Centre Amphitheatre, Union Buildings, Pretoria
5 February 2007
Security Council Workplan: February 2007
Africa
Chad / Central African Republic / The Sudan
Cross-border issues in West Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo - MONUC, and sanctions
Somalia
The Sudan � United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), Darfur
Americas
Haiti - MINUSTAH
Asia
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
Timor-Leste - UNMIT
EUROPE
Kosovo - future status
OTHER
Non-proliferation - Iran
As the Co-ordinator of the Non-Aligned Movement Security Council Caucus for
January and February 2007, South Africa should consult regularly with the
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) on issues of importance to the Movement and convene
meetings of the Caucus, as the need arises.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has been invited
to attend a thematic debate on Security Sector Reform, which will be hosted by
Slovakia during its Presidency of the Council on 21 February 2007.
Subsidiary Bodies of the Security Council: South Africa's Obligations:
South Africa will:
* Chair the Somalia Monitoring Group
* South Africa will be one of three vice-chairs of the Counter-Terrorism
Committee (CTC)
* Co-chair the Ad Hoc Committee on Mandate Review with Slovakia
Vice-chair the Cote d' Ivoire and Liberia Sanctions Committees
* Is the lead nation on Timor-Leste
South Africa will chair the Council in March 2007.
Restructuring of United Nations (UN) departments
Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will hold talks this week with Member States
about his plans to restructure the political and security departments of the
United Nations Secretariat to ensure they are as effective as possible at
delivering their mandated programmes and handling any other challenges.
At Mr Ban's request, Sheikha Haya, President of the General Assembly, has
held talks with NAM, the Group of 77 developing countries and China, the
European Union (EU), the African Group and CANZ, a grouping that comprises
Canada, Australia and New Zealand. She has also met the US, Russia, China,
Japan, Norway, Mexico and Switzerland individually.
"The Secretary-General is concerned about the need to strengthen the
capacities of the Organisation to cope with the increased scope of activities
in the area of peace and security, as well as to advance the disarmament
agenda."
Resolution on the Holocaust
The General Assembly adopted by consensus on 26 January 2007 the resolution
on "Holocaust Denial."
The UN declared 27 January 2007 as the International Day of Commemoration in
memory of victims of the Holocaust.
South Africa supported this resolution. What happened under the Nazi regime
can never be justified. We are consistently of the view that this resolution
should ensure that we never again experience the spectre of fascism and
discrimination in its many forms.
African Union
As you are aware, from the 28-30 January 2007, Ethiopia hosted meetings of
the New Partnership for Africa�s Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and
Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC), the African Peer Review Forum of
Heads of State and Government and the African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of
State and Government.
It is surprising that some of the international and our own media wrote of
"no progress", "failure", "bloodletting on issue of chairmanship of the AU,"
and "Mbeki stalls APRM Review," etc.
Let's look at what really happened.
African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)
The Mail & Guardian on Friday, 2 February 2007 reports:
"...uncertainty lingers over what transpired during Sunday's Forum... but a
person speaking on conditions of anonymity said that the strategic partners
[United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Economic
Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the African Bank] were excluded but could
not confirm rumours that South Africa asked for the report to be removed."
If there is uncertainly and the "deep-throat" could not confirm things and
the fact that the journalist writes that "the Public Service and Administration
Department (DPSA) has reportedly said the government submitted a revised
programme of Action on 15 January, but on Sunday the old programme of action
was included among the documents for Mbeki's presentation."
Why then, on the basis of uncertainty and "non-confirmation" the failure to
check with the DPSA about what they reportedly said can he conclude that
"President Mbeki stalled South Africa's self-assessment process under the APRM
for 6 months citing technical reasons" and "Mbeki's intervention reflects the
government's gradual take over of a programme that was initially promoted as a
collective effort and when the APRM rules say they we are independent."
What are the facts?
South Africa is one of the main architects of the APRM process and will
defend the APRM objectives and processes as far as we can.
We also made an important contribution to the Constitutive Act of the AU
which places great emphasis on democracy, protection of human rights and good
governance.
Therefore, we have no interest in "stalling" or sabotaging the presentation
of the APRM report or the processes of the APRM.
Decision on APRM
During the 6th African Peer Review Forum (APRF) it was agreed that South
Africa would be peer-reviewed during the 7th APRF in July 2007 as the report
that was circulated to Heads of State and Government was a draft country report
and not the official report. Presenting this report would set a bad precedent
to the Peer Review Mechanism process and would therefore weaken the processes.
South Africa will now be reviewed together with Algeria and Nigeria at the next
APRF. There was no attempt to sabotage or stall the process.
