briefing on international issues
18 July 2006
Condolences to Indonesia
South African President Thabo Mbeki today Tuesday, 18 July 2006 extended the
condolences of the South African government and people to his Indonesian
counterpart President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono following the earthquake and
subsequent tsunami south of Java island in Indonesia on Monday, 17 July
2006.
In a message of support to President Yudhoyono, President Mbeki said,
"Please accept the heartfelt condolences of the South African government and
people following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami south of Java island on
Monday, 17 July 2006 in which hundreds are reported to have died, scores
injured and dispossessed and infrastructure destroyed."
"The thoughts and prayers of the South African government and people are
with the government and people of Indonesia. In this moment of devastation and
bereavement, we offer our condolences to those who have lost loved ones and
wish those wounded a speedy recovery."
"The South African government stands ready to assist the government and
people of Indonesia at this time of national mourning," concluded President
Thabo Mbeki.
Birthday greetings to former President Mandela
Let me take this opportunity to extend, from you all, birthday greetings for
former President Nelson Mandela who turns 88 years old today.
Middle East
Let me again deal with the issue of the Middle East.
Despite statements by the G-8, the European Union, the extra-ordinary Arab
League Ministerial, a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council,
the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate.
The Israeli military yesterday launched 50 air strikes that resulted in the
deaths of many and the destruction of much of Lebanon's infrastructure. The
airport has now been destroyed, the ports are inaccessible.
The Lebanese Foreign Minister is quoted as saying, "The gates of hell have
been opened."
The South African government does not accept this principle of "collective
punishment". We do not believe that an entire nation can be attacked because of
tensions with Hizbollah. We cannot accept such actions from one of the
strongest military powers in the region. The South African government hopes
that the international community can begin to act more decisively to end the
situation.
As Israeli attacks increase, so to does activity by Hizbollah. And as you
are aware, Hizbollah has announced that they have many more secret weapons in
their arsenal.
The South African government is, of course, very concerned about the plight
of South Africans in the region. We are negotiating with some of our European
partners regarding their evacuation. Our ambassador to Syria has assisted some
South Africans to reach Syria. Road evacuations are becoming increasingly
difficult due to the continued Israeli attacks. We hope that the ships that are
being sent by some of the bigger countries will be able to assist some of the
20 estimated South Africans still in Lebanon. We again encourage South Africans
in the region and/or Lebanon to register their presence with the nearest South
African embassy.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
We are now very close to the elections - a few weeks away - as I have said
before, these elections are extremely vital to the country and their outcomes
will be decisive for the people of the DRC, Southern African Development
Comminuty (SADC) and Africa. As I have also said before, these are the first
elections in the country in over 40 years during which there has been a very
corrupt regime in place. It is because of the significance of these elections
for the people of the DRC and the country as a whole that the African Union
(AU), SADC and the international community have invested so much in ensuring
the elections are indeed held successfully.
As you know, I have just returned from the DRC where, as part of a SADC
delegation of foreign and defence ministers, we evaluated preparations for the
elections to be held later this month and encouraged the political leadership
and the people of the DRC to pursue the path towards peaceful, credible, and
transparent elections that should reflect the will of the people.
The delegation held meetings with the Government of the DRC, the Chairperson
of the Independent Electoral Commission, the Special Representative of the
Secretary General of the United Nations and the head of MONUC (the United
Nations Organisation Mission in the DRC), Ambassador Swing, representatives of
civil society and some presidential candidates.
Based on our discussions and observations we came to the conclusion that
despite numerous challenges, inter alia, the logistical difficulties, this
being the largest country in Africa with the largest electorate, and no
experience in the holding of elections, that the people of the DRC were eagerly
desirous and ready for democratic elections for which they have waited for over
40 years.
The delegation also noted that despite the short period before the
elections, there was a need to intensify voter education and to disseminate
more information on the electoral process throughout the country.
The delegation further noted that incidents of insecurity in some parts of
the country were receiving attention and they would not undermine the electoral
process. MONUC assured us that security in the eastern DRC was being addressed
and that security would prevail and that the elections would proceed.
