N Dlamini Zuma and M D'Alema press comments following South Africa-Italy
Business Forum

11 July 2007

Your Excellency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
Massimo D'Alema, welcome to the press conference. As it is traditional we will
ask Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to address us and
thereafter she will invite the Deputy Prime Minister to address us, followed by
questions.

Opening remarks at the press briefing by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

Thank you Ronnie and good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the media. We are
very happy to receive and to welcome Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
D'Alema and his delegation, including his business delegation and his Minister
of Industry who are not here with us now.

We are happy to receive them because Italy and ourselves are very close in
terms of our bilateral political relations. In fact we were struggling to think
about what is it we can discuss in terms of our bilateral political relations,
but we have recognised that we still have a lot of untapped potential in terms
of economic co-operation and are very excited that they (Italians) were able to
bring so many of their business people (138 business people) to meet with our
business people to see what they can do to encourage this economic
relations.

Italy is of course a very strong member of the European Union (EU) and the
Group of Eight (G8) we also have lots of co-operation and work at those levels
because New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), is a programme that
we very much would like the G8 to support and we know that we have a good ally
in Italy there and in the EU. At the moment we are also working together at the
UN. We've always worked together on many areas. We are together in the United
Nations Security Council which always helps when you have countries that you
are close with politically. So at the multilateral fora we work together, it's
a very exciting time for us. In April, I was received by the Foreign Minister
in Italy we've seen each other very close it's an indication of what we really
would like to see in terms of our relations.

Italy is also very keen to see the EU-Africa Summit and the strengthening of
Africa-EU relations and so is South Africa. Lastly of course Italy will support
us and is supporting us in the run up to the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. When
2010 comes, Italy will be a very strong competitor for the World Cup and for
the finals. We look forward to having them both as our guests but also as a
strong team for 2010. Again, welcome Minister! The Minister will give you all
the details of what we discussed.

Remarks by Deputy Prime Minister of the Italian Republic (also Foreign
Minister), Mr Massimo D'Alema

Thank you Minister Zuma for a warm welcome in our third meeting, the first
was during the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York and in Rome (5
April if I remember). Thank you, I hope that my visit will contribute to the
strengthening of bilateral relations between Italy and South Africa with the
aim to create an authentically strategic bilateral partnership.

I wish to underline the role exercised by South Africa both as a leader of
the process of the African Renaissance and an important voice of the continent
on the international level.

I also want to stress the importance of the mediation role played in the
main areas of conflict and tension of the continent including contribution to
peacekeeping operations. There is a strong convergence I want to underline on
many regional and international issues as stated in the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) of 2003, Italy and South Africa share a mutual interest in
further consolidating the structural dialogue at political and diplomatic
level. Italy and the Republic of South Africa are members of the United Nations
Security Council (UNSC). The situation offers ideal context to strengthen such
a dialogue in favour of peaceful settlement of many critical areas of the
African continent and not only in Africa, but we are facing together very
important international issues; like Kosovo and Iran.

In this context, in the African context, Italy supports and encourages the
strengthening of the co-operation between the African Union Peace and Security
Council (AUPSC) and the UNSC in the field of peacekeeping, stability and
security. We held discussions on the crisis in Darfur, situations in Somalia
and Zimbabwe.

South Africa represents an emerging power in economic terms. Italian
entrepreneurs are convinced that the business partnership with South Africa is
a real and attractive opportunity. I think that the presence of so many Italian
entrepreneurs in our delegation is an important signal that they are confident
in the future of South Africa.

The trend of our economic bilateral relations is very positive but margins
for steady progress still exist, taking into account the high economic levels
of countries, bilateral exchange and direct investment. The presence of Italian
entrepreneurs is a good signal and my feeling is that yesterday and today, many
discussions between business to business, I am sure after such discussions we
can have some important new contracts and joint ventures and common industrial
projects. This is our philosophy, not only trade but common projects and
co-operation

Year 2010 will be an opportunity of great international visibility for South
Africa with a positive feedback on the national economy. Italy is ready to
provide expertise in this field and well, we are also ready to participate with
a goal to confirm the centrality of Italy. We are not a superpower but on the
soccer field we are a superpower.

I'm sure that South Africa is ready to play an important part in the
continent as an engine for African integration. South Africa is an important
member of this core group. Finally, I want to thank South Africa for joining
efforts with us to support the presentation of a resolution promoting the
suspension of the application of the death penalty worldwide. This will be a
great progress for the fundamental cause of human rights, the right to life. We
will sponsor this resolution. We want to thank you as well because South Africa
also stands ready to support the candidacy of Milan for Expo 2015, which is for
us very important and a new signal of the friendship between our two
countries.

