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| President of Malawi in war of words over Madonna's 'bullying' | President of Malawi in war of words over Madonna's 'bullying' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| She has sold more records than any other woman, enthralled fans at the Super Bowl and starred on the big screen as Eva Perón. As a result, one word that Madonna is unaccustomed to hearing is "no". | She has sold more records than any other woman, enthralled fans at the Super Bowl and starred on the big screen as Eva Perón. As a result, one word that Madonna is unaccustomed to hearing is "no". |
| However, the queen of pop appears to have met her match in Joyce Banda, the president of Malawi, who has delivered a withering verdict on Madonna's activities in the country that makes reviews of her recent films look positively kind. | However, the queen of pop appears to have met her match in Joyce Banda, the president of Malawi, who has delivered a withering verdict on Madonna's activities in the country that makes reviews of her recent films look positively kind. |
| She is "a musician who desperately thinks she must generate recognition by bullying state officials instead of playing decent music on the stage", the president's office commented in an extraordinary statement. | She is "a musician who desperately thinks she must generate recognition by bullying state officials instead of playing decent music on the stage", the president's office commented in an extraordinary statement. |
| Madonna wanted the Malawian government to "roll out a red carpet and blast the 21-gun salute in her honour", "thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur" and needs to learn "the decency of telling the truth", the presidency said. | Madonna wanted the Malawian government to "roll out a red carpet and blast the 21-gun salute in her honour", "thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur" and needs to learn "the decency of telling the truth", the presidency said. |
| In one bizarre barb, Madonna's conduct in Malawi was unfavourably compared against that of Chuck Norris, the American actor, martial artist and champion of gun ownership. | In one bizarre barb, Madonna's conduct in Malawi was unfavourably compared against that of Chuck Norris, the American actor, martial artist and champion of gun ownership. |
| Such an evisceration from a head of state might be enough to crush many people. But not Madonna. She accused Banda of telling lies about her. The singer's spokeswoman suggested the claims were linked to the removal of the president's sister as head of Madonna's humanitarian organisation in Malawi. | Such an evisceration from a head of state might be enough to crush many people. But not Madonna. She accused Banda of telling lies about her. The singer's spokeswoman suggested the claims were linked to the removal of the president's sister as head of Madonna's humanitarian organisation in Malawi. |
| Whatever the cause, the war of words is a disaster for Madonna's complicated relationship with the southern African country, which she first visited in 2006, and renews questions about the wisdom of western celebrities on philanthropic missions to the developing world. Madonna adopted two Malawian children and runs several projects but was bitterly criticised after abandoning plans to build a $15m (£9.37m) elite academy for girls. | Whatever the cause, the war of words is a disaster for Madonna's complicated relationship with the southern African country, which she first visited in 2006, and renews questions about the wisdom of western celebrities on philanthropic missions to the developing world. Madonna adopted two Malawian children and runs several projects but was bitterly criticised after abandoning plans to build a $15m (£9.37m) elite academy for girls. |
| She has become accustomed to VIP status on previous trips, including when she arrived there last week, but when she came to leave the country she learned that she and her party would have to queue with other passengers and be frisked by airport security. | She has become accustomed to VIP status on previous trips, including when she arrived there last week, but when she came to leave the country she learned that she and her party would have to queue with other passengers and be frisked by airport security. |
| "There was a directive that Miss [Madonna] Louise Ciccone, travelling on a US passport, and her children Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon, Rocco Ritchie, Mercy James, David Banda Ciccone Ritchie should use the ordinary passenger terminal on their way to their jet," an aviation official, who did not wish to be named, told the Associated Press. | |
| Joyce Banda's office condemned Madonna for trying to use her celebrity to compel Malawi to give her special treatment. "Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician," the statement said. "But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary, not obligatory. | Joyce Banda's office condemned Madonna for trying to use her celebrity to compel Malawi to give her special treatment. "Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician," the statement said. "But that does not impose an injunction of obligation on any government under whose territory Madonna finds herself, including Malawi, to give her state treatment. Such treatment, even if she deserved it, is discretionary, not obligatory. |
| "Among the many things that Madonna needs to learn as a matter of urgency is the decency of telling the truth. | "Among the many things that Madonna needs to learn as a matter of urgency is the decency of telling the truth. |
