Media briefing on conclusion of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Troika
Ministerial meeting

27 January 2006

Thank you members of the media for attending this press conference of
conclusion of the Non-Aligned Movement, (NAM) Troika Ministerial meeting

Members of the Troika (South Africa, Cuba and Malaysia) met yesterday where
we completed our discussions. The objective of this meeting was to discuss
preparations for the 14th Heads of State meeting to be held in Havana, Cuba
from 11 to 16 September 2006 and the meeting of the Co-ordinating Bureau (CoB)
to be held in Malaysia from 30 to 31 May 2006. We also exchanged views with
regard to substantive issues that will ensure both meetings proceed efficiently
and smoothly. In this regard, we also discussed the methodology of the NAM and
the decision-making processes. We all agreed that the final document emanating
from the Summit must be concise and succinct highlighting issues of
relevance.

We also looked at the role of the NAM in handling issues of international
importance, including United Nations reform and disarmament, and agreed to look
at ways of enhancing the working relationship between the NAM and the G-77.

Questions and Answers:

Question: Minister Albar, as the Chair of NAM, would you please tell us if
the NAM countries have reached consensus with regard to the Iranian nuclear
issue?

Answer: (Minister Syed Albar): This was a meeting of the Troika that was
intended to discuss preparations for the forthcoming NAM Ministerial meeting
and Summit so that we could ensure that all preparations would run smoothly and
efficiently. We did not therefore discuss any issues that were not related to
the agenda.

Question: Minister, regarding the reform of the United Nations and
disarmament, what were the specific issues with regard to disarmament?

Answer: (Minister Syed Albar): The NAM has a longstanding position on this
matter. The NAM ultimately supports global denuclearisation. The NAM does not
however object to the use of nuclear technology for civilian purposes.

Question: On what levels are South Africa and Cuba co-operation in terms of
skills transfer?

Answer: (Minister Perez Roque): South Africa and Cuba have been co-operating
on many levels for at least 10 years. We have a permanent commission for
co-operation (JBC) between both countries that meets annually and discusses
bilateral co-operation. We also have a mechanism that looks at bilateral
political dialogue between both countries. In this regard, our co-operation is
very strong. There are more than 120 doctors working in South Africa. We are
investigating technology transfer Cuban companies are working with South
African companies in order to develop a vaccine that would prevent hepatitis.
More than 500 South African students are studying medicine in Cuba. The Cuban
co-operation with South Africa is part of our co-operation in Africa. In this
regard, more than 3000 Cuban doctors are working in 20 African countries.

Question: What steps will the NAM take to revitalise the organisation?

Answer: (Minister Dlamini Zuma) The first thing is to ensure that the NAM is
engaged in all international processes; for example, in the United Nations, we
have to ensure we are part of all discussions on the Human Rights Council. It
is important that the NAM makes its voice heard. Countries of the South must
not be marginalized in terms of international processes.

We are also looking at closer co-operation with the G-77 – there is a
mechanism to facilitate this although it has not been very active up to now.
Positions must be co-ordinated so that we can make an impact as countries of
the South.
Co-operation within NAM is going well – for example – we currently co-operate
very strongly on areas of health matters. Cuba is currently involved in some
trilateral projects in Africa – i.e. Cuba-South Africa-Mali and Cuba-South
Africa–Rwanda. This constitutes co-operation in terms of achieving the agenda
of the South. It is co-operation like this that will revitalise the NAM.

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
27 January 2006