Centre Amphitheatre, Union Buildings, Tshwane
12 July 2006
Burundi
The Facilitator, Minister Charles Nqakula is currently engaging the
Government of Burundi and the Paliphehutu-FNL to restart the stalled
negotiations. Negotiations stalled when the parties differed on the methodology
to be used in finalising agreement on a comprehensive ceasefire. The
Paliphehutu-FNL is insisting that before signing the agreement the two parties
must engage thoroughly on the causes and reasons for the conflict, focusing on
the role of the army.
The fundamental position of the FNL is that agreement must be reached on
dismantling the army and rebuilding a new integrated one, imparting on it new
ethics and behaviour. The mandate given by the regional leadership is to begin
negotiations immediately on the implementation of a comprehensive ceasefire.
The Facilitator has now given the parties until Thursday, 13 July 2006, to
finalise preparations and to begin in earnest, immediate negotiations on the
comprehensive ceasefire.
Côte d'Ivoire
A meeting was convened by the UN Secretary-General in Yamoussoukro on 5 July
to discuss the implementation of the peace process in Côte d'Ivoire.
The meeting was attended by:
* President Olusegan Obasanjo
* President Thabo Mbeki
* The Foreign Minister of the Congo, Rodolphe Adada
* The Foreign Minister of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo
* Representatives of President Blaise Compaaore of Burkina Faso and
President
* Amadou Toumani of Mali
On the Ivorian side, participants included:
* President Laurent Gbagbo
* Prime Minister Charles Konan Banny
* Mr Guillaume Soro, Secretary-General of Forces Nouvelles
* Mr Alassane Ouattara, President of the RDR
* Mr Djedje Made, Secretary-General of the PDCI, representing President
Bedie.
The participants reaffirmed their commitment to the Ivorian peace process
and reaffirmed the key commitments made at Yamoussoukro on 28 February
2006:
That the media, and particularly the written press, is called upon to
embrace the peace process and to refrain from printing articles that could
jeopardise the process; That political leaders should prevail on journalists
who are close to them to join the peace process; and that political leaders
should create a conducive environment for the conduct of political activities,
in keeping with the values of brotherhood and democracy.
The Ivorian parties recommitted themselves to do everything possible to
accelerate the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) process and
the identification and electoral processes. In this context, the dismantling of
militias, the redeployment of state administration, the nation-wide launch of
the audiences foraines, and the deployment of the Independent Electoral
Commission (IEC) regional and local commissions are to be in place by 31 July
2006.
In this regard, participants decided to create a Monitoring Committee for
DDR, what would include, among others, representatives of the Impartial Forces,
the Chiefs of Staff of the Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FANCI) and FAFN, and the
Prime Minister's office. The participants strongly warned that those inciting
violence and hatred would be liable for the imposition of targeted sanctions by
the Security Council. The participants decided that a compulsory code of
conduct should be established for members of the media that explicitly forbids
inflammatory, extremist and threatening messages.
The participants urged the political actors in Côte d'Ivoire to develop
confidence and dialogue among themselves and to foster unity and national
reconciliation beyond elections. The parties reaffirmed that the roadmap, as
well as earlier agreements signed by the main Ivorian political actions,
including Pretoria, must be implemented without delay and without re-opening or
re-interpreting them.
The participants welcomes the Secretary-General's intention to call a
meeting in mid-September in the margins of the General Assembly to take stock
of the situation and to make any further determinations as may be needed.
Regarding the 30 October 2006 election date all efforts should be exerted to
make it possible to hold elections by this time. However, should Ambassador
Stoutman the High Representative for Elections, deem it impossible to hold the
elections on this date due to logistical and technical reasons, then the
Secretary-General's meeting in mid-September will be used to take the
appropriate decision on the date on which elections can be held.
The Democratic Republic of Congo
All processes leading up to the elections are underway and we are pleased
with the way in which things are proceeding. The incidents of violence around
the 5000 extra ballot papers in Kinshasa yesterday should not be used to
retract from the overall preparations towards elections.
Middle East
Let me again touch on an increasingly dangerous and inflammatory situation
the Middle East. The conflict has now escalated to Lebanon further endangering
regional peace and security.
I mentioned last week that the Human Rights Council had called for a special
sitting to deal with this matter. The meeting decided to dispatch the Special
Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, John Dugard, to undertake a
fact-finding mission to the occupied territories. In a resolution adopted by a
vote of 29 in favour, 11 against and five abstentions, the Council demanded
that Israel end it military occupations in the occupied Palestinian territory,
expressed grave concern at the detrimental impact of the current Israeli
military operation on the already deteriorating humanitarian conditions of the
Palestinian people, urged Israel to immediately release the arrested
Palestinian ministers, and members of the Palestinian Legislative Council,
respect the rules of international humanitarian law, to refrain from violence
against the civilian population and to treat under all circumstances all
detained combatants and civilians in accordance with the Geneva
Conventions.