The HSGIC elected President Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia as Chairman of the
NEPAD Heads of State and Implementation Committee (HSGIC) effective from May
2007.
Chair of the African Union
As we said last week, the African Union Heads of State and Government had
the experience to deal with this matter without interference.
Indeed, the Heads of State, considering the 50th Anniversary of the
independence of Ghana, declared it a watershed moment in Africa's history,
giving impetus to the process of decolonization on the continent and
engendering a renewed sense of a common African destiny.
When it considered the issue of who should serve as the 2007 Chair of the
AU, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government made the determination that
it should elect President John Kufuor of Ghana to this important and
prestigious position. This was a unanimous decision that was proposed, among
others, by President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan. The AU felt that everything
should be done to commemorate the historic independence of Ghana in 1957. The
decision taken by the AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, concerning who should chair
the Union during 2007, had absolutely nothing to do with humiliating or
rejecting Sudan and President Omar al-Bashir.
The 2007 Addis Ababa Assembly paid particular attention to the critical
issue of Africa's involvement in the development of science and technology,
resulting in the adoption of an African Indicative Plan focused on the
development and application of science and technology to address our
Continent's challenges, including mitigation of, and adaptation to climate
change.
Security and stability: all member states of the AU committed themselves to
contribute whatever they can towards the resolution of such conflicts as
confront Sudan, Somalia, Cote d'Ivoire, Comoros, Guinean (Conakry), Chad and so
on.
The Assembly took important decisions to assess the effectiveness of the
institutions of the African Union precisely to ensure that Africa realises the
faster progress that it needs to achieve.
Decision on the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance
The Assembly adopted the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and
Governance, reiterating its importance in the consolidation of commitments
collectively taken by Member States to promote democracy and good governance on
the continent.
Decision on the Union Government
The Assembly committed itself to the idea of the Union Government and agreed
to dedicate the next Summit in Accra, Ghana, to debate on the issue.
South Africa will host a meeting of African Foreign Ministers in April 2007
to deliberate on this matter ahead of the Summit discussions.
Decision on Climate Change and Development in Africa
The Assembly endorsed the Action Plan entitled "Climate Information for
Development Needs: an Action Plan for Africa - Report and Implementation
Strategy."
It is now increasingly evident that Africa will suffer the most from climate
change processes and this matter must therefore be placed high on Africa's
agenda.
Declaration of the 8th Assembly of the AU Heads of State and Government on
the International Year of African Football and ushering in the 2010 World Cup
as an African Event.
Through this Declaration, the Assembly launched 2007 as the International
Year of African Football and mandated the Commission, in collaboration with
Member States, to develop a Programme of Activities to mark it. The Commission
was further mandated to organise a conference of Ministers of Sports to provide
leadership to the organisation of activities marking the International Year of
African Football and to elaborate concrete activities in connection with the
2010 World Cup.
The Assembly reaffirmed their commitment to make the 2010 World Cup a truly
African World Cup by committing their countries to full and substantive
involvement in the preparations leading to the World Cup and urged the
Confederation of African Football (CAF), Federation Internationale de Football
Association (FIFA), the international sports community and friends of Africa to
lend their support.
The Assembly committed itself to provide all-round support to the Government
and people of South Africa in their efforts to organise the 2010 World Cup
tournaments successfully and effectively.
Member States were urged to develop national programmes and identify
suitable African Union Sport Ambassadors to work closely with the Commission in
the implementation of the International Year of African Football "Sports for
All" Programmes and 2010 Soccer World Cup African Legacy Programme.
Declaration on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) Negotiations
The Assembly endorsed the Addis Ababa Ministerial Declaration of 16 January
2007 on EPA negotiations and requested the AU Ministers of Trade and Africa's
negotiators to remain vigilant and steadfast in the remaining stages of the
negotiations.
Declaration on World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations
In this Declaration the Assembly expressed deep concern and disappointment
at the stalling of the negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) and
called for a prompt resumption and a speedy and successful conclusion of the
Doha Round. The Assembly reiterated its position that any outcome of the
current round of WTO negotiations that fails to adequately deliver on the
development promises of the DDA will be unacceptable to Africa.
Declaration on Climate Change and Development in Africa
The Assembly made the above Declaration committing themselves to continue to
urge countries that have yet to ratify the Kyoto Protocol to do so and
committed to themselves to build capacity and strengthen the effective
participation of African countries in the negotiations on the future of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Kyoto
Protocol processes.