| "For her to tell the whole world that she is building schools in Malawi when she has actually only contributed to the construction of classrooms is not compatible with manners of someone who thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur." | "For her to tell the whole world that she is building schools in Malawi when she has actually only contributed to the construction of classrooms is not compatible with manners of someone who thinks she deserves to be revered with state grandeur." |
| The statement added that Malawi has played host to other international stars including Chuck Norris, Bono, and footballers David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville "who have never demanded state attention or decorum despite their equally dazzling stature". | The statement added that Malawi has played host to other international stars including Chuck Norris, Bono, and footballers David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville "who have never demanded state attention or decorum despite their equally dazzling stature". |
| The presidency also questioned the motives behind Madonna's humanitarian efforts, alleging that she "wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude". | |
| It continued: "Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else. Blackmail is the closest it becomes." | It continued: "Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can't be free and silent, it is not kindness; it is something else. Blackmail is the closest it becomes." |
| Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi. "She is just building school blocks at already existing schools. In some cases she just renovated an already existing block. This is an insult to the people of Malawi." | Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi. "She is just building school blocks at already existing schools. In some cases she just renovated an already existing block. This is an insult to the people of Malawi." |
| Madonna said she was "saddened" that Banda "has chosen to release lies about what we've accomplished, my intentions, how I personally conducted myself while visiting Malawi and other untruths. I have no intentions of being distracted by these ridiculous allegations". | |
| She continued: "I came to Malawi seven years ago with honourable intentions. I returned earlier this month to view the new schools we built. I did not ever ask or demand special treatment at the airport or elsewhere during my visit. | |
| "I will not be distracted or discouraged by other people's political agendas. I made a promise to the children of Malawi and I am keeping that promise." | |
| A spokeswoman for Madonna expressed surprise at the criticism and said the claim that the singer had requested special treatment was "nonsense". She noted that Banda's younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was sacked as the chief executive for Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi. | A spokeswoman for Madonna expressed surprise at the criticism and said the claim that the singer had requested special treatment was "nonsense". She noted that Banda's younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was sacked as the chief executive for Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi. |
| "Due to major organisational problems that occurred during that time, the original team was disbanded," the spokeswoman said. "President Banda has since appointed her sister to a senior post within the ministry of education. | "Due to major organisational problems that occurred during that time, the original team was disbanded," the spokeswoman said. "President Banda has since appointed her sister to a senior post within the ministry of education. |
| "Madonna's decision to change course on her education projects has subsequently been met by deep resistance from Oponyo, the president and the ministry of education. But Madonna is not letting politics stand in the way of her deep commitment to help build schools there and educate as many children as possible." | "Madonna's decision to change course on her education projects has subsequently been met by deep resistance from Oponyo, the president and the ministry of education. But Madonna is not letting politics stand in the way of her deep commitment to help build schools there and educate as many children as possible." |
| Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi, also alleged that Banda "appears to be using her office to pursue the financial interests of her sister, Anjimile Oponyo." | Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi, also alleged that Banda "appears to be using her office to pursue the financial interests of her sister, Anjimile Oponyo." |
| He said Oponyo was in charge of the failed Madonna's school project "when $3.8m (£2.47m) was spent without ever breaking ground". | |
| Neilson said when Oponyo was removed from her position and the project was terminated, she issued "a series of wild demands and threats. Initially she demanded $450,000, then $380,000 and she is currently suing Raising Malawi". | |
| He alleged that when Oponyo was appointed by Banda as a principal secretary responsible for primary school education, she began to use that office to "pursue her grudge" against Raising Malawi. He alleged that Oponyo was "actively demanding money from Raising Malawi". | |
| Neilson added: "Madonna is the largest individual philanthropist in Malawi and we are a bit surprised that the president is using her office to pursue her sister's financial interests." | Neilson added: "Madonna is the largest individual philanthropist in Malawi and we are a bit surprised that the president is using her office to pursue her sister's financial interests." |
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