In fact, the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories are
deteriorating rapidly: the United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Agencies working in
the occupied territories are alarmed by developments on the ground, which have
seen innocent civilians, including children killed, brought increased misery to
hundreds of thousands of people and which will wreak far-reaching harm on
Palestinian society. There is an alarming situation in Gaza, with poverty rates
at nearly 80% and unemployment at nearly 40%, and is likely to deteriorate
rapidly, unless immediate and urgent action is taken. Israel should stop its
military actions immediately.
South Africa calls on the Palestinians to immediately and unconditionally
release the Israeli soldier and to cease its Qassam rocket fire on Israeli
territory.
We believe that a political solution is the only possible way of addressing
this very serious crisis.
Terrorist attacks in India
Let me also address another issue of great concern: India yesterday
experienced one of the worst terrorist attacks in its history. Let me again
reiterate South Africa's position on terrorism: we condemn terrorism of any
form. Terrorism cannot be used to justify any cause. In fact, such acts only
serve to undermine any genuine struggle the perpetrators may be facing.
We call on the international community to deal collectively with this
scourge of terrorism. In addition, we reiterate that the root causes of
terrorism must be addressed. These acts have only served to further inflame
tensions in the region but we are pleased that both the governments of India
and Pakistan have condemned these acts and that the two groups thought to have
been responsible have denounced these acts as well.
We call on all parties the Indians and Pakistani's to fast-track a solution
to the dispute over Kashmir.
President Mbeki's participation in the G-8 Summit
President Thabo Mbeki will participate in the Group of Eight (G-8) Summit in
St Petersburg, Russian Federation scheduled from Sunday - Monday, 16 to 17 July
2006. We have said before that President Thabo Mbeki, together with the
Presidents of India, Brazil, Mexico, and China have been invited to the G-8
Summit as Strategic Outreach Partners and will participate in a round table
discussion on Monday, 17 July 2006.
The Chairperson of the African Union President Denis Sassou Nguesso and
Khazakstan in its capacity as Chair of the Commonwealth of Independent States
have also been invited to participate in the Outreach segment of the Summit.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and representatives of
the various international organisations including the World Bank, United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), the
International Atomic Energy Agency, the World Health Organisation and the
International Energy Agency are also expected to participate in the 2006
Outreach Meeting.
The 2006 G-8 Summit, under Russia's chairpersonship, will for the first time
integrate the African agenda into all G-8 deliberations, i.e. not just focus on
Africa in aspects involving Africa or in the outreach segment. The statement
issued on conclusion of the Summit will also address the aspects involving
Africa.
The 2006 G-8 Outreach Segment is expected to look at:
* International Energy Security
* Education
* Infectious diseases
I am pleased to say that South Africa has participated in all preparatory
ministerial meetings.
In addition discussions will also focus on:
* International trade: as you know the World Trade Organisation Talks have
failed hopelessly. We hope that the G-8 will be able to do what no other forum
has been able to do and salvage the process in terms of concessions by the
developed countries towards the developing ones. Paul Wolfowitz, President of
the World Bank, has called on the G-8 to make a greater commitment towards the
implementation of its decisions on Africa. He has also indicated that the
United States may be willing to consider improving its positions on its
subsidies to the farmers.
* Non-proliferation and weapons of mass destruction with regard to Iran and
North Korea.
* Combating of international terrorism
* A presentation on the status of commitments towards Africa by Prime Minister
Blair this will look specifically at an evaluation of the progress made towards
commitments made by the G-8 towards Africa.
* Participants in the Round Table discussions are also expected to look at
these issues and their impact on African issues.
* A major meeting on the Africa Action Plan Implementation was held in Maputo
in May this year. The meeting was attended by G-8-Africa Personal
Representatives, OECD members as well as the New Partnership for Africaâs
Development (NEPAD) Steering committee. This meeting identified issues that
must be dealt with in Russia:
1. Development of Continental Infrastructure;
2. Agriculture and Food Security
3. HIV/AIDS
It was also decided that a comprehensive database of all G-8 commitments on
Africa would be developed so as to affect an implementation monitoring tool
across all sectors of the G-8 Bilateral, Regional and Continental commitments
since Kananaskis.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair also appointed an Africa Progress Panel to
monitor delivery of G-8 Gleneagles African Commitments and to ensure poverty
alleviation. This Panel will be led by Secretary-General of the United Nations
Kofi Annan and will be funded by Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft.
Questions and answers
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, can you please respond to the call by the
Palestinian Solidarity Committee that South Africa declares a trade boycott
towards Israel and the South African envoy is recalled? It is also felt that
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is not embracing the two-state solution and that
South Africa is not doing enough considering the response of the international
community when South Africa found itself in a similar position.
