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| Malawi accuses Madonna of exaggerating humanitarian efforts | Malawi accuses Madonna of exaggerating humanitarian efforts |
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| Malawi has launched a scathing attack on Madonna, accusing her of exaggerating her contributions to the southern African country and demanding special treatment during her trip last week. | Malawi has launched a scathing attack on Madonna, accusing her of exaggerating her contributions to the southern African country and demanding special treatment during her trip last week. |
| The pop star denied the accusations. Her spokesman suggested the claims were prompted by the recent removal of the president's sister as head of Madonna's humanitarian organisation there. | The pop star denied the accusations. Her spokesman suggested the claims were prompted by the recent removal of the president's sister as head of Madonna's humanitarian organisation there. |
| The singer has a long history with the country, which she first visited in 2006. She adopted two Malawian children and runs several projects there. | The singer has a long history with the country, which she first visited in 2006. She adopted two Malawian children and runs several projects there. |
| She was granted VIP treatment during previous visits, including when she last jetted into the country on 1 April. But Madonna apparently was surprised when she learned upon leaving that she and her travelling party would have to queue with other passengers and be frisked by airport security. | She was granted VIP treatment during previous visits, including when she last jetted into the country on 1 April. But Madonna apparently was surprised when she learned upon leaving that she and her travelling party would have to queue with other passengers and be frisked by airport security. |
| "There was a directive that Miss Louise Ciccone, travelling on an American 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," said an aviation official who asked to remain anonymous because he is not authorised to speak to the media. | "There was a directive that Miss Louise Ciccone, travelling on an American 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," said an aviation official who asked to remain anonymous because he is not authorised to speak to the media. |
| A strongly worded statement by the president's office accused Madonna of trying to use her fame and money to force Malawi into giving her special treatment. "Granted, Madonna is a famed international musician. 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," the statement said. | |
| The statement also questioned the motives behind her humanitarian efforts in Malawi, alleging that the singer "wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude". | The statement also questioned the motives behind her humanitarian efforts in Malawi, alleging that the singer "wants Malawi to be forever chained to the obligation of gratitude". |
| "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," the statement said. | "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," the statement said. |
| President Joyce Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi, and questioned that statement in widely quoted remarks last week. "Where are the 10 schools she has built? 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. She can't be lying to the world at our expense," Banda said. | President Joyce Banda was reportedly angered by Madonna's claims that she has built 10 schools in Malawi, and questioned that statement in widely quoted remarks last week. "Where are the 10 schools she has built? 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. She can't be lying to the world at our expense," Banda said. |
| Madonna said he 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. | Madonna said he 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. |
| "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." | "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 spokesman for Madonna expressed surprise at the criticism and said the claim that the singer had requested special treatment was "nonsense". | A spokesman for Madonna expressed surprise at the criticism and said the claim that the singer had requested special treatment was "nonsense". |
| "Obviously these attacks are influenced by the fact that the president's sister was removed as the head of Madonna's organisation in Malawi due to concerns about mismanagement of $3.8m," said Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi. | "Obviously these attacks are influenced by the fact that the president's sister was removed as the head of Madonna's organisation in Malawi due to concerns about mismanagement of $3.8m," said Trevor Neilson, whose Global Philanthropy Group is managing Madonna's projects in Malawi. |
| "As the largest private philanthropist to Malawi we would think the government would be pleased that she is giving her time and money to one of the poorest countries in the world," Neilson added. | "As the largest private philanthropist to Malawi we would think the government would be pleased that she is giving her time and money to one of the poorest countries in the world," Neilson added. |
| The statement from the president's office dismissed the claim that Banda was angry because her younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was fired as the chief executive for Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi. | The statement from the president's office dismissed the claim that Banda was angry because her younger sister, Anjimile Mtila-Oponyo, was fired as the chief executive for Madonna's charity, Raising Malawi. |
| It said 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". | It said 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". |
| However, Madonna insisted her work in Malawi would continue. "My reasons for being here have never changed, I am here because I care deeply about the children of Malawi, that is my main priority," she said at the end of her trip last week. | |
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