Zambia dismisses Bush arrest call

Zambia has dismissed an international rights group’s call for the arrest on torture charges of former President George W. Bush, who has been touring Africa to raise cancer awareness.

As Mr Bush, his wife and daughters ended their visit to Zambia yesterday, state media quoted Foreign Affairs Minister Chishimba Kambwili as saying only the International Criminal Court could call for an international arrest.

Earlier in the week, Amnesty International said it had asked Tanzania, Zambia and Ethiopia to arrest Mr Bush, “someone who has admitted to authorising waterboarding”.

As president, Mr Bush authorised the interrogation technique that simulates drowning and is viewed as torture by many.

Mr Bush is warmly remembered across Africa for funding Aids treatment programmes.