The Assembly called for the streamlining of the Global Environment Fund
(GEF) to include the vulnerability index in the Resource Allocation Framework
formula in order to ease African Countries' access to the GEF. The Assembly
also committed to foster and strengthen co-operation between National
Meteorological and Hydrological Services, Regional Climate Centres and Regional
Environmental Centres (RECs) on matters of climate variability and change.
In this Declaration the Assembly demands that developed countries undertake
and meet their mitigation commitments as provided for in the UNFCCC and
requests the Commission to consult with the African Ministerial Conference on
the environment with the view to establishing the necessary mechanisms to
follow up the implementation of this Declaration, evaluate the progress towards
the attainment of its objective and report biannually to the Summit as
appropriate.
Given the scope and depth of issues tackled, it is difficult to understand
why some in the media believe the Summit failed.
Peace and stability issues
Sudan
The UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) announced on 26 January 2007 the killing of
an Indian peacekeeper and the wounding of two others in an attack by unknown
gunman during an escort of a de-mining team in Southern Sudan.
The Government of Southern Sudan has announced the establishment of an
independent commission to investigate corruption in the highly autonomous
regional government. The commission will focus on the awarding of government
tenders since 2005.
Darfur Situation
The Darfur situation continues to be a matter of great concern to us in
Africa and the rest of the international community.
Rebel forces, particularly the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) faction that did
not sign the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) has issued a press statement accusing
the government of launching attacks against villages in eastern Jebel Mara and
Al Rokino area in Darfur. On 28 January 2007, the Chairperson of the AU
Commission, Alpha Konare demanded the Government of Sudan (GOS) to stop
bombardments and massacres in Darfur in his opening address of the AU
Summit.
The National Redemption Front (NRF - a coalition of rebel forces in Darfur
that did not sign the DPA) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)
are preparing to hold a meeting in Yei, Southern Sudan. The meeting will afford
the Darfur rebels the opportunity to find agreement on common political
objectives on the issues that need attention during the forthcoming talks with
the GOS (the date for the talks has not been set yet). The Chairman of the
SPLM, Salva Kiir, will participate in the meeting.
A delegation of International Criminal Court (ICC) investigators has arrived
in Khartoum on a fact finding mission on the national proceedings related to
Darfur crimes. The aim of the team is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of
the Special Criminal Courts on Darfur established by the GOS and investigations
carried out by the GOS. The Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, Luis Moren-Ocampo has
stated that the submission of the first Darfur case to the ICC Judges is
pending the report of the abovementioned fact finding mission. In response to
the visit by the ICC fact finding mission, the Sudan Justice Minister has
stated that the Sudan can do a better job prosecuting crimes in Darfur.
Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) peace talks
The Eastern Equatorial Parliament expressed concern over insecurity posed by
the LRA presence in that state. The Eastern Equatorial Parliament complained
that about 150 forces of the LRA are occupying part of the state and harvesting
crops of the locals.
UN Secretary-General's Report on the Sudan to the Security Council (25
January 2007)
While the parties have achieved significant progress in implementing the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement, much remains to be done if they are to establish
an inclusive and constitutional democracy in which unity is made attractive to
voters in Southern Sudan. I am concerned that the "spirit of Naivasha," which
resulted in a historic agreement two years ago, has been somewhat elusive,
especially in recent months, and that the consensus created by the accords has
been overshadowed by distrust and uncertainty.
Mistrust between the parties remains a serious obstacle, potential spoilers
still exist and the war in Darfur has diverted international attention and
support from implementation of the Agreement. Peace in Southern Sudan needs
renewed and sustained attention. The coming year should be a year of increased
focus on the Agreement to protect the gains made so far and to give the Sudan a
stable basis on which to move forward.
Both parties must cease using militias as proxy forces and make the
integration of other armed groups a top priority. The parties should establish
the ad hoc incorporation and reintegration committees provided for in the
Agreement and work in earnest through the Other Armed Groups Collaborative
Committee and the National Council for Disarmament, Demobilisation and
Reintegration Co-ordination for the integration or demobilisation of all armed
militias.
I urge the parties to begin in earnest the demarcation of the 1 January 1956
border and to agree the status of Abyei. If the border issue is not resolved
expeditiously, it might be difficult to verify full redeployment in July 2007.
The international community should provide financial and technical support to
the technical ad hoc border committee.
Despite the public airing of disagreements during the celebrations marking
the second anniversary of the Agreement, there seems to be a generally improved
partnership in recent weeks between NCP and SPLM, which has enabled progress on
important areas, like the National Petroleum Commission. However, the parties
still appear reluctant to tackle resolutely difficult issues in the
institutions provided for in the Agreement, preferring instead to resort to
informal discussions. More must be done to improve transparency in political
decision-making and to improve the capacity of all parties to participate in
the political process. Donor support in building the capacity of political
parties and parliamentary institutions will also remain essential.
