Centre Amphitheatre, Union Buildings, Tshwane, South Africa
8 August 2006
Sri Lankan Conflict
* Let me begin by condemning the murders of 17 aid workers from a French aid
group Action Contre La Faim (ACF) -- Action against Hunger, in English -- in
the north-eastern town of Mutur where they were working on rebuilding after the
2004 tsunami.
* It is really tragic that people working to improve the quality of lives of
others are so brutally killed.
* The South African government encourages all parties to return to the 2002
ceasefire which was being implemented for some time. We are now, however, again
seeing a spate of attacks in which civilians are increasingly being
targeted.
* The only solution is a negotiated solution in the interests of the Sri Lankan
people.
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
* As you all know, the elections have now taken place.
* These were the first democratic elections in over four decades since that
country got independence on 30 June 1960.
* Close to 25 million out of the targeted 28 million eligible voters,
registered for these elections.
* In total, close to 270 parties registered for the elections. There were 33
presidential candidates. There were 9 632 candidates for the 500-seat national
assembly.
* South Africa decided to deploy a 108-member national observer mission to
observe the elections. The South African Observer Mission of 108 members has
gained much respect from many of those involved in these elections. Many have
indicated their satisfaction with the way in which the South African observers
conducted themselves.
* The South African Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) at the behest of
their DRC counterparts also sent about 128 information technology experts and
logisticians, to render support to the DRC IEC in the designated 64
centres.
* The main contingent of the Observer Mission returned to South Africa on 4
August 2006, while a skeleton staff of 14 remained in Kinshasa to observe the
counting process.
* All indications are that the voting proceeded smoothly and now the counting
process is proceeding smoothly.
* President Thabo Mbeki has already congratulated the people of the DRC on the
holding of successful elections.
* The South African Observer Mission report confirms the reports of many of the
other observer mission, i.e. in view of the infrastructure challenges, as well
as the complexity of the ballot papers for an electorate that has not voted for
over forty years, the DRC elections were a success.
* The Security Council Presidential statement paid tribute to the people of the
DRC. The statement looks forward to the announcement of the results by the
Independent Electoral Commission, and appeals to all the Congolese parties and
candidates to respect the outcome in a spirit of peace and
reconciliation.
* In addition, the Congolese people continue to face major challenges,
including political and economic reforms, national reconciliation, good
governance, and reconstruction and development. The United Nations remains
deeply committed to supporting them in their efforts to build lasting peace and
democracy.
* Thus far, there is an acceptance by all role-players that the processes have
been free and reflect the will of the people of the DRC.
* In the aftermath of these elections, the DRC IEC also issued a provisional
electoral timetable including the following important dates:
* 20 August - announcement of the provisional presidential election
results
* 30 August - announcement of the final presidential election results.
* 15 September - announcement of the final legislative results.
* 19 September - first meeting of the National Assembly.
* We are encouraged by the fact that the latest reports show great progress
is being made in the capturing of results.
* Latest indications are that at least by Friday, 11 August, the capturing of
the presidential results will be completed.
* We were hoping that the IEC would be releasing results as they are available
provincially but this is not yet underway.
* We are also happy that some results centres have already started capturing
the legislative results. The process of capturing of the legislative results is
expected to take a longer time then compared to the processing of the
presidential results.
* All indications are that things have proceeded more smoothly than
expected.
* We again congratulate the Congolese people for their achievement in this
regard.
* We have also noted sporadic outbreaks of violence. The United Nation troop
Commander in the area has indicated that the skirmish was a misunderstanding,
and has been contained. Two rebel groups had indicated that they were prepared
to surrender arms and present themselves for integration into the FARDC (Forces
Armées de la Republic Democratic du Congo / Armed Forces of DRC), subject to
certain conditions. Rebels consciously or unconsciously do not appear to have
disrupted the elections in the region. If the peaceful situation holds, and
more rebels disarm, it would give the new government space to begin focussing
on the task of reconstruction and development.
