at Imbizo Media Centre, Cape Town
12 October 2006
Let me begin by dealing with the burning issues that we are confronted with
almost daily.
Sudan/Darfur
* The situation in Darfur continues to be a matter of grave concern to
us.
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's September report highlights the
reasons. He says, "The grave violations of international human rights law and
humanitarian law continue to be committed with impunity".
It's been three months since the Darfur peace agreement was signed. However,
instead of reconciliation and building of trust, we are witnessing intensified
violence and deeper polarisation. The region is again on the brink of a
catastrophic situation and he blames both the signatories and non-signatories
who are continuing, in his words "to violate their obligations under the Darfur
peace agreement and the N'Djamena ceasefire agreement."
He strongly appeals to those with influence over the groups which have not
signed the Darfur peace agreement to put pressure on them to adhere to the
spirit of the ceasefire and to join the peace process. Under no circumstances
will the violent pursuit of political goals be accepted and he reiterates the
need to broaden political and popular support for the peace agreement.
"I call on the government to ensure that all local authorities in Darfur are
reminded of their obligations under the status of forces agreement."
He mentions that we are at a critical stage. Insecurity in this troubled
region is at its highest levels and humanitarian access is at its lowest levels
since 2004.
He welcomed the fact that on 20 September, the African Union (AU) Peace and
Security Council extended the mandate of the AU operation until 31 December
2006, and he called on the international community to give the AU force all the
support necessary to ensure it becomes successful.
However, he again reiterates his view which is the view of the UN that a UN
multidimensional operation, in accordance with Security Council resolution
1706, (2006) would be the most appropriate political approach to achieving
lasting and sustainable peace and that only such a truly international and
impartial operation, with adequate resources and capacity and with strong
African participation, can effectively support the implementation of the Darfur
Peace Agreement (DPA).
However, as you know, the Sudanese government continues to oppose any
blue-hatting of the AU forces.
In a joint AU-UN letter to President Bashir it was outlined that the UN will
be supplying 109 UN military support, 23 logistical staff, 33 UN police
advisors and 25 civilian support staff to assist the AU forces and they will
soon be sent to Darfur and that their main task will be to help the AU operate
under the maximum operational control and that this deployment will try to deal
with the concerns of the Sudanese government and will be conducted in
transparency with the full support of the government of Sudan.
I am happy that in a letter from the President of Sudan to the UN
Secretary-General he says, "It has been our conviction that the support of the
UN and the international community to African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) is
a necessity, not only for the purpose of carrying out the functions assigned to
AMIS under the DPA but also for the purposes of moral support to the AU in
order to address with confidence similar future conflicts on the African
continent."
So they have welcomed this deployment of the UN forces to support AMIS and I
think this is a good step in the right direction.
It is also important to note that on 26 September the UN Security Council by
Resolution 1709 extended the UN mission in Sudan to 8 October 2006, that's in
the rest of Sudan not in Darfur and as the Secretary-General said the AU has
now decided to extend its mission until 31 December 2006.
However, it has been decided to expand the AMIS mission by 4 000 troops
bringing the mission to a total of 11 000 and once again it is expected that
the present troop contributing countries will increase their deployments and we
will be able to meet this demand of 4 000 troops.
The UN will provide logistical and financial support for this increased
involvement and as you know, the Foreign Ministers of the Arab States did offer
to provide financial assistance to any AMIS forces in Darfur.
The Presidents of Sudan, Gabon, Nigeria and Senegal will hold a summit on
the Darfur crisis in Khartoum on 17 October 2006. They will meet with the
President of Sudan to once again see if they can convince him of the importance
of blue-hatting the AMIS troops and we hope progress will be made on that
score.
* Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
A new 500-member national assembly was inaugurated on Friday, 22 September
2006. This body replaces the transitional parliament formed in accordance with
the 2002 Sun City Agreement. This is regarded as a major landmark as this is
the first democratically elected parliament in the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC) for over 40 years. The installation of the new parliament is a major step
towards the conclusion of the transitional process.
In terms of the Constitution of the DRC, the majority party or a coalition
of parties in parliament will elect a Prime Minister. Noting that no party or
coalition won an outright majority in legislative elections, political parties
are forming alliances for the control of parliament. The Alliance for
Presidential Majority (AMP) of President Kabila is reported to have teamed-up
with Mr A Gizenga and Mr Nzanga Mobutu among others, thus giving them the
required majority to nominate a Prime Minister and form a government. In the
interim, parliament is presided over by the oldest member seconded by the two
youngest members.