The enactment of electoral legislation and the establishment of the
Electoral Commission are long overdue.
After the signing of the Agreement, it is particularly crucial to provide
tangible benefits of peace to the people of the Sudan. In its resolution 1590
(2005), the Security Council urged rapid delivery of an assistance package for
the reconstruction and economic development of the Sudan. In practice, progress
has been slower than expected, especially in Southern Sudan.
International concern with Darfur has diverted significant attention, as
well as human and financial resources, away from implementation of the
Comprehensive Peace Agreement. In this respect, Darfur is not just a human
tragedy, it also reflects negatively on the central precept of the Agreement,
that Sudanese unity should be made attractive to Southern Sudanese voters. The
longer the conflict drags on, the harder it will be to persuade the Southern
Sudanese that their best interests lie within a united Sudan.
The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) plans to convene a
major meeting to assess implementation of the Agreement in July 2007.
Secretary-General's meeting with President El-Bashir in Addis Ababa
In Darfur the security situation remains extremely volatile, as civilian
populations continue to be targeted in violation of international humanitarian
and human rights law. While fighting has continued amid shifting factional
allegiances, efforts to conclude local ceasefire arrangements were undermined
by continued aerial bombardment of rebel positions by the Government. Violence
also surged along the Chad-Sudan border, as Chadian armed opposition groups
launched attacks from Darfur into Chad. Meanwhile, implementation of the Darfur
Peace Agreement made only halting progress.
UNMIS is working to finalise the implementation of the "light support
package" of assistance to the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS). The
first part of a three-phase approach that will culminate in a hybrid African
Union/United Nations mission in Darfur; the package includes United Nations
military and police advisory personnel, as well as material and equipment for
AMIS. On 26 December, the tripartite mechanism established by the United
Nations, the African Union, and the Government of National Unity to facilitate
implementation of the three-phase approach resolved several outstanding issues,
including the attire of United Nations military and police personnel deployed
under the light support package, who will wear their national uniforms, blue
berets and African Union armbands.
The United Nations and the African Union held a final round of consultations
in Khartoum from 18 to 20 January to finalise the "heavy support package," the
second step of the three-phase approach. The package, which includes a range of
force enablers, three formed police units, civilian personnel and mission
support items, was transmitted to President Al-Bashir on 24 January in separate
letters from African Union Chairperson Konare and the Secretary-General. The
African Union and the United Nations held additional consultations from 22 to
24 January on their hybrid operation.
In a statement the Secretary-General said he met with President Omer
Al-Bashir of Sudan for about one and half hours to discuss in a useful and
constructive manner political and security developments in Sudan and in
particular in Darfur.
They agreed to accelerate joint African Union-United Nations efforts for the
political process and the preparation for a peacekeeping mission, based on the
Abuja and Addis Ababa agreements. President El-Bashir reiterated his
Government's commitment to implement these agreements.
The Secretary-General reiterated the UN's strong commitment to the political
process in Sudan, emphasising the centrality of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement (CPA) and the importance of its timely and effective
implementation.
The Secretary-General has expressed deep concerns over the continuing
violence and deteriorating human rights situation in Darfur, which afflicts
millions of people. He urged President Al-Bashir, and all parties, to cease
hostilities, as an essential foundation for a successful peace process, and
humanitarian access. President Al-Bashir agreed to facilitate such access, and
expressed willingness to co-operate with international efforts toward that
end.
The Secretary-General stressed the urgency of a re-energised political
process in Darfur. In that context, he informed President Al-Bashir that he
agreed with Chairman Alpha Oumar Konare on a joint mission of my Special Envoy
Jan Eliasson and AU Envoy Salim A Salim to Khartoum and Darfur in early
February to support peace-making efforts. President Al-Bashir welcomed this
mission.
The Secretary-General recalled his letter of 24 January, presenting the
heavy support package for peace-keeping agreed with the African Union. I look
forward to a prompt and positive answer to this joint proposal. This will pave
the way for the early deployment of a hybrid mission.
South Africa will intensify our efforts to support the implementation of the
AU and UN resolutions regarding the hybrid force for Sudan.
Somalia
On 19 January 2007, the AU decided to deploy the AU Mission in Somalia
(AMISOM) for a period of 6 months.
The AU has made a call to President Yusuf and his government to establish
enough calm in Somalia to allow the deployment of troops in that country.