SADC will remain seized with the matter and this is evidenced by the fact
that it will deploy the largest observer mission in its history - 200
observers. South Africa will have an observer team of 128 that will be led by
Minister Nqakula. The European Union is deploying a team as well as many other
NGOs.
The SADC delegation in our consultations appealed to all the candidates to
accept the outcomes of the elections especially if they were declared free and
fair by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The South African Air Force has now delivered the last of the remaining
ballot papers to Kinshasa and this has successfully brought an end to the
conclusion of its mandate. We are grateful that the South African Air Force has
ensured that the ballot papers could be delivered within sufficient timeframes
to allow the electoral processes to prevail.
Côte d'Ivoire
Minister Dlamini Zuma, will upon conclusion of the G-8 Summit, attend the
9th session of the International Working Group meeting on Cote d'Ivoire in
Abidjan on Saturday, 22 July 2006.
As you know, this session follows discussions between the United Nations
Secretary General, President Olusegan Obasanjo, President Thabo Mbeki and other
political role-players in Yamassoukro on 5 July 2006.
At this time, extensive discussions were held regarding the political
process and preparations leading up to the elections. We received a renewed
commitment from the parties to deal with the two outstanding issues - the DDR
process and the national identification process. This meeting also comes at a
very important time because of the preparations for elections later this
year.
The National Identification Process was launched on 13 July 2006. Regarding
the dismantling of the militias and the DDR, dates for implementation are as
follows:
* Sensitisation of combatants and the community to take place between
18& 20 July 2006.
* Ceremony for the commencement of Dismantling and Disarmament (DD) of the
Militia will take place on 24 July 2006.
* Following which will be the beginning of Dismantling and Disarmament of
the militia on 25 July 2006.
* The cut-off date of the DD has been extended from 31 July 2006 to 7 August
2006.
* The two Chiefs of Staff continue their discussions.
* We hope the DDR process will be accelerated.
* The United Nations Secretary-General, based on his discussions, said that
the overall electoral process should be reviewed and a decision on the date for
the elections will be taken at the September meeting.
Iran
Minister Dlamini Zuma last week held discussions with her Iranian
counterpart and the Chief negotiator, Mr Larijani in Tehran.
Based on these discussions, President Mbeki was able to brief the G-8 as
follows: "We have in our interactions with the G-8 communicated the essential
message from the Iranians. It is that they believe this proposal (P5 + Germany
package) is important as it constitutes an important starting point with regard
to the negotiating process, which everybody agrees needs to take place, and
therefore that they are considering the matter seriously.
This package has extensive economic incentives and a provision for the
United States to offer Iran some nuclear technology, lift some sanctions and
join direct negotiations.
The key demand is that Iran stop enriching uranium during any
negotiations.
Iran has indicated that based on these new proposals, it is ready to negotiate.
The P5 + Germany has already tabled a resolution with the Security Council - it
is asking that Iran comply with article 41 - otherwise sanctions measures are
to be taken under article 41, Chapter 7. If Iran complies with the request to
stop nuclear enrichment, no further action will be taken.
Democratic Peopleâs Republic of Korea (North Korea)
As you know, when my colleague from the Democratic Peopleâs Republic of
Korea (DPRK) was here recently, we urged them to exercise caution, and not
launch any other missiles and to return to the Six-Party Talks to seek a
solution.
Since then Resolution 1695 has been put to the United Nations Security
Council.
The resolution does not contain a reference to Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
The resolution does however condemn the multiple ballistic missile tests
carried out by the DPRK and demands that the country suspend all related
activities. The resolution also requires that all states prevent the import or
export of funds or goods that could fuel Pyongyang's missile or weapons of mass
destruction programmes. We will study this resolution to understand the
implications for South Africa.
The resolution expresses concern for the withdrawal of the DPRK from the
Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and its stated pursuit of
atomic arms in spite of its obligations under the NPT and the International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
The DPRK was strongly urged to return immediately to the Six-Party Talks
without precondition, to work towards the expeditious implementation of a
September 2005 Joint Statement, "in particular to abandon all nuclear weapons
and existing nuclear programmes" and to return to the NPT and IAEA
safeguards.