The Movement for Liberation of Congo (MLC) party of Vice President Bemba
officially launched a new political platform called "Union for the Nation" (UN)
on 29 September in Kinshasa. The aim of this political platform is to make sure
that Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba is elected as the new president. The platform also
includes a number of less prominent presidential candidates who lost during the
first round of the presidential elections.
Sadly, the opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), who
boycotted the 30 July 2006 elections, further renewed its unwillingness to
accept the electoral process under way in the DRC by refusing to back either
presidential candidate at the upcoming presidential run-off.
The campaigning period for the provincial elections started on 28 September
2006.
The presidential election campaign is scheduled to start on 13 October 2006,
15 days before the 29 October 2006 elections.
South Africa will send a national observer mission to observe the upcoming
presidential run-off. The mission will be deployed in all 11 provinces from 22
October to 2 November 2006. In addition an advance team of observers will,
however, be deployed as early as 11 October ahead of the start of election
campaign.
The transportation of the presidential and provincial ballot papers was
completed on 29 September 2006, five days ahead of schedule. In this regard we
thank the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) for their excellent
work. According to the schedule the ballots had to be delivered to 14 hubs in
the DRC by 2 October to ensure further distribution by the DRC Independent
Electoral Commission (IEC) and the United Nations Mission in Democratic
Republic of Congo (MONUC) to over 50 000 voting stations before the 29 October
election.
I want to reiterate how pleased we are that the preparations are going well.
There have been no major incidents of violence.
The UN Security Council on 29 September 2006 extended the mandate of MONUC,
the UN mission to the DRC, until 15 February 2007, which would otherwise have
expired at the end of September 2006. This is essential for the continuation of
the support the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is providing
towards the successful completion of the electoral process in the DRC.
Representatives of both President Kabila and Vice President Bemba have
signed an agreement to make Kinshasa a weapons free zone. This comes after the
fighting that broke out between their guards from 20 - 22 August 2006. The
agreement seeks to reduce the risk of fighting in Kinshasa and to reassure the
citizens of the DRC that it is safe to vote during the 29 October 2006 run-off
elections.
The UN would deploy mixed street patrols to enforce this commitment.
The continued support of the international community, of which South Africa
is an integral part, remains critical to ensuring the completion of the
electoral process in the DRC.
Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari will visit the
DRC starting 13 October and will meet with key Congolese political actors and
the IEC as well as with Secretary-General Kofi Annan's special representative,
William Swing and his team. He will again reiterate the UN position of wanting
to ensure the elections are carried out successfully.
After his first visit to the DRC, Mr Gambari will go to Cape Town, South
Africa, in addition to discussions with government, launch on 16 October 2006,
the first of a series of consultations about the mediation in peace processes
involving experts from different world regions. President Mbeki was to have
opened this but will have to leave for the AU Peace and Security Council Summit
in Ethiopia.
* Cote d'Ivoire
We remain concerned that the two outstanding issues, the identification of
voters and the demobilisation, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) process have
not been resolved despite the meetings that took place in New York.
The meeting in New York could not come to any real conclusions as to what
happens after the passing of the election date (31 October 2006) and the
parties are differing quite substantially on the nature of the transitional
arrangement after 31 October.
The New York meeting then decided that Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS), which is the regional grouping, would meet and then make a
recommendation to the AU Peace and Security Council which would then report to
the United Nations Security Council.
ECOWAS Summit held on Friday, 6 October 2006, ended without a public
communiqu�.
The recommendations made by ECOWAS leaders would be presented to the AU on
17 October 2006.
We want to once again make clear that South Africa did not go and get
involved in the issue because we had nothing to do. We were requested by the AU
and the then President of ECOWAS, President Obasanjo, to get involved at the
time that the crisis was very serious and we will of course accept the position
of the Peace and Security Council on the way forward.
At this stage we are concerned that smugglers in war-divided Ivory Coast are
violating a UN imposed ban on diamond sales, exporting the gems illegally
across the border into neighbouring countries.
The draft report said between US$9 million and US$24 million worth of
diamonds mined in the rebel-held north of the West African country are being
sold on the international market each year.
The report identified four major diamond dealers, an Ivorian, a Malian, a
Belgian and another whose nationality was not known, in the northern rebel town
of Seguela who it said were involved in the trade. It also cited two Belgian
buyers who relocated to Ghana following the outbreak of Ivory Coast's war.
