The government of the United States of America has shown willingness to provide the necessary support needed to hold a successful referendum on the draft constitution.

Charge De affairs at the US Embassy David Young said his country was ready to assist if the request is made by the Zambian government.

“We have not had that question framed to us, but it is a possibility. We can look at that to support that process with the other donors,” he said.

Mr. Young said his country would remain committed to supporting avenues and processes that allow for effective participation of Zambians in the constitution making process.

He was speaking at the commemoration of the life of iconic civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Junior at the University of Zambia .

“We always support the right to focus on and campaign for freedom. … and we support the right for Zambians to participate in the constitution making process,” he said.

Mr. Young however said his government will not dictate to Zambia on how the constitution should be adopted and what its contents should be because it was her sovereign right to decide on what law to enact.

Recently Secretary to the Cabinet Rowland Msiska said that holding a referendum was too costly and could paralyse the country if used to adopt the new constitution.

Efforts to get a comment from Minister of Justice on whether government will approach the donor community for assistance to hold the referendum proved futile as his mobile phone went unanswered by press time.

Meanwhile, Mr. Young has urged Zambians to embrace a culture of promoting civil liberties by speaking out strongly on human rights abuses and help to change society as the country celebrates its golden jubilee this year.

Zambia’s golden jubilee celebrations coincide with the 50th anniversary of the passage of the US Civil Rights Act.