Questions and answer session

Q: Battle for abolition of the death penalty at the United Nations (UN).
Which other African countries might be galvanised to work towards this goal, if
any? If South Africa can mobilise support to convince other African countries
of this resolution (will be brought to work towards this goal of the abolition
of the death penalty worldwide).

A: (Dlamini Zuma) We should first check which countries in Africa have
abolished the death penalty to support, because that will be the core group
that will be able to support and the second level will be those that still have
it. The important group will be those who have already abolished the death
penalty in their countries.

Q: You did discuss the issue of Zimbabwe amongst many different issues on
the African continent? Could I ask both Ministers, are you concerned about the
apparent economic meltdown in Zimbabwe and the fact that the government team
did not pitch up for mediation as expected this weekend under South African
mediation?

A: (Dlamini Zuma) We are concerned about the situation generally in
Zimbabwe, including the economic situation which has been deteriorating over
time and it is in part for that very reason that SADC has decided that there
must be some discussions and reconciliation, because it is very difficult to
rebuilt an economy in a country where there is a very severe divide and
polarisation.

I am not quite informed about what happened over the weekend. As you know I
only arrived from Belarus and I went straight into the Cameroonian meeting,
there must have been a good reason as to why they did not turn up. I will find
out because they are committed to that mediation. I don't think it was any sign
of them wanting to pull out or anything.

Clearly a problematic economy in Zimbabwe means that SADC as a region will
feel the consequences of that and South Africa in particular. But we have to do
all our best to revitalise or restart in a way, regenerate the economy there
for the benefit of the Zimbabwean people and the region. Of course, Zimbabwe
has been one of our biggest trading partners so it's very important in all
fronts that their economy is regenerated.

Q: Minister D'Alema, you said Italy is prepared to help South Africa with
the security for 2010 FIFA World championship. Does that include the request by
Minister Charles Nqakula who went to Italy to ask for help from the police
ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup? Can you confirm that please?

A: (D'Alema) We didn't talk about that but we know that the South African
Minister is coming to Italy, we are ready to welcome him, we have not yet
received any request for carabineer (police) but we are ready to co-operate
with South Africa for security during 2010 FIFA World championship. We know
that the Minister of Intelligence of South Africa is coming to Italy and we are
ready to welcome him.

Q: (D'Alema) As a member of the UNSC how does Italy see the latest
development in the Darfur and do you think will be the outcomes of all the
efforts on the hybrid force, to Dr Zuma, could you kindly brief us about the
outcome of the visit to Belarus?

A: (D'Alema) On Darfur, we fully support the conclusion of the Paris
Conference on the entire international community on the global approach which
means to take into consideration, the three different tracks of the crisis,
political, economic and peacekeeping. On peacekeeping, we welcome Sudanese's
government acceptance of the joint report of the deployment of the so-called a
hybrid force as a fundamental step forward towards the resolution of the
crisis.

We are convinced that what is very important is the political negotiations,
which is the only possibility to reach a lasting sustainable solution to the
crisis.

We are in favour that the international community confirms its support to
the joint initiative by the Special Envoys of the African Union (AU), Salim and
the UN (Elianson) recognising its centrality in dealing with regard to the
humanitarian process.

As regards the humanitarian crisis, you are Aware that the French
initiatives to support refugees in Chad have a proposal on addressing the
Humanitarian crisis and Italy is supportive of this initiative. This approach
reflects the pragmatic approach by Ban Ki Moon which we support.

On our side we have to continue pursuing both parties and Sudanese
government without introducing further sanctions today in the present condition
because I think we have to prefer the political pressure, humanitarian
initiative and international support to the crisis.

A: (Dlamini Zuma) We didn't discuss Belarus, but if you have not exhausted
questions on Belarus we could discuss that at the end.

Q: Minister D'Alema, you have said that South Africa is an engine for
integration in Africa and we all know that integration on the continent similar
to the EU model. Which other African countries do you see as engine of
integration on the African continent?

A: (D'Alema) It is not our task to indicate which country has to be a member
of the core group. We are in favour of African integration as a prelude to
peace and stability.

Without any doubt South Africa is a leading country on the African
continent, stable democracy which plays an important role on the stabilisation
of the African continent. For the unity of the EU, the presence of a core group
for unity of the Europe was very important.

The membership founders of the EU during its long history have always played
a very important role. Personally, I do not think that the European experience
has to be a model but in our experience the presence of an engine, a core group
of State willing the unity of Europe was very important.

