In Zambia, opposition leaders say that they are living in fear following the detention without trial of former President Kenneth Kaunda. Mr. Kaunda was arrested on Christmas Day and is being held under emergency legislation. He has applied to the high court in the capital, Lusaka, to be released or to be charged. Richard Downes reports from Lusaka:

Opposition leaders meeting in Lusaka decided to postpone a planned meeting with Zambian President, Frederick Chiluba, in protest against the on-going state of emergency in the country.

Most of the leaders of the small parties represented at the meeting said that they feared arrest and detention.

The government and opposition are supposed to be co-operating on a new constitution for Zambia, but they are at the moment fighting each other like never before.

The main opposition leader, Kenneth Kaunda, is being held in prison without trial and another important independent politician, Dean Mungo'mba, is languishing in jail. Again no charges have been brought against him.

Many detainees are being held in Kabwe prison in the centre of the country, the place where current President, Frederick Chiluba, was jailed for trade union activities in the nineteen eighties.

Opposition politicians say President Chiluba is vindictively persecuting his opponents and is pushing Zambia towards open conflict.