The AU Summit viewed the holding of a national reconciliation process as a
requirement to restore peace, security, stability in Somalia.
On 22 January 2007, the Council of the European Union issued a press
statement indicating that the EU would provide - 15 million from the African
Peace Facility for the proposed peacekeeping force, only if an all-inclusive
political dialogue and genuine reconciliation process is held in Somalia. This
process is envisaged to include clan leaders, Islamic leaders, representatives
of the business community, civil society and women, and to be held on the basis
of the Transitional Federal Charter signed in 2004.
The transitional government on 30 January 2007 announced that preparations
were being made for a national reconciliation conference which could establish
the required calm.
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia Meles Zenawi has indicated that one-third of
his troops will be withdrawing from Somalia beginning 3 February 2007 and that
the remaining troops will be out within the coming weeks.
During the recent AU Summit, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi indicated
that Rome was ready to host a peace conference to launch reconstruction in its
former colony as soon as conditions were right. In other developments, the US
expressed concern about the regrouping of terrorists in Somalia.
Recent Developments
At least three people were killed when mortar bombs and rockets fell near
the presidential palace on Thursday, 1 February 2007 in Mogadishu.
A Somali government source blamed the attacks on fighters from the Union of
Islamic Courts (UIC): "Mortars have hit the sea port, near the presidential
palace. Most of the mortars hit residential houses. It is only civilians who
were affected. These people have lost any support by the terrible act
tonight."
The attacks came after a protest against the deployment of foreign
peacekeepers by hundreds of supporters of the Islamic Courts.
Attacks are also being carried out by warlords who did not get what they
wanted from the Transitional Federal Government when it retook Mogadishu.
Addis Ababa says its mission in Somalia is complete and it wants the first
African Union peacekeeping units to deploy by mid-February so their forces can
withdraw.
Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, seen as a potential key to reconciliation in
post-war Somalia, surrendered to Kenyan authorities on the border with Somalia
about 10 days ago.
He was reportedly released on Thursday, 1 February 2007 and is now heading
to Yemen.
Removal of Speaker
Former speaker of parliament Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan � fired two weeks ago
- has told the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that the election of his
successor was illegal.
Mr Adan, who is currently in Djibouti, was removed for having unauthorised
talks with the Islamists, who ruled much of Somalia until last month.
He had also opposed Ethiopia's military intervention to help the government
drive out the Islamic group.
On 27 to 28 January 2007 thousands of leaflets urging residents of Mogadishu
to avoid collaborating with Ethiopians or face "losing their lives and
property," were distributed.
Because of increasing insecurity martial law was imposed on the country -
putting all powers into the hands of the president for the next three
months.
Possible Peacekeepers
Nine battalions proposed � 7 600 troops
* Uganda 1 500 troops offered subject to parliamentary approval
* Nigeria troops offered
* Ghana troops offered
* Burundi 1 000 troops offered
* Malawi considering
* Benin considering
* Tanzania considering
* Rwanda considering
* South Africa not sending troops.
The UN Security Council urged the African Union on Friday, 2 February 2007
to quickly send peacekeepers to Somalia so that Ethiopia could withdraw its
forces and the government could lift its emergency security measures.
The 15-nation UN Council also backed the rapid deployment of a UN technical
assistance mission to Somalia to make recommendations on future security
needs.
However, the Council of Islamic Court soldiers say they oppose African
peacekeepers.
Some of the Islamic Courts vowed to conduct a long guerrilla war against the
government.
The Security Council underlined the urgency of its deployment in order to
help create the conditions for the withdrawal of all other foreign forces from
Somalia and the uplifting of emergency security measures currently in
place.
The country has been in chaos since 1991.
A team of UN officials would meet the AU this week to discuss how it could
help get the AU force up and running, said UN spokesperson Farhan Haq.
The Security Council emphasised the importance of political dialogue and
inclusiveness among all Somalia's political factions.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Following the appointment of the Prime Minister designate, Mr Antoine
Gizenga, there has been anticipation of the announcement of the new government.
It is of utmost importance that the new Ministers and deputies be announced as
soon as possible to enable the country to continue with its reconstruction and
development projects.
Elections of Governors have been marred by candidates accusing the
opposition-dominated provincial assemblies in Kinshasa and Bas-Congo of having
elected members of the ruling party - the AMP - as governors. According to
"Union for the Nation" (UN) members, the members of the provincial assemblies
must have been bribed to vote for the AMP candidates.
