express South Africa's concern at developments in the country
29 September 2007
The South African government today Saturday, 29 September 2007, joined the
international community in expressing its grave concern at the recent violence
in Myanmar that has led to the loss of life.
Accordingly Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe today summoned the
Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar based in Pretoria to convey the South
African government's deepest concern at current developments in Myanmar.
Deputy Minister van der Merwe said, "South Africa is alarmed by the
situation in Myanmar and condemns in the strongest terms the violence that has
now become a feature of developments in the country."
"The South African government reiterates its belief in the inalienable right
of the people of Myanmar, as is with the peoples of the world, to engage in
peaceful protest action to highlight their plight."
"The South African government therefore calls on the authorities in Myanmar
to respect this fundamental right of the people of Myanmar and to desist from
further acts that will only fuel and exacerbate the current situation."
"South Africa was party to the decision by the United Nations Security
Council earlier in the week to dispatch the Special Envoy of the United Nations
Secretary-General, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, to Myanmar to evaluate the
situation. The South African government, as is the case with all United Nations
Security Council members, expresses the hope that Professor Gambari will be
allowed to expeditiously fulfil his mandate."
"It is the hope of the South African government that the Human Rights
Council in Geneva will vigorously deal with the situation in Myanmar."
"The long term solution to the current challenges facing Myanmar lies in a
negotiated political solution between the government and the opposition."
"Accordingly, the South African government urges the government of Myanmar
to engage in this negotiated process with the opposition with a view to finding
a long lasting solution to the challenges facing Myanmar," concluded Deputy
Minister van der Merwe.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2007
