U.S. recalls its ambassador to Zambia after gay rights row: sources

[RobertDevereaux]

2. More from the article...

In his statement Mr Foote acknowledged that he had no right to interfere in Zambian policy-making but wrote: "I thought, perhaps incorrectly, that Christianity meant trying to live like our Lord, Jesus Christ.

"I am not qualified to sermonise, but I cannot imagine Jesus would have used bestiality comparisons or referred to his fellow human beings as 'dogs', or 'worse than animals'; allusions made repeatedly by your countrymen and women about homosexuals.

"Targeting and marginalising minorities, especially homosexuals, has been a warning signal of future atrocities by governments in many countries. In my heart, I know that real Zambian values don't merit your country's inclusion on that list, ever."