The election of the AMP candidates in Bas Congo has led to the eruption of
violence in the province. There have been violent riots in the three main towns
of the Bas-Congo province, Matadi, Boma and Mwanda, by opposition supporters
protesting against the results of governorship polls. The violent nature of the
protests is a matter for concern. The results of the elections of Governors and
Vice-Governors were a general surprise as the AMP candidates in both Kinshasa
and Bas-Congo were elected. This is seen against the fact that the UN of
Jean-Pierre Bemba held the majority of seats in the provincial legislatures of
both provinces and the party's candidates were thus convinced of their
victory.
Security situation
UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) spokesman Kemal Saiki said, "The overall
situation remains calm."
"MONUC remains worried by the behaviour of certain elements of the Congolese
armed forces who, despite calls for discipline, continue to harass and
terrorise the civilian population."
MONUC's main military concern is Ituri, due to the slow progress of
demobilisation and the activities of the local warlord Peter Karim and his
militia, the Front des Nationalistes and Integrationnistes (FNI).
MONUC military spokesman Lt-Col Didier Rancher said he is a vestige of the
past - a veritable dinosaur whose FNI has reneged on all promises of joining in
the demobilisation process."
"Instead, incidents with civilians around Fataki took place, including rape
and other intolerable violations. All outstretched hands, all offers of
dialogue from the Government, helped by MONUC have failed with Peter Karim, who
resembles a museum piece in his refusal to join the demobilisation
process."
In South Kivu province during the past week, clashes occurred between army
troops and a hundred partisans of the so-called Moramvia Group.
In North Kivu province, skirmishes occurred between army troops and
deserters refusing to reintegrate due to unfounded fears over their
families.
UN peacekeepers have deployed in the western province of the DRC after more
than 70 people were killed in the worst political violence since last year's
landmark elections.
Violence began after Jean-Pierre Bemba accused followers of President Kabila
of buying local assembly members' votes for governors and senators.
President Kabila's Alliance of the Presidential Majority (AMP) won six of
the nine governorships, while Bemba's coalition won only one, in this home
province of Equateur.
Bemba's Union of the Nation coalition failed to win the governorships of
Kinshasa and Bas-Congo, where he has a visible popular following.
"One of the things we condemn is the loss of life," said Kemal Saiki,
spokesperson for 17 000 strong UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC).
"There are mechanisms to address grievances. We ask all parties to exercise
restraint."
MONUC has deployed 35 armed police to Bas-Congo following attacks on two UN
vehicles, Saiki said.
Middle East
The South African government remains concerned about the volatile situation
in the Middle East. In the last few weeks over 80 Palestinians have been killed
in the inter-Palestinian clashes.
We welcome a ceasefire agreement forged, with an Egyptian mediation:
provides for withdrawal of gunmen, removing blockades, redeployment of security
elements to locations they were previously stationed at, and end of tension and
media campaigns in addition to a ceasefire.
The government shall undertake the responsibility of maintaining security.
It demanded an immediate release of all those who were abducted from both
parties, cessation of incitement and counterproductive media campaigns, and
turning over elements suspected of being involved in murder to public
prosecution for investigation in pursuance.
President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh demanded both
Fatah and Hamas comply with the agreement and discuss pending issues in
preparation for the formation of a national unity government.
However, despite the commitments, fighting continued over the weekend.
Fierce fighting between Hamas and Fatah forced the UN Relief and Works
Agency (UNRWA), which looks after Palestinian refugees to shut schools for some
35 000 children on Saturday, 3 February 2007 and suspend food delivery from its
Gaza city warehouse.
UNRWA provides food to 1,1 million of the 1,4 million people who live in the
Strip.
John Ging, UNRWA's director of operations in Gaza said, "We cannot deliver
humanitarian services in the crossfire. We have been warning repeatedly that
the situation here was heading for a social explosion -now it has come."
Statement by UN agencies including UNRWA, the UN Office for the
Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and UNICEF on Saturday, 3 February
2007:
"It is becoming extremely difficult for us to fulfil our humanitarian
mandates to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people. The implications
of this for a population already facing extreme hardship are grave."
Initiatives of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Delegations of Fatah and Hamas would hold an extensive dialogue on the
various pending issues in the meeting anticipated to be held in Mecca. The
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques had invited the two factions to hold dialogue
in Mecca.
The dialogue would deal with halt of infighting, formation of a national
unity government, activation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) and
regaining its status and role as the sole legitimate representative of the
Palestinian people and its higher political authority and reference.
The meeting is scheduled to take place tomorrow Tuesday, 6 February
2007.
Egyptian Proposal
Egyptian proposal: formation of a national army comprised of Palestinians
from the various factions of the political spectrum. Several Palestinian
factions have announced they welcome the Egyptian proposal.