Porous border and poor controls are to blame for the illicit diamond trade,
according to the UN report. It is also our fear that if the borders are so
porous, the possibility of more arms reaching this area can become a serious
problem in future.
* Burundi
As you know, Minister Nqakula is now in Burundi trying to ensure that the
Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism (JMEM), which has been charged with
overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire accord between the government
and the Forces for National Liberation (FNL), which was launched on Wednesday,
begins to function.
Again unfortunately, the FNL representatives did not attend. However, as the
Minister has indicated it is our intention to ensure that the Joint
Verification Mechanism (JVM) does begin functioning effectively. Otherwise
durable peace will not be sustained.
The FNL delegation did not come to the launch because they are saying their
leader is being detained in Bujumbura and he should be released before they can
participate in this process.
It is our view that the FNL knows that there is the joint liaison team under
the JVM which could deal with the issue of political detainees and that cannot
be reason for them to not participate. We should try to deal with all
outstanding issues within this mechanism.
As the Minister has indicated to the FNL, in the past week, the government
has conceded to many of the FNL demands including the issuing of passports to
the group's leaders and the proclamation of a provisional immunity for the FNL
leadership.
We do believe that this verification mechanism which compromises 24 members
representing Burundi's government and the FNL is an effective mechanism to try
to ensure we do move forward on this process. The longer the ceasefire is not
fully implemented, the longer this process is in danger of collapse.
* Finally on the African scene we are concerned that the UN's World Food
Programme (WFP) is saying it will have to cut back on feeding vulnerable
southern Africans because it does not have the funds to carry programmes
through the lean season and that they will face a shortfall of US$60 million
between December 2006 and March 2007 and that they have already scaled down
some of their operations in Zimbabwe which has affected some 450 000 people. It
has cut back the urban feeding programme, reduced school-feeding projects from
17 districts to 14 and suspended mobile feeding in all areas.
Until now it had been expected that the WFP would feed at least four million
people in the region until March next year, when the next harvest is due.
However, as the regional director has said, the needs in other parts of the
world as in Darfur are very pressing and that in this context many southern
Africans will die because they will not get food to eat, but they will be
recorded as deaths due to AIDS related illnesses in clinics.
Zimbabwe and Swaziland have been identified as the most vulnerable
countries. The May 2006 Zimbabwe vulnerability assessment identified 1,4
million people as critically in need of food assistance. WFP requires at least
US$17 million just to get Zimbabwe through the lean season between
harvests.
So it is a serious problem to which South Africa cannot remain immune. South
Africa will have to try and assist the WFP in getting the necessary resources
they need. Unfortunately the WFP says from long term assessments of the weather
patterns indicate that there will be another period of drought which does raise
concerns for us.
Deputy President to consolidate relations in Australasia
South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will pay an official
visit to Australasia that will see her visit Australia and New Zealand from 16
� 18 October and 19 - 21 October respectively. Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka
will be hosted by her counterparts, Prime Ministers' John Howard and Helen
Clark in Australia and New Zealand, respectively.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka's visit to the region comes within the
context of South Africa's priority to maintain and further enhance support for
the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) through countries of the
Commonwealth with a view to consolidating the African agenda.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka's delegation is expected to include Ministers
of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa and Science and Technology Mosibudi
Mangena and Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will also use this visit to promote the
Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (AsgiSA) and Joint
Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition (JIPSA).
In addition, the visit will be aimed at:
* strengthening the political, cultural and trade links between both
countries
* to re-evaluate diplomatic relations between both countries and South Africa
with the purpose of strengthening these relations with a view to consolidating
South-South co-operation
* exploring opportunities for South African investors in both countries and
identifying new markets for South African exports
* sharing views on developments in Africa and Australasia.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will in Australia and New Zealand investigate
opportunities for partnerships with both countries in order to address:
* infrastructure development
* sector investment (or industrial) strategies
* skills and education initiatives
* second economy interventions
* macro-economic issues
* public administration issues.
While in Australia, Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is also expected to hold
discussions with:
* the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Mark Vaile
* the Governor of New South Wales Professor Marie Roslyn Bashir
* representatives from the Queensland State Government on Queensland's Skills
Development Programme
* the Governor of the Australian Reserve Bank, Glenn Stevens
* participate in a Business Forum co-hosted by the Premier of the New South
Wales Parliament and the President of the New South Wales Legislative
Council
* participate in an infrastructure roundtable.
