Mozambique

When I think flamingos, I normally think plastic and lawn. This photo from Times reader " tesmoscow" reminds me that you can find these majestic birds in the wild. Here, a flock flies over a patch of greenery in Mozambique. Besides flamingos, visitors can find national parks, nature reserves, beaches and more in this southeast Africa nation. Mozambique, which received its independence from Portugal in 1975, experienced unrest until the mid-1990s. Since then, it has seen increased economic growth and is trying to expand its tourism industry.

This week's Culinary SOS request comes from Keith Johnson in Rancho Palos Verdes: "Last summer, my girlfriend and I spent our vacation on Florida's Amelia Island. We stopped by a lovely, quaint Spanish restaurant in Fernandina Beach called España . Its gambas Mozambique (shrimp Mozambique style) was extraordinary. I'd love the recipe so we could enjoy this fabulous dish more than just once a year. " If I didn't know how easy this dish was to make, I'd be planning a cross-country trip to Amelia Island too. Large shrimp are poached in a rich sauce flavored with garlic and spice, fresh lemon, coconut milk and a few dashes of hot sauce.

This week's Culinary SOS request comes from Keith Johnson in Rancho Palos Verdes: "Last summer, my girlfriend and I spent our vacation on Florida's Amelia Island. We stopped by a lovely, quaint Spanish restaurant in Fernandina Beach called España . Its gambas Mozambique (shrimp Mozambique style) was extraordinary. I'd love the recipe so we could enjoy this fabulous dish more than just once a year. " If I didn't know how easy this dish was to make, I'd be planning a cross-country trip to Amelia Island too. Large shrimp are poached in a rich sauce flavored with garlic and spice, fresh lemon, coconut milk and a few dashes of hot sauce.

Dear SOS: Last summer, my girlfriend and I spent our vacation on Florida's Amelia Island. We stopped by a lovely, quaint Spanish restaurant in Fernandina Beach called España . Its gambas Mozambique (shrimp Mozambique style) was extraordinary. I'd love the recipe so we could enjoy this fabulous dish more than just once a year. Keith Johnson Rancho Palos Verdes Dear Keith: If I didn't know how easy this dish was to make, I'd be planning a cross-country trip to Amelia Island too. Large shrimp are poached in a rich sauce flavored with garlic and spice, fresh lemon, coconut milk and a few dashes of hot sauce.

Behn's account distorts facts, ignores history and is an apologia for a fractious group that has terrorized thousands of civilians in Mozambique. Neither Behn nor the leaders of Renamo can deny that Renamo was created by Rhodesian security forces during the struggle for Zimbabwe independence. Those in the Rhodesian security forces have given detailed accounts of their creation of Renamo to destabilize Mozambique so it could not assist the liberation forces for Zimbabwe. Further, they have documented how the group was flown to South Africa in 1979 (at the time of Zimbabwe independence)

Mozambique's poor, many carrying small children, formed long lines Wednesday to pick a replacement for a president who has ruled the impoverished African country for 18 years. Over two days of voting, Mozambique will pick a successor to retiring President Joaquim Chissano, who is stepping down after two elected terms.

The Senate, at long last ignoring the bad advice of Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), finally summoned its collective courage and good sense and did what it should have done 10 months ago by confirming Melissa Wells as the new American ambassador to Mozambique. She is a career Foreign Service officer with substantial experience in Africa, well qualified for the delicate task of pursuing the constructive policy that President Reagan has followed for that desperate and confused country.

Dear SOS: Last summer, my girlfriend and I spent our vacation on Florida's Amelia Island. We stopped by a lovely, quaint Spanish restaurant in Fernandina Beach called España . Its gambas Mozambique (shrimp Mozambique style) was extraordinary. I'd love the recipe so we could enjoy this fabulous dish more than just once a year. Keith Johnson Rancho Palos Verdes Dear Keith: If I didn't know how easy this dish was to make, I'd be planning a cross-country trip to Amelia Island too. Large shrimp are poached in a rich sauce flavored with garlic and spice, fresh lemon, coconut milk and a few dashes of hot sauce.

