WE ESCORTED HIM TO THE PRESIDENTIAL CHALLENGER PLANE, HE WAVED AT US AND LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT IT WAS THE LAST TIME WE WERE TO SEE THE PRESIDENT AGAIN.
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