In New Zealand, Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is expected to hold
discussions with her counterpart Prime Minister Helen Clark, the Governor of
the Reserve Bank Dr Bollard, Minister of Economic Development Trevor Mallard,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr Michael Cullen and the
Governor-General and visit the Whitireia Community Polytechnic.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is expected to return to South Africa on
Saturday, 21 October 2006.
Bilateral economic relations
Australia
Trade Statistics In Rand Value
Trade with Australia
2003
SA Exports - R5 723 886 000
SA Imports - R6 112 773 000
Balance - R-388 887 000
Total Trade - R11 836 659 000
2004
SA Exports - R7 157 620 000
SA Imports - R7 247 278 000
Balance - R-89 658 000
Total Trade - R14 404 898 000
2005
SA Exports - R9 704 431 000
SA Imports - R7 353 296 000
Balance - R2 351 135 000
Total Trade - R17 057 727 000
Economic relations with Australia are excellent. Australia is South Africa's
third largest partner in Asia, after Japan and the People's Republic of China
(PRC) and South Africa is Australia's biggest trading partner on the African
continent. 50 percent of Australian exports to Africa are earmarked for South
Africa. Access to the Australian market is simplified since the regulatory
institutions are on a par with those in South Africa, i.e. similar legal and
accounting systems, similar banking and business culture, areas of historical
commonality, excellent sporting ties with English the official language.
Similarities in sectors such as the wine industry, mining technology and
equipment and automotive components, to name but a few give, rise to numerous
joint venture/bilateral trade opportunities.
South Africa is Australia's 19th largest trading partner and is by far
Australia's largest and most dynamic market in Africa. In 2004, two-way
merchandise trade was valued at approximately $A2,8 billion. Australian exports
to South Africa were mainly coal, crude petroleum and nickel and South African
exports to Australia were notably passenger motor vehicles (mostly BMW 3 Series
vehicles) worth $A554 million as well as furniture, pig iron, paper and textile
products.
Two-way investment flows between Australia and South Africa has expanded
since the collapse of apartheid. South Africa dominates stocks of African
investment into Australia (currently the 17th largest foreign investor up from
23rd in 1993 - 1994). Australian investment in South Africa has also increased
mainly in mining, mining equipment, agriculture, agribusiness and
infrastructure and services and trade and dominates Australian investment into
Africa. Australia is a big investor in South Africa and the merger in the 1990s
Australian BHP Billiton and South African Gencor, created the largest mining
company in the world. However, South African investment in Australia still
exceeds Australian investment in South Africa by about two to one.
A South African � Australian Joint Ministerial Commission was established on
10 July 1997. The Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) was created to provide a
framework through which to strengthen the bilateral and particularly the
commercial relationship between South Africa and Australia. Issues discussed
included a number of key areas such as co-operation in competition and consumer
policy, standards and conformance, automotive, science and technology, land
care and conservation, agriculture and fisheries, mining, services and
education.
The JMC is an interactive forum in which government and business from the
two countries meet. It is an opportunity for business leaders to meet
government leaders and to interact with colleagues in the business world. It is
also an opportunity to influence the policies of both countries as they relate
to bilateral trade and investment.
Business has an important and active role to play in making the JMC a
success. At the third JMC held in Pretoria in October 2006, the Minister for
Trade Mr Vaile was accompanied by a 28 member strong business delegation.
Ministers considered recommendations from four industry committees: mining and
steel, infrastructure, services and agribusiness; aimed at improving the trade
and investment relationship between Australia and South Africa.
The fourth JMC will be co-chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Trade Mr Vaile and Minister Mpahlwa, the South African Minister of Trade and
Industry.
Areas of mutual sectoral activity (South Africa/Australia), which might at
first glance suggest competitiveness vis-�-vis such third markets, are in fact
areas of complementarities given the demand from high volume markets on
Australia's doorstep.
Numerous high-level South African delegations visit Australia on an ongoing
basis. This growing trend has been reciprocated with an increasing number of
business (investments) to South African missions from Australia to South Africa
and growing interaction in the area of people to people co-operation. The
Australian Capital Territory and the city of Tshwane are in the process of
negotiating a twinning agreement. Several high-level delegations from
parliament, the SANDF, the South African Police Services (SAPS) and provincial
governments visit Australia to gain expertise in their different fields and
exchange knowledge and skills with their Australian counterparts. The Minister
for Minerals and Energy visits Australia at least once a year and so do other
South African Cabinet Ministers.