Fatah also welcomed the proposal.
Eilat Bombing
The Eilat terror attack has no justification and is unacceptable under any
circumstances - no cause can justify such an attack against innocent
civilians.
We call on all parties not to be held hostage by those opposed to a
political solution.
Parties must not lose focus on the key objectives: a two state solution
based on 1967 borders.
Middle East Quartet Meeting on Friday, 2 February 2007
Following is the text of a statement issued by the Quartet (United Nations,
Russian Federation, The United States and European Union).
The Quartet Principals - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov; US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; United Nations Secretary-General Ban
Ki-Moon; High Representative for European Foreign and Security Policy Javier
Solana; German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier; and European
Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner - met today in
Washington to discuss the situation in the Middle East.
The Quartet welcomed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the representative
of the EU Presidency, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Recognising the critical need to end the Palestinian/Israeli conflict, which
would contribute to security and stability in the region, the Quartet pledged
to support efforts to put in place a process with the goal of ending the
occupation that began in 1967 and creating an independent, democratic and
viable Palestinian state, living side-by-side in peace and security with
Israel, and reaffirmed its commitment to a just, lasting, and comprehensive
peace based on United Nation Security Council (UNSC) Resolution�s 242 and
338.
The Quartet expressed the hope that the result-oriented dialogue initiated
between Israeli and Palestinian leaders will continue in the framework of a
renewed political process with the aim of launching meaningful
negotiations.
The Quartet undertook to give active follow-up to these meetings and to
remain closely engaged at this moment of increased activity and dialogue. The
Quartet reaffirmed its commitment to meet regularly at both the principals and
envoys level according to an agreed calendar, including with the parties and
other regional partners, to monitor developments and actions taken by the
parties and to discuss the way ahead.
The Quartet noted its support for renewed dialogue between Israeli and
Palestinian leaders and welcomed the December 23 meeting between Israeli Prime
Minister Olmert and Palestinian President Abbas, and the subsequent
implementation of some steps discussed at that meeting. The Quartet urged the
parties to implement fully steps discussed at the 23 December meeting, to
refrain from taking any measures that could predetermine the number of issues
that will be resolved in negotiations, to meet their respective obligations
under phase one of the Roadmap and under the Agreement on Movement and Access,
and to seek to fulfil their obligations under the Sharm el-Sheikh
Understandings of 2005.
The Quartet discussed US efforts to facilitate discussions between the
parties. The Quartet welcomed the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister
Olmert, President Abbas, and Secretary of State Rice, that could begin to
define more clearly the political horizon for the Palestinian people, and help
engender a sense of partnership. The Quartet affirmed the primacy of the
Roadmap, and welcomed US efforts to accelerate progress on the Roadmap.
The Quartet noted the continuing importance of the Arab Peace Initiative,
particularly its reflection of a shared commitment to a two-state solution.
The Quartet reiterated its call for an immediate and unconditional end to
all acts of violence and terror. It condemned the suicide bombing in Eilat on
29 January and called once again for an immediate end to all rocket attacks
against Israel.
The Quartet expressed its deep concern at the violence among Palestinians
and called for respect for law and order.
The Quartet called for continued international assistance to the Palestinian
people, and encouraged donors to focus on preserving and building the capacity
of institutions of Palestinian governance as well as the development of the
Palestinian economy. The Quartet welcomed international efforts to reform the
Palestinian security sector and thus to help improve law and order for the
Palestinian people. It called for the Temporary International Mechanism to be
further developed to support the political process, to identify suitable
projects for international support in the areas of governance, institution
building and economic development, and urged other members of the international
community to consider practical support to the parties.
The Quartet called for Palestinian unity in support of a government
committed to non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous
agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap. The Quartet reaffirmed that
these principles endure. The Quartet reiterated its call for the Palestine
government to commit to these principles.
The Quartet has to play a more dynamic and even-handed role to complete the
final status solution. Failure to do so could lead to serious consequences.
The Security Council must consider how it can play a more decisive role in
ending this conflict.
Iraq
The carnage continues. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon's Special
Representative Ashraf Qazi, "condemned in the strongest terms the upsurge in
violence in Iraq which targeted innocent civilians in popular markets and
universities."
Welcoming the statement by Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani calling on all to
remember the fundamental unity of Islam and the need to close ranks in
deference of civilised values and the future of the country, Mr Qazi stressed
the primary role of Iraqis in preventing further bloodshed.