* It is now imperative that the DDR (Disarmament, Demobilisation, and
Reintegration) process must continue and that reconstruction and development
must commence.
Côte dâIvoire
* As you know, the last International Working Group meeting on Côte dâIvoire
took place on 20 July 2006 and was attended by Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma.
* The Group acknowledged the announcement that was made by the Prime Minister
on the achievement of the Pre-regrouping of the Defence and Security Forces of
Côte D'Ivoire (FDSCI) and the Armed Forces of the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN). It
was also noted that this was a pre-cursor to the DDR process that has begun and
the disarming of the militia.
* Following unrest on the 17-19 July 2006, the Mediator thought it prudent that
Minister of Defence Mosioua Lekota and I visit Côte dâIvoire on 1 August 2006
to understand from all role-players what their concerns were and to see how we
could assist the processes.
* We had extensive discussions with the President, Prime Minister and the
leadership of the FPI (Le Front Populaire Ivoirien / Ivorian Popular
Front).
* We received a clear brief from our interlocutors regarding the progress made
and the challenges.
* The opposition party did not meet with us for various reasons.
* There have been some very positive developments since our visit.
* The Prime Minister has produced a document that has been made available to
all role-players.
* The FDI has therefore committed itself to participating in the public
hearings.
* Four youth leaders have committed themselves to not use force.
* All rural and peri-rural areas will receive briefings on the DDR
process.
* All parties are now actively involved in the political campaigning
process.
* We believe we have now overcome one further obstacle towards the holding of
free and fair elections and will remain seized with the matter.
Sudan
* The African Union Peace and Security Council indicated that the African
Mission in Sudan (AMIS) would end in September 2006 because of lack of
resources. After the intervention of the United Nations Secretary-General the
African Union agreed to extend ⦠its mandate until the end of the year, if the
necessary funds were made available.
* The Donorâs Conference in July raised US$220 million.
* However, all donors have insisted that the AMIS must be converted to a United
Nations (UN) force by 1 January 2007.
* The Secretary-General has said that the United Nations has no hidden agenda
in Sudan. He has said that the majority of the UN forces will come from Africa
and will come not as occupiers but as helpers.
* We hope that the Secretary-General can convince the Sudanese government of
this.
Burundi
* As you know, the Facilitator was in the region last week where he held
extensive discussions.
* A Summit will be convened in Tanzania on 30 August 2006.
* There has been good progress but there are still some outstanding problems.
As you know minor outstanding issues in this region can become major issues. We
expect that the Summit will deal with these issues.
* There have, on the whole, been some good developments in the Great Lakes
region. Should this region achieve peace and stability, it will contribute
greatly to peace and stability in Africa as a whole.
Middle East
* This continues to be the greatest challenge facing humanity at this
time.
* For a number of weeks, the violence and carnage in Lebanon and Gaza have
continued unabated.
* The situation is becoming increasingly unbearable for the people of these
countries.
* Many aid agencies are predicting dire humanitarian consequences.
* Almost all of Gaza has been destroyed. A great humanitarian tragedy is
unfolding.
* Israeli military actions in Gaza are merely serving to create more hatred in
the region.
* The Deputy Speaker of the PNA (Palestinian National Authority) was arrested
yesterday.
* Humanitarian aid has been waiting at the border for five days before it was
finally cleared. And due to the sun and weather most of the food aid has been
spoilt.
* The crossing between Gaza and Egypt is almost constantly closed.
* The situation in Lebanon has been diverting attention from the situation in
Palestine for the last few weeks. We must however continue to advocate for a
two-state solution to the situation between Israel and Palestine. This remains
the core issue for all other tensions in the region.
* 85% of Lebanese infrastructure has been destroyed; a thousand people, mainly
women and children have been killed; there are 1 million internally displaced
people in Lebanon; the rockets from Hizbollah continue to be launched at over
100 a day - Hizbollahâs capacity to retaliate has not been reduced in any way.
The greatest victims are civilians, mostly children, women and the
elderly.