Multilateral co-operation
South Africa and Australia have a history of productive co-operation across
a range of issues, notably the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Cairns
Group, human rights, fisheries protection, the Commission for Conservation and
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the Kimberley process on conflict
diamonds, law enforcement, defence relations, customs co-operation, the New
World Wine Producers Group and the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional
Co-operation (IOR-ARC). A Joint Ministerial Statement on mutual co-operation on
migration, refugees, irregular migration and people smuggling was issued in
August 2002.
Australia has become home to approximately 100 000 South Africans. They play
a significant part in the Australian economy with many in high-ranking
managerial positions.
Development co-operation
Australia's foreign policy priority leads to it investing substantial
amounts of money into the African region by means of foreign direct investments
as well as overseas development assistance (ODA). South Africa receives
priority when it comes to development co-operation and assistance with
Australia providing approximately R480 million in development assistance to
South Africa since 1994.
Development co-operation between South Africa and Australia is manifested in
a bilateral strategic programme which focuses Australian assistance more
tightly on South Africa and Mozambique in Southern Africa, with Kenya, Tanzania
and Uganda in east Africa benefiting from international and non-governmental
organisation (NGO) programmes. Australia recognises that the success of the
South African economy has critical implications for the success of the economy
of the Southern African region. Australia's Official Development Assistance
(ODA), which forms an integral part of Australia's engagement with developing
countries, is well focused on Africa and illustrates their commitment to assist
developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development.
The Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has responded
to the needs and priorities of South Africa by setting up and funding the
Australia South Africa Institutional Links Programme (South Africa Links).
Through this programme, linkages are set up between Australian and South
African higher education institutions which collaborate on mutually beneficial
activities that address priority issues and increase the capacity of the
development of the country.
Since 1999, AusAID assistance has been aimed primarily at building
partnerships between Australia and South Africa in a way that reduced poverty
and achieved sustainable development with a strong focus on governance issues
and targeted technical assistance.
Australia is continuing to support post-apartheid transformation with an
increased emphasis on governance (particularly in macro-economic and financial
management, legal and judicial systems and broader public sector reform
processes), health (particularly HIV and AIDS), education and food
security.
New Zealand
Prime Minister Helen Clarke is a member of the "progressive governance of
the 21st century" grouping.
South Africa is New Zealand's primary market in sub-Saharan Africa, given
its unique combination of a first-world economic infrastructure and large
emerging market economy. The gradual opening of the South African economy to
international competition and the stable and well managed political and
macro-economic environment is viewed as offering potential investors a
profitable base from which to launch their Southern African operations.
Since 1990, bilateral trade has increased nine-fold to the point where South
Africa is currently New Zealand's 33rd most important export market and 18th
most important source of visitors. In 2004, New Zealand exported goods to the
value of $101,7 million to South Africa and purchased $129,2 million worth of
South African products.
The main exports are milk and cream, cheese, curd and mutton. The major
import is wine.
As a consequence of the developing dairy product market in Southern African
countries, the New Zealand Dairy Board opened an office in Johannesburg in
1992. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has representation in
Johannesburg. A New Zealand-South Africa Business Council has been established
in New Zealand to promote trade and economic linkages with South Africa.
Trade statistics in rand value
Trade with New Zealand
2003
SA Exports - R432 261 000
SA Imports - R486 602 000
Balance - R-54 341 000
Total Trade - R918 863 000
2004
SA Exports - R644 840 000
SA Imports - R545 102 000
Balance - R99 738 000
Total Trade - R1 189 942 000
2005
SA Exports - R661 002 000
SA Imports - R723 496 000
Balance - R-62 494 000
Total Trade - R1 384 498 000
* North Korea
As of this morning there is still no agreement as to whether a nuclear
weapon was tested.
We hope the matter will be resolved speedily.
We are very seriously concerned if a nuclear weapon was tested as we are
opposed to any proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; we also call on
all nuclear states to accept their commitments under the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT). If North Korea has tested a weapon, it will
make it the ninth nuclear State in the world.
We really want all nuclear weapons to be removed from the arsenal of all
nine States. If these tests are confirmed, we believe this will be a serious
blow and will undermine the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
and increase the possibility of an arms race, including nuclear weapons in the
region, which will threaten international peace and security.