The Resolution also calls for the early resumption of the Six-Party Talks,
and urged all the participants to intensify their efforts on the full
implementation of the Joint Statement with a view to achieving the verifiable
denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner and to
maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in north-east
Asia.
North Korea rejects this resolution and maintains that this exercise was its
legitimate right, as part of its routine military exercises.
Burundi
* The Facilitator, Minister Nqakula is again in Tanzania in an attempt to
seek conclusion to the matter of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement.
* The Facilitator has compiled a ceasefire agreement taking into account
comments from both sides.
* This redrafted document has been presented to both sides for their
comment.
* We are optimistic that the matter of the ceasefire will be concluded
soon.
Questions and answers
Question
Deputy Minister Pahad, does the Iranian response to the proposal by the P5 +
Germany indicate they are ready to consider a permanent cessation of their
nuclear enrichment activities or is this just a stalling tactic?
Answer
This is the first time that the Iranians have responded positively to a
proposal. Based on our analysis, we realise that this proposal has far-reaching
consequences. This is also a very complex, dynamic process. The date of 26
August for response by the Iranians cannot be considered a delaying tactic.
Question
Deputy Minister, which are the countries to which you have said requests have
been made to assist South Africans in Lebanon. Is it the British - they
yesterday said that requests have been made by some Commonwealth countries to
assist in the evacuation of nationals? The Beeld yesterday quoted the First
Secretary in Syria saying there are more than 20 South Africans in Lebanon -
what is your comment?
Answer
We have requested assistance from the British and the French.
As for your other question, this is precisely the situation in which we find
ourselves - Lebanon is a very popular destination for South Africans. Indeed,
we have many Lebanese of South African descent in South Africa. Also, South
Africans don't always inform Embassies of their presence in the country. And to
compound the situation, we do not have an Embassy in Lebanon. The Embassy is
Syria is trying to assist.
I again appeal to South Africans to contact our Syrian Embassy if you are in
the region - if we are not aware of you, you cannot be part of any evacuation
process that may be undertaken.
Question
Deputy Minister Pahad, what were some of the key G-8 outcomes for Africa?
Answer
The South African delegation to the G-8 will only return today. We will do a
fuller briefing on this matter next week. All the immediate indications are
that the outcomes of this session of the G-8 were quite positive - the voice of
Africa has been heard. There is also optimism regarding the World Trade
Organisation Talks - it was a good opportunity for Heads of State to discuss
the position of Brazil and India regarding Non Agricultural Market Access
(NAMA) concessions.
Question
Deputy Minister Pahad, Brazil has indicated that it could suggest to its
negotiators to be more flexible. Does this suggest a G-5 position?
Answer
If we look at the G-20 position - the key issues are the agricultural subsidies
and tariff issues. There is a demand for the developing countries to concede to
Non Agricultural Market Access. The countries most affected by this are Brazil
and India. The G-8 meeting would have provided a good opportunity for the Heads
of State to discuss this matter. As I said last week, the failure of these
talks will threaten the entire international trading system.
Question
Deputy Minister Pahad, given Minister Nqakula's involvement in the situation,
is he the best person to lead the South African Observer Mission to the
DRC?
Answer
Minister Nqakula has a lot of experience, he is a senior member of Cabinet, he
is involved with the training of police in the DRC and has good links with the
military. Being the head of the Mission does not mean he has to be permanently
based in the DRC - he can continue his work in South Africa and return to the
DRC as required. He will also be supported by Minister Lekota from time to
time.
Question
Deputy Minister Pahad, can you please clarify whether the AU Report on Zimbabwe
was accepted at the Summit in Banjul?
Answer
The Charter in the main has been accepted. It is either clause 255 or 355 that
deals with changes in the constitution that was referred back to the
Secretariat for rewording. The Human Rights report has also been accepted in
the main, except for the part dealing with Zimbabwe. The Zimbabweans have
requested more time to deal with these matters.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
18 July 2006
