News In Brief

Zambian birthday celebration muted by economic hardship

Zambia celebrated its 20th anniversary of independence Wednesday with a military parade attended by six African leaders and by President Kenneth Kaunda, who has led the country since its birth.

The parade marked the climax of a week of celebrations taking place at a time of unparalleled economic hardship because of a disastrous fall in the world price of copper, virtually Zambia's only export.

''This is the very saddest independence anniversary in our history,'' a Zambian journalist said.