We once again call on all parties especially the North Koreans to return to
the 6-Party Talks. We believe this is the only option for discussions during
which all concerns can be tabled, including the fears of North Korea that plans
are being made to invade their country and use nuclear weapons against
them.
The UN discussions have not been conclusive in the last few days and until
last night's session, there had been no progress on the draft resolution that
is being proposed.
We hope that through the UN processes and as the Secretary-General has said,
we can get a resumption of the 6-Party Talks so that we can deal with concerns
and ensure that peace and security is maintained in the region.
* Iran
We have not been informed about the progress regarding the continuing
discussions on the Iranian nuclear issue.
Today in Vienna, representatives of the P5+ Germany are meeting to discuss
progress in this matter. They will report to the Security Council.
Questions and answers
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, regarding Darfur, the government of Sudan
has been accused of being part of the conflict. Why are the UN and the
international community still unable to act without their consent?
Answer: As the Secretary-General has said, blame for the continuing carnage
can be laid on all the signatories and non-signatories to the process. And
according to the UN Charter, you cannot deploy UN forces without the consent of
the host country. This is only possible to protect civilians against genocide.
And therefore, all efforts must continue to convince the government of Sudan
that it is in the interests of all that the AMIS be blue-hatted. Without it
becoming a UN force and the majority of the force can be African, we believe
the technological and financial support and the contribution to the force will
not be forthcoming. If UN forces go without the consent of the government few
countries will be willing to contribute their troops to such a force. Some of
the groups have warned they will declare a war against the UN forces. We hope
the meeting of the Presidents of the region will deal with some of the concerns
of the Sudanese government and help find a solution.
Consultations must continue.
Question: Deputy Minister, how would the South African government react to
the criticism that we have been too soft on the North Korean issue?
Answer: I am not sure why we are accused of being soft on North Korea. We
have consistently stated when we visited North Korea and when their Deputy
Foreign Minister visited South Africa that we are totally opposed to the
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. We listened to their concerns but
reiterated that they should return to the 6-Party Talks.
We expressed our serious concern to reports that the tests have been
undertaken and we will continue to express our concerns.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, what is the most acceptable global response
to the North Korean issue?
Answer: There are two schools of thought emerging at the UN, the
international response, including from those who are opposing Chapter 7
sanctions has been quite strong in expressing deep concern. We would agree with
those views of concern being expressed by the international community for the
reasons I earlier mentioned. It will change the balance of forces and lead to
an escalated arms race and this will threaten the stability of the whole
region, and indeed further afield.
We do hope discussions at the Security Council, we are not yet members of
the Security Council, only the P5 have been meeting, will reach a
consensus.
Clearly if there is a nuclear weapons programme, there will be a strong
demand for Chapter 7 sanctions.
Japan has already imposed its own sanctions. Views of close neighbours
Russia and China must also be taken into account. Both have expressed deep
concerns.
A clear united message must emerge from the Security Council
discussions.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad you mentioned the challenges facing the
World Food Programme, how will South Africa assist?
Answer: We have over the years always contributed to the World Food
Programme. But the extent of the problem necessitates an international
response. We will continue to make our contribution and see what other measures
can be adopted to assist the region. This may be a short term solution but we
have been arguing for long-term solutions, given climate change and its
implications. We are through the Southern African Development Community (SADC),
looking for a long-term solution. This is now too big a problem.
We will ask our relevant cluster committees to assess this report more fully
and to come up with a comprehensive response.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, does South Africa support sanctions against
North Korea?
Answer: If Chapter 7 sanctions are being imposed, we will have no choice but
to comply. We will have no alternative if Chapter 7 sanctions are agreed to by
the P5 and accepted by the Security Council.
We have no real economic, technological or scientific relations with North
Korea so this will have to be a matter that is decided by the P5. We would have
no alternative but to implement the decisions of the Security Council.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, President Mbeki suggested that we would
support India at the nuclear suppliers meeting. Can you comment on this?
Answer: Our representatives in Geneva and UN are looking at the implications
of the deal between India and the United States of America (USA). These
discussions have not been completed. President Mbeki has indicated that within
the context of a USA - India deal, as a member of the nuclear suppliers group,
we would support the programme for peaceful purposes of India's technology and
other material that is prohibited under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for countries who are not members.
The President has indicated that we look at this favourably. This was based on
the explanations and assurances given to us by the Indian government. We will
look at the details after the India-USA discussions are concluded and determine
our position based on our discussions with the various role players.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 October 2006
