I will not be vindictive - Mills

Accra, Mar. 2, GNA- Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), says he would not adopt a vindictive posture against the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government when voted into power in the December 2004 Presidential elections.

"I will take steps to have the law on 'causing financial loss to the state' reviewed, alongside other laws especially of military regimes, whose selective application have generated political controversy." This, he said, to do with a view to ensuring that they would no longer be resorting to purpose of settling political scores and also to demonstrate his good faith.

Professor Mills said this at a press conference dubbed: "The State of the Nation: The Way Forward," which sought to give the NDC's view of the state of the economy and the way forward as the NDC would do when voted into power.

Party faithfuls, the diplomatic corps and a host of local and international journalists attended the event.

Prof. Mills said there was no need for him to be vindictive, "besides, vengeance begets more vengeance and what we have in the end is a vicious cycle of vengeance and revenge and vengeance instead of a united and determined people marching forward to a purposeful future."

Prof Mills said he has watched with trepidation and increasing apprehension, the tension and divisiveness that the ruling NPP's policy of harassment, intimidation, persecution and prosecution of supporters of the NDC and other opposition parties had created in the country.

"Of particular concern has been the regrettable treatment that the current NPP leadership has meted out to the former President, a man whose credentials are acknowledged internationally ..."

He admitted that there were people in the NDC who were determined to pay the NPP in their own coin when the NDC came to power, but what do we gain from doing such a thing," he queried.

He pledged that "under my Presidency, there will be no political vengeance, there will be no political vendetta, and there will be no political vindictiveness.

"By nature I am ... a man of peace. But let no one mistake my wish for peace for a wish for injustice. Injustice will be righted. I will ensure that true justice is dispensed in accordance with the Constitution. That I assure you."