A Pahad: Briefing notes on international affairs

24 August 2006

Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

* All the observers have noted that given the challenges in the DRC and
despite some irregularities, there have been no signs of massive fraud and the
polls were free and fair.

* There have been some complaints; these can be dealt with through the
Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

* Before the announcement of the provisional election results were made
there were incidents of violence in Kinshasa.

* As you know President Joseph Kabila acquired 44,81 percent of the vote
while Vice President Jean Pierre Bemba received 20,03 percent and Mr Antoine
Gizenga acquired 13,06 percent. None of the Presidential candidates obtained
more than 51 percent in the first round. Consequently the presidential second
round has been scheduled for 29 October 2006. The second round of the
presidential elections will run concurrently wit the provincial elections. The
final results for the first round of presidential elections are expected on 30
August 2006 after the Supreme Court has received objections and verified the
provisional results.

* While ambassadors forming part of the International Committee in Support
of the Transition (CIAT) were meeting with Vice President Bemba to discuss the
violence, the home in which they were meeting was attacked with heavy artillery
and machine gun fire.

* Contrary to reports received, the ambassador was not at this meeting he
was already at the airport preparing to return to South Africa for
consultations. Our Deputy Head of Mission Kenny Pedro was attending the
meeting.

* CIAT held urgent meetings with the Head of State and Vice-President Bemba
on 21 and 22 August. During these meetings it was decided to establish a
working group with as aim the normalisation of the situation as soon as
possible. This group is composed of the Minister of Defence, the Chief of the
Defence Force of the Forces Armees de la Republic Democratic du Congo (FARDC),
the Inspector-General of the National Police, the Commander of the Republican
Guard, the Military Counsellor of the President, officers of the guard of
Vice-President Bemba of European Union Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR),
European Union Police Mission (EUPOL) and United Nations Mission in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

* The working group also decided on the following actions with immediate
effect:

* the consigning of all FARDC troops deployed in the capital to their
initial positions in view of re-establishing the status quo ante

* the establishment of two mixed verification teams to ensure the
implementation of the consignment by all units

* the National Congolese Police solely responsible for public order will
resume as from tonight its patrols in the city together with MONUC, EUFOR and
EUPOL

* each of the parties committed themselves to scrupulously respect these
measures

* at this stage at least 25 people are reported killed

* South African embassy staff are safe and under the protection of the South
African National Defence Force (SANDF) special force. If the situation
deteriorates, evacuation will have to be considered.

* This violence has been unnecessary and could indeed have disrupted the
entire process. It could also have an impact on preparations for the second
round of voting. The working group that has been established will therefore
have a very important role to play.

* The Security Council: they expressed their serious concern about the
violent clashes between armed elements that have taken place in Kinshasa on 20
and 21 August 2006. They demanded that the Congolese political leadership
exercise restraint and immediately implement the ceasefire agreed between their
forces and henceforth refrain from any threats or use of force or intimidation
against political opponents or their supporters. They emphasised that there can
be no military solution to political issues in the DRC and urged all parties to
take immediate steps to support the democratic process that is underway. They
called on the Congolese leadership not to allow the progress made by the people
of the DRC to be jeopardised at this stage.

They expressed appreciation for the effective operation of EUFOR DRC in
support of the MONUC. They renewed their support for the International
Committee in Support of the Transition (CIAT) and for MONUC and condemned any
action threatening their security.

* There is some concern regarding the possibility of continued fighting. We
therefore call on the European forces and the international community to
continue to support the political processes.

* The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has already gone on tender for
the printing of the second round presidential as well as the provincial
ballots. It is envisaged that the printing of the ballots will start from 1 to
10 September with delivery by the SANDF to the 14 hubs starting 15 September
till 2 October to allow internal distribution in time for the date of 29
October election. We will be recommending to the government to send observers
for the second round as we did for the first round.

* The South African government will also continue its co-operation with the
government of the DRC through the Bilateral Commission that is already in
place. Such co-operation entails security sector reform including the
integration and demobilisation of the armed forces and police training,
training of immigration officials, the development of a population register,
the registration of public servants, a census of public servants, development
of an organic law for provincial and local governance and encouraging
investment in the DRC.