* Human Rights Watch, an American NGO (non-governmental organisation), has
indicated that massive human rights violations are being committed by the
Israelis in Lebanon and the Gaza.
* Amnesty International has also indicated that the recent actions by Israel
amount to violations of international human rights and are war crimes.
* These comments are being made by international human rights NGOs, not Iran or
Syria.
* The United Nations Secretary General also continues to express his concerns.
While he does not debate Israelâs right to defend itself, it is the manner and
intensity of that defence that is being questioned. The Secretary-General has
called for an immediate ceasefire.
* The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Lebanon, David Shearer, called
on the Israeli Defence Forces to end its attacks on civilian infrastructure and
to cease all actions hindering the supply of humanitarian relief supplies to
the hundreds of thousands of displaced people across the country. âAttacks
close to our convoys, could very well prevent us from continuing our
humanitarian relief efforts, as many truck drivers are no longer willing to
risk their lives,â Shearer said. He said that the United Nations deplores the
continuation of Israeli bombardment of civilian infrastructure in Lebanon and
also condemns the continuing rocket attacks by Hezbollah against civilian
targets in Israel.
* World peace and security is being seriously threatened by this situation - a
regional war is becoming a reality.
* Of particular concern are the statements by almost every Arab leader - the
latest being those by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria - warning of the
potentially serious situation that threatens to engulf the region.
* The Arab streets are seething - people are seeing their governments as being
unable to respond to what is happening.
* It is increasingly vital that the United Nations Security Council takes
immediate action.
* We have noted the draft resolution and comments in this regard. Unless there
are major amendments to this, this resolution will not be supported by all the
parties.
* This is not the time for ceremonial actions; this is the time to show
leadership in the interests of preserving peace and security.
* President Mbeki yesterday received a letter from the Prime Minister of
Lebanon requesting that South Africa lend political assistance towards their
seven point plan. The Lebanese PM also requested humanitarian assistance. After
the President has studied the letter and had consultations, we will respond to
this letter. We continue to warn that we are at a very dangerous
crossroads.
* The South African government will continue to do what it can to support the
process and to ensure the Security Council acts more decisively than it has for
the last few weeks.
Questions and answers
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, what is your position on the holding of
elections in Côte dâIvoire by 30 October 2006?
Answer: We are all committed to working towards this deadline of 30 October
2006. The United Nations Secretary-General has indicated that there will be a
meeting on the fringes of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2006
during which a better sense of preparations for elections will be received. He
will also have received a report from the IEC and will decide on how to
proceed. The IWG (International Working Group) is a very active forum in Côte
dâIvoire - it consists of representatives of the United Nations, the African
Union, the European Union, International Monetary Fund, etc - all these
institutions will make presentations to the Secretary-Generalâs September
meeting.
Question: Deputy Minister, is it a matter of concern for you that the
members of the opposition in Côte dâIvoire did not meet with you?
Answer: We do not know why the opposition did not meet with us. We did,
however, receive a message that they had been informed too late of our arrival
and were therefore not available to meet us. We understand their position. Our
mandate in Côte dâIvoire was not to meet with all role-players and to
understand their concerns and how we could assist implement the processes. We
believe that since then, the Prime Minister has dealt with some of the major
issues. The question of South African troops not being allowed into rebel areas
is also being addressed so that the Mediator can receive immediate, on the
ground reports when required.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, what is South Africaâs position on the
attempted coup in Burundi and reports of South African involvement?
Answer: We are seeking more information on allegations of a coup in Burundi.
To date we have had no reports of the involvement of South African intelligence
sources in any such attempted coup. We do not believe issues in Burundi are
very serious. Our own view is that the process towards peace and security
cannot be halted. Should the allegations of a coup prove to be real then it is
the mandate of the African Union Peace and Security Council to deal with the
matter. It is also their responsibility to protect the integrity of
legitimately elected governments as determined by the Constitutive Act. Africa
will not tolerate any coups.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, how do you think South Africa can further
assist Lebanon in terms of the Prime Ministerâs letter to President Mbeki?
