Thailand
20 September 2006
Pretoria - South African Deputy Foreign Minister, Aziz Pahad, today,
Wednesday, 20 September, on behalf of the South African government expressed
outrage and condemnation of the coup in Thailand.
"The South African government joins the United Nations (UN)
Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, and indeed the entire international community in
expressing an outright condemnation of the unconstitutional transfer of power
in Thailand on Tuesday, 19 September," said Deputy Minister Pahad.
"Having just emerged from the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in which
member states committed themselves to democracy, good governance and the rule
of law, the coup in Thailand flies in the face of these commitments," further
said Deputy Minister Pahad.
"In this regard, the unconstitutional transfer of power from whatever
quarter and in pursuance of whatever objectives should never be encouraged
anywhere in the world," continued Deputy Minister Pahad.
"Accordingly, the South African Government expresses its hope that all
efforts will be made to ensure the immediate return to the rule of law and
constitutionality," concluded Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
20 September 2006