The ruling party in Mozambique dropped all references to a Marxist-Leninist ideology in its draft program Friday, backpedaling on its policies since independence from Portugal in 1975. President Joaquim Chissano said the party program, expected to be approved at the first National Congress in more than five years, puts solutions to the nation's crisis in a "real framework," though not necessarily "an ideal one." Mozambique has been undergoing a crippling civil war.

After complaints from election monitors, observers from the European Union and the Commonwealth have asked Mozambique for access to centers where votes from last week's balloting are being verified. The impoverished southern African country went to the polls Wednesday and Thursday, and a preliminary count was complete. But the data still have to be fed into computers and verified in the 11 provinces and the capital, Maputo, before a formal announcement, and monitors want to assess that process.

When I think flamingos, I normally think plastic and lawn. This photo from Times reader " tesmoscow" reminds me that you can find these majestic birds in the wild. Here, a flock flies over a patch of greenery in Mozambique. Besides flamingos, visitors can find national parks, nature reserves, beaches and more in this southeast Africa nation. Mozambique, which received its independence from Portugal in 1975, experienced unrest until the mid-1990s. Since then, it has seen increased economic growth and is trying to expand its tourism industry.

Explosions and a fire at Mozambique's national weapons depot in the capital, Maputo, killed at least nine people and sent thousands fleeing in panic. Windows were shattered and buildings shook in the impoverished neighborhood. Police sealed off the area as ambulances rushed from the scene. President Armando Guebuza appealed for calm on national TV as firefighters and military officials tried to control the blaze. He said the military was investigating the cause.

This is a sad and ironic moment in the history of free speech -- at least in the United States. As soon as this week, two reporters I represent could find themselves in jail for refusing to reveal their confidential sources to investigators looking into who leaked information about CIA operative Valerie Plame. That's sad.

Along a boulevard lined with flowering acacia trees, young people in designer clothes and high-heeled shoes chatter on the sidewalk, struggling to be heard over the driving Latin rhythms spilling from a nightclub. Maputo's vibrant nightlife lets people forget that it is the capital of one of the world's poorest countries. Here you can eat Italian, dance like a Brazilian and flirt in Portuguese.

Businessman Armando Guebuza was sworn in as Mozambique's president in Maputo's Independence Square, taking over from Joaquim Chissano, who retired after 18 years. The 61-year-old millionaire is the African nation's third president since independence from Portugal in 1975.

After complaints from election monitors, observers from the European Union and the Commonwealth have asked Mozambique for access to centers where votes from last week's balloting are being verified. The impoverished southern African country went to the polls Wednesday and Thursday, and a preliminary count was complete. But the data still have to be fed into computers and verified in the 11 provinces and the capital, Maputo, before a formal announcement, and monitors want to assess that process.

Working hard to make friends on its first local visit, the National Song and Dance Company of Mozambique offered a vigorous overview of distinctive African traditions and history in a two-part program at El Camino College on Friday. Formed in 1979 and professionalized in 1983, the company is smaller and less artful in choreographic expression than the older, better known Les Ballets Africains (from Guinea) and the National Dance Company of Senegal.

Mozambique's poor, many carrying small children, formed long lines Wednesday to pick a replacement for a president who has ruled the impoverished African country for 18 years. Over two days of voting, Mozambique will pick a successor to retiring President Joaquim Chissano, who is stepping down after two elected terms.

A judge has ordered the son of President Joachim Chissano to be questioned in connection with the killing of a prominent journalist. Carlos Cardoso, former owner and editor of the daily Metical newspaper, was killed in November 2000 in Maputo when gunmen emerged from a car and shot him and his driver. Prosecutors said a witness in the case had told them Chissano's son Nyimpine, who is not among the six charged, attended a meeting at which plans to assassinate Cardoso were discussed.