Cóte d'Ivoire

There are continuing tensions relating to:

* suspension of the audience foraines

* the issuance and delivery of the national citizenship certificates

* the Presidential decree changing some of the magistrates who were to
participate in the audience foraines

* the guidelines on the audience foraines published by the Prime Minister's
office

* some parties are also arguing that the army must be reformed before the
peace process can move forward

* some issues raised are technical and deal with the processes in which the
Prime Minister (PM) has said are manageable

* the PM explained that he will be implementing the audience foraines
according to the guidelines issued. The issues rose about the audience foraines
and national identification can be managed without stalling the peace
process

* there is also the matter that the whole country is not fully under the
control of the government, the North is still governed by Forces Nouvelles.

Sudan

* As you are aware, the African Union (AU) has requested that the African
Mission in Sudan (AMIS) be replaced by United Nations (UN) forces. The
government of Sudan has not accepted this proposal.

* The British and United States (US) have proposed a draft resolution for
the Security Council. This was rejected by the Arab League Foreign Ministers
meeting in Cairo on 20 August 2006. The meeting called on the Security Council
to postpone the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting to allow time
for consultation and co-ordination between regional organisations on the role
of the AU forces in Darfur.

* The meeting also requested that the Security Council meeting be closed to
allow all participants to speak frankly.

* The Arab League Foreign Ministers have also urged Arab countries to fund
the Antlanta Ministry with International Students (AMIS) which they have agreed
to do for six months from 1 October 2006.

Middle East

* We remain very concerned regarding the situation in the Middle East.

* The security situation in Gaza is also deteriorating especially with the
arrests of the Secretary of the Palestinian Legislative Council Dr Mahmoud
Al-Ramahi and the Deputy Prime Minister Nasser Eddin Shaer.

* These arrests are added to the arrests of the eight Ministers and 62 Hamas
leaders including 20 legislators since 29 June 2006.

* These arrests are impacting negatively on President Abbas's efforts to
form a coalition government.

* We believe the situation requires urgent attention.

Lebanon

* The South African government along with others welcomed the adoption of
Resolution 1 701 despite some reservations by countries.

* However, the resolution has been adopted and must now be implemented.

* Our concern is that it took five weeks of intense fighting and destruction
for the Security Council to act on this situation. This is of great concern
especially since this is the body charged with ensuring and protecting global
peace and security.

* The UNSC has expressed concerns about Israel's violations of the
resolution including the attack on Bekaa Valley at the weekend and now the
violation of Lebanese air space.

* There are delays in putting together an international peace keeping force
to ensure the resolution is implemented.

* The ceasefire is fragile and we face a very dangerous situation. If
violence breaks out again it could lead to a regional conflict threatening
international peace and security.

* It is vital we find a long term, comprehensive solution for the whole
region.

* The Palestinian and Israeli situation is the main cause of the tension in
the region.

* The quartet and the international community have not acted as decisively
as they should have. The dangerous situation demands that they accept their
responsibilities and urgently complete the Roadmap.

Iran

* As you know Iran has now responded the proposal of the Group of five (G5)
plus Germany. We have not seen their submission and can therefore not comment
on it at this stage.

* The UNSC deadline is later this month. This deadline will be preceded by a
report of the Secretary-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) so it will become evident if the IAEA process is moving forward.

* We will study the submission by Iran when we receive it and make the
position of the South African government available.

South Africa - Rwanda Joint Co-operation Committee (JCC)

* Minister Dlamini Zuma will depart for Rwanda early next week where she
will co-chair the fourth session of the South Africa - Rwanda Joint
Co-operation Committee in Kigali from Tuesday - Wednesday, 29 - 30 August
2006.

* This is a very important meeting since it impacts on our bilateral
political relations.

* Our economic bilateral relations have been steadily increasing but there
is greater potential for growth.

* This meeting will also give both Ministers an opportunity to discuss
political developments, Rwanda is key to the situation in the DRC.

* Discussions will therefore also look at how the people of the DRC can be
assisted to move forward.

* We have noted that none of the post-election violence has been
orchestrated by the people of the DRC, the people have spoken and the leaders
must rise to the challenge being put forward.

Belarus

* Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will host her Belarussian
counterpart for bilateral political and economic discussions in Pretoria on
Monday, 28 August 2006.

* Minister Dlamini Zuma will host Minister Martynov within the context of
South Africa's priority to promote bilateral political, economic and trade
relations with countries of the world with a view to ensuring a faster and
shared economic growth in South Africa.

* Issues of the agenda of discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and
Martynov on Monday, 28 August 2006, are expected to include among others:

- the status of bilateral political and economic relations between the two
countries

- a brief by Minister Dlamini Zuma regarding developments in the region
including the outcomes of the South Africa’s Development Community (SADC)
Summit

- democracy building, good governance, peacekeeping and conflict resolution
in Africa including post-election DRC, Cote d'Ivoire, Sudan and Burundi

- developments in eastern Europe

- the Middle East conflict

- other issues of global interest including UNSC reform.