Answer: President Mbeki should have already received the letter from the
Prime Minister. The Lebanese are requesting support for their seven-point
programme which we are doing anyway. The President will, however, look at the
letter and after consultations determine how we can make a greater contribution
to end the violence and create conditions towards a long-term solution.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, do you have a message for the people of
Cuba following the illness of President Castro?
Answer: Of course South Africa is concerned about the health of President
Castro - Iâm sure we must have sent a letter wishing him a speedy recovery. We
are preparing to visit Cuba for the Non Aligned Movement Summit which will be
held in September 2006.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, the British High Commission has made
representation to the Portfolio Committee that the 700 South Africans in the
British Forces be exempt from the conditions of the Foreign Military Assistance
Act. Has the British government been in touch with you on this matter?
Answer: I have not been fully briefed regarding the British High
Commissionerâs presentation to the Portfolio Committee. We will seek to meet
the British High Commissioner to discuss this matter further. The Foreign
Military Assistance Act has many more wide-ranging consequences and it is
finally a decision that Cabinet must take after the public discussions and the
views of the legislature are taken into consideration.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, are there any South Africans in the Israeli
Defence Force? And is President Mbeki also in contact with President Bush
regarding the Israeli-Lebanon situation or is the South African government
interacting only with United Nations structures?
Answer: I am not aware of any South Africans in the Israeli Defence Forces.
If anyone is in possession of such information we request that it be furnished
to the relevant agencies for investigation and follow up. We are however, very
anxious to ensure that South Africans, in any guise, are not involved in
conflicts beyond our borders. Any such activities are very dangerous since
South Africans may give others the pretext to act against SA. We are also in
touch with all embassies in South Africa to get their assessment of the
situation and to raise our concerns. We are also in touch with governments, at
various levels, on this matter.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, do you agree with President Gbagbo that he
will remain President until whichever time elections are held?
Answer: I am not sure when he is reported to have said this. I am sure many
positions in this regard will be on the table. We do however believe that in
the event elections are delayed, it will not be a very long delay. We will of
course all be happy if elections take place on 30 October as originally
planned. If the September meeting proposes an extension of the election date,
it will have to be discussed how the country will be governed after the 30
October deadline.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, Ugandaâs Lordâs Resistance Army (LRA) has
declared an immediate cessation of hostilities. What is your position on this
matter?
Answer: We, of course, welcome this development. We believe that peace
between the government and LRA will also impact positively on the situation in
Sudan, the DRC and Burundi. This will indeed be positive for the region in
particular and Africa as a whole. We do not have a direct involvement in the
situation but will be briefed through our participation in the African Union
and our membership of the Peace and Security Council.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, what is South Africaâs reservation about
the current UN resolution?
Answer: We have not been fully privy, until very late, to the draft
resolution. This matter was first handled by France and the United States. It
was then sent to the other P5 members for their comments. We are not on the
ground in Lebanon to look at the strengths and weaknesses of this resolution.
We have, however, always called for an immediate ceasefire and for a
comprehensive long-term solution to the situation. We have always maintained
that the Israeli-Palestinian situation remains the basis for all other conflict
in the region. There is also the problem with the interpretation of the term
âDefensive Actionâ - what is this, how can it be applied, etc? There is also
the implementation of Resolution 1559 and the implementation of a permanent
secure border between Israel and Lebanon. This must not be perceived as a
one-sided resolution. Unless it is accepted by all parties, the war will
continue. We hope that common sense will prevail. The main protagonists must be
satisfied. The Lebanese government has volunteered 15 000 troops to go into the
region to act as a buffer until the UN troops comes in. There must be the
political will for a two-state solution to be realised and we must now accept
that the Roadmap has failed hopelessly. The Israeli-Palestinian situation must
be removed from the Middle East body politic by finding solutions based on the
various UN resolutions. The Arab streets are seething - unless there is a
speedy solution, there will be a revolt that cannot be contained. Hatred is
growing very strongly. The international community must act decisively before
we are faced with a catastrophic and dangerous situation.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
8 August 2006