Answer: Let me begin by saying these are calls by NGOs, political parties
and trade unions. We as government cannot take symbolic decisions. We must
consistently engage with situations like we have done in the Middle East.
These parties have not made preparations before making such statements or
calling for such action. We cannot therefore take them very seriously. What
should be done is that they should call for a meeting with government and the
African National Congress (ANC) so that we can seriously discuss such
matters.
No one is preventing these parties from affecting a trade embargo against
Israel but they have never done this.
Regarding our diplomatic relations with Israel: We believe that diplomatic
relations ensures that there can be dialogue between parties
South Africa is doing as much as it can - it engages on the situation
through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Troika, we are a member of the NAM
Committee on Palestine, we engage fully through the UN structures on this
matter, we are one of the few countries that made representation to the
International Court of Justice on the illegality of the wall being constructed
through the occupied territories by Israel.
The South African government will be pleased to have discussions with those
calling for these actions.
Regarding the commitment of the Israeli leadership to the two-state solution
we believe that a two-state solution is imperative otherwise all agreements the
Oslo Agreement, the Roadmap, the Arab Plan will be null and void.
A two-state solution is the only solution for a peaceful future for both
peoples we believe there must be discussions by both parties for a viable
Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel within secure borders.
Question: Deputy Minister, earlier in your brief you said the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) talks had failed but later you seem to be more optimistic.
What impact do you think the G-8 can make on this matter seeing that
concessions from the developed countries towards developing ones is a major
obstacle at the moment?
Answer: Regarding the WTO, the Department of Trade and Industry is the main
line function executing department and they should do a more thorough briefing
on the matter.
But it is clear that the developed countries must make greater concessions
towards the developing countries. There seems to be some indication that
compromises from the United States may be forthcoming.
The last meeting in Geneva (the Mini Ministerial meeting) did not succeed.
It is inconceivable that such a matter should not be taken to a meeting of the
world's most powerful countries.
I earlier referred to a statement by the President of the World Bank where
he referred to concessions on agricultural subsidies from the United States
(US).
The position of the developing countries in this regard is quite clear. But
I believe the matter has now been turned upside down. The Doha Round was about
the development agenda not about the developing countries making concessions to
the developed ones in respect of market liberalisation.
I hope that the developed countries will now behave with some good
sense.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, you yesterday met with your counterpart
from North Korea. A report appeared today that the North Koreans may have
discussed the acquisition of uranium from the DRC when they were there. Was
this matter discussed?
Answer: I did not discuss this matter with my counterpart - the acquisition
of uranium from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was not discussed. We
rather discussed the forthcoming elections in the DRC.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, you earlier said the new deadline in the
Burundi Peace Process is on 13 July 2006. Could you please elaborate?
Answer: We have already passed the previous deadline. We cannot find
ourselves in an endless situation where the regional leadership and the
Facilitator spend much time on trying to finalise what has already been agreed
to. We believe that the Burundians have moved forward quite decisively. We now
hope that common sense will prevail and the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement
will be finalised.
Should this not happen, then the Chair and Vice-Chair, Uganda and Tanzania
must suggest the way forward in the process.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, can you please comment on allegations by
some parties in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that South Africa is
biased?
Answer: South Africa, at a governmental and non-government organisation
(NGO) level, is working extensively towards assisting the government of DRC
hold its first elections since the death of Lumumba.
The government has indicated all its need to us and we have tried to
assist.
Not once has there been any mention of a bias on our part.
The unrest yesterday came as a result of the printing of an extra 5000
ballot papers in any election, extra ballot papers must be printed, and I
assume these are being done under supervision.
Observer teams from the European Union (EU), Southern African Development
Community (SADC), United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), and United States
through government and NGOs will be in place to observe these elections.
I do not give much credibility to comments by those who have not been fully
engaged in the process but now try to present obstacles.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, is the deadline of 13 July 2006 intended as
an ultimatum to the Paliphehutu-FNL? And what is your comment regarding
increased militia activity in the DRC?
Answer: Tanzania has been and continues to be fully engaged with the matter
of Burundi. It is now important that we come to conclusion following many weeks
of discussion. We must also present a report to the AU on the outcomes of this
process. Although the Paliphehutu-FNL has joined the process the matter has not
been finalised and it must not become a situation where the process is being
held to ransom.
Regarding the DRC, the question of security, especially in the East is a
matter of concern. In this regard, MONUC has already begun to take some steps.
The EU has also deployed its forces, although they will mainly be a reactive
force. Security is not bad throughout the country and based on our assessment,
security in the country is relatively in hand. We would not have deployed so
many of our own observers if we had serious concerns about their welfare.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
12 July 2006
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