Questions and answers

Question:

Deputy Minister Pahad, have you as yet met with representatives of the
British government regarding the Anti-Mercenary Bill. This bill has now been
delayed in parliament; does this mean there is room for amendments?

Answer:

As you may know the Minister without Portfolio and the Chairperson of the
British Labour Party were in South Africa last week. We did have discussions
with them on this issue.

There were also meetings with the ANC and this matter was also
discussed.

Question:

Deputy Minister, did the South African government find their views
persuasive?

Answer:

I am not able to respond to that; suffice to say we took note of their
concerns.

These discussions were confidential.

Question:

Deputy Minister Pahad, can you give us more information on President Putin's
visit to South Africa?

Answer:

I will do a fuller briefing on this next week.

However, President Putin will be in South Africa at a very crucial time, the
matter of Iran, the Middle East, the African challenges will all be looked at
during discussions with President Mbeki.

Question:

Deputy Minister Pahad, you mentioned that there are problems with the
assembly of an international peacekeeping force for Lebanon, will South Africa
be looking at assisting with this?

Answer:

We have not at this stage had any discussions to support from sub-Saharan
African countries. Israel has already said it will not accept troops from
certain countries.

As I have already said, the situation is becoming increasingly dangerous and
extremely fragile. We urge the UN to move more decisively in this situation.
The troops that have been promised should be forthcoming and the force must be
operationalised as soon as possible.

Question:

Deputy Minister Pahad, has the South African government worked out by whom
the conflict in the DRC was instigated?

Answer

It is very difficult at this stage to work out by whom the conflict was
instigated, it’s like the chicken and egg story. It is our own view that
although there have been serious clashes both sides have now committed
themselves to working with the working group to normalise the situation and we
must concentrate on this.

Our objective should now be to ensure the second round of elections happens
as planned.

Question:

Deputy Minister Pahad, Foreign Minister Dlamini Zuma on Tuesday this week
said the offer by the G5+1 to Iran was definitely the basis for discussion and
negotiation. Does the South African government consider this proposal a serious
offer for negotiations?

Answer:

The Minister is indeed correct that this offer could be basis of serious
negotiation. The debate is now: will Iran denounce its nuclear programme before
negotiations can commence?

The Minister also reiterated South Africa's position: all signatories to the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NNPT) have the right to use nuclear energy
for peaceful purposes; the Iranian government consistently argues it is
cultivating its technology for peaceful purposes.

Clearly what is needed is more serious dialogue on this matter.

China and Russia have made statements that they hope this situation can be
resolved through negotiations. It seems that Russia and China are also not in
favour of premature Security Council sanctions.

We are also awaiting the IAEA report which will be released just before the
Security Council meeting to see what progress has been made in terms of the
IAEA processes.

Question:

Deputy Minister Pahad, regarding Zimbabwe, was any progress made at the
Southern African Community Development (SADC) Summit?

Answer:

It was a closed meeting attended by Heads of State and their Foreign
Ministers. The agenda looked at the economic situation in Zimbabwe and
Swaziland. We expect to be briefed soon and depending on the nature of that
briefing, we may make the information available at next week's briefing.

As you know, former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa has been appointed
the special envoy dealing with this situation. The UN Secretary-General has
also withdraw from the situation in favour of former President Mkapa.

There is also a SADC process which is separate to this process.

Question:

Deputy Minister Pahad, what did you mean when you said you had concerns
about the situation in the Middle East?

Answer:

If our view is correct and I'm sure it is, it will not be possible to have a
comprehensive solution to conflicts and improved government-to-government
relations in the Middle East unless the Israel-Palestinian situation is
addressed.

Unless there can be a united Palestinian government based on the prisons
document that has been unanimously adopted by all parties and which opens up
the possibility for negotiations based on the Oslo Agreement, the Arab League
Plan of 2002 and UN resolutions and makes provision for an independent viable
state of Palestine and Israel existing side-by-side within secure borders and
improved relations between Israel and its neighbours. If the roadmap is not
operationalised, the situation will become very dire and indeed dangerous.

The special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General has said
the situation is worse than it ever has been.

The international community now has the obligation to act more decisively in
creating the basis for this situation to be resolved. The two-state solution
must be the centre of these efforts.

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
24 August 2006
Source: SAPA