In addition, Dr Dlamini Zuma said that even on the African continent we do
need engines/locomotives to drive the integration some maybe obvious others may
not be that obvious but they are essential to accelerate the process
forward.

Q: With regard to the forthcoming EU-Africa Summit, would Italy encourage a
country like Zimbabwe to attend such a summit given that you did touch on the
question.

A: (D'Alema) We are supporting the engagement of the Portuguese Presidency
for the next EU-Africa Summit. Personally I find it incredible that last
EU-Africa Summit was in 2000 which means that seven years ago and finally we
decide to promote a new summit, we must overcome the Zimbabwe issue which was
holding hostage the convening of the summit.

We are confident that the initiative of President Mbeki could represent the
key to opening possibility for the gradual revision of the positioning of the
European common position. But without any doubt, we must convene the summit,
the Portuguese Presidency is working towards that direction and I�m sure the
summit will be promoted.

We want to have a very concrete summit with some concrete decision and
adopting a common strategy to address the common challenges, development,
fighting poverty, migration, security, fighting terrorism we have so many
common challenges and need to work together in the years ahead.

Q: Firstly congratulations on your Professorship Minister (given to Minister
Dlamini Zuma in Belarus). Which other African countries have abolished the
death penalty and Minister can you also please give us a preview of your visit
to Russia and India next week?

Q: Iranian nuclear issue and your comments by Mohamed El Baradei,
Director-General (DG) of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), when he
said that Iran had been slowing down its enrichment activities in the past few
weeks and that a high delegation of IAEA is visiting Iran tomorrow?

A: (Dlamini-Zuma) I will have to do research on which African countries have
so far abolished the death penalty, I cannot give you a list right now and on
our visit to India and Russia as you know we have this India, Brazil, South
Africa (IBSA) initiative forum where we are trying to work together as
countries of the South on certain economic and political aspects.

This is a Ministerial Summit of IBSA that will be preparing for the summit
which will take place in South Africa later in the year at the end of the year.
In Russia we have a joint commission, ITECH that meets annually and half way
through the year we have an Intercessional meeting, am just going there with a
small delegation looking at what progress and obstacles we are encountering so
that we do not have to wait for at the end of the year.

In Belarus, I was with the Minister of Minerals and Energy Buyelwa Sonjica
and the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and to look at some of
our complementarities in our economy, Belarus has some special niches in their
technology which would be useful for us. They are one of the few countries
which have been able to cut down on their demand for energy by 17% and now want
to cut it down to 25%.

They do not have oil but have some technologies for renewable forms of
energy. Those are some of the industries that we were looking at just to
mention a few to see what kind of co-operation we could look at. They have
special technologies in renewable energy, trade and investment.

They are amongst the four biggest manufacturers of trucks and their prices
are quite competitive and we explored what kind of co-operation we could embark
upon.

A: (D'Alema) On Iran, news on the slowing down of its nuclear enrichment
activities by Iran is good news. Italy is against the nuclear bomb for Iran.
But at the same time since the beginning of the crisis, we are in favour of a
negotiated solution. A package for a negotiated solution we are concerned about
the possibility to have further sanctions because in my opinion you risk being
in a war scenario in a few years. Either accepts a nuclear bomb in Iran a
possibility or to have war. We consider such an alternative totally
unacceptable.

The signal that the authorities seem to be ready to open opportunity for
negotiations is very important, to set up a stringent monitoring mechanism is
more important than suspending uranium enrichment.

I had an opportunity to speak to Mohamed El-Baradei. My personal opinion is
that we proposed during the last Group of Eight (G8) Summit that we should open
negotiations with Iran without any pre-conditions because the only consequence
of sanctions is, we support the sanctions because we are a member of the UNSC
and the UN.

Without any doubt, the fact that Iran did not respect the UNSC resolution
made it inevitable to have sanctions, my opinion is that we should engage Iran
in a negotiated settlement. But at the same time support the Iranian with the
goal to speak to Iranian public opinion and Iranian people against nuclear bomb
but at the same time support the programme for the civil use of nuclear power
which is different, I think that the initiative has to keep any opportunity
open to engage Iran in a negotiated settlement we will see in the next days
what this signal of slowing uranium enrichment means.

A: (Dlamini Zuma) Maybe just to add, we also support the view that there
should be no nuclear bomb in Iran but that we also do not want war waged
against Iran. We are encouraged by the EU initiative of Mr Solana's diplomacy,
we would like to (as always) see any misunderstanding and conflict resolved
peacefully.

I thank you!

Contact:
Nomfanelo Kota
Cell: 082 459 3787

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
11 July 2007