The quarterly audit prepared by the office of the Special Inspector General
for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR), Stuart Bowen Jr: "The Security situation in
Iraq continues to deteriorate, hindering progress in all reconstruction sectors
and threatening the overall construction efforts."
"There are concerns that corruption among Iraqi officials has diverted much
of these funds to fuel internal conflicts between Iraqi rivals or insurgent
attacks against US and Iraqi forces."
With US$21 billion allocated to it, the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund
(IRRF) is the largest US foreign aid project since the Marshall Plan was
launched to rebuild Europe after World War II. Some 80% of the money has
already been paid out, the report said.
At present, Iraqis get about three hours of electricity a day, in contrast
to pre-war levels of about 20 hours per day.
The audit report said the IRRF's funds were spent as follows:
* 34% on security and justice
* 23% on trying to generate and distribute electricity
* 12% on water
* 12% on economic and social development
* 9% on oil and gas
* 4% on transportation and communications
* 4% on healthcare.
The report cited an incident in which US$43,8 million was paid by the US
State Department to DynCorp International to build a residential camp for
trainee police in one of the former president Hussein's palaces in Baghdad.
About US$4,2 million of this money was spent improperly on 20 trailers for
important visitors and an Olympic sized swimming pool.
The report also warned that soaring unemployment was contributing to the
insurgency and therefore, was hampering reconstruction efforts.
Lebanon
UN investigation into assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq
Hariri
The next Brammertz report is ready.
Syria will again raise the issue of the International Criminal Court instead
of the proposed tribunal which the Syrians oppose on the grounds that the idea
of a tribunal was introduced for political reasons.
They believe that the previous investigator, Mehlis, in the process of his
investigation created a particular scenario which he had to justify by way of a
tribunal.
Distinction has to be drawn between the two Chief Investigators�
investigation methodology saying Mehlis investigated with pre-conceived
positions, whereas Brammertz, who himself comes from the ICC, first set out to
investigate the case before arriving at a certain position.
The Syrians are not opposed to the trial per se but would continue to raise
objections around a tribunal.
Kovoso
The Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Kosovo future status process
Martti Ahtisaari officially presented his proposal on the Serbian provinces
final status to the Serbian government and Kosovo's ethnic Albanian-led
provisional authorities on Friday, 2 February 2007.
The most recent UN report said the two sides remained "diametrically
opposed" in their views.
The UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has run the province
since 1999 when troops from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) drove
out Yugoslav forces amid ethnic fighting.
After briefing Belgrade and Pristina, the envoy will then wait for feedback
from the parties before sending the proposal to Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon,
who will then transmit it to the UN Security Council.
Questions and answers
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, is the South African government of the view
that genocide is being committed in Darfur? Do you believe that the Chinese
President, with the economic muscle China wields in Sudan, would be able to
convince the government to stop such acts? Will this be discussed between
Presidents Mbeki and Hu Jintao tomorrow?
Answer: There are reports of genocide in Sudan although the UN has not
called it genocide and the government denies such accusations.
I suspect that the Chinese president will give his support to finding a
solution to the situation in Darfur although I am not sure this will be
discussed tomorrow.
Question: Deputy Minister, South Africa has said that although it cannot
contribute troops to Somalia, it will look at assisting in other ways. This
reconciliation conference looks like a Congress for a Democratic South Africa
(CODESA) format - will this be one of the ways in which South Africa will
assist?
Answer: We are looking at alternate ways of assisting the UN in Somalia.
However, we can only get involved if requested to by the regional grouping
which is IGAD. We cannot get involved unless we are requested to do so by the
regional grouping.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, what is the position of the South African
government regarding MONUC in the DRC when the matter comes before the Security
Council later this month?
Answer: It is our view that the withdrawal of MONUC at this stage will be
premature when the processes of peace and security have not been fully
consolidated. This is the situation in many areas of conflict where forces
withdraw when stability has not been fully implemented and the situation again
deteriorates.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, is South Africa represented at the
Conference on Child Soldiers currently underway in Paris?
Answer: Minister Skweyiya is leading a delegation to the Conference.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, you said last week that you expected more
names to be listed in terms of US and UN terror lists - is there much progress
in this regard?
Answer: We were informed by members of the media of comments by an unnamed
US official that it seemed like more South Africans would be listed.
In our consultations with the US government we would hope to ascertain these
names so that we can take the appropriate action like we have with the
Docrats.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, you last week held discussions with your
Syrian counterpart who had a message for President Mbeki from President Assad.
Can you comment further on this?
Answer: The Syrian Deputy Minister delivered a message based on
strengthening our bilateral relations.
The President is also requesting that South Africa, since we have a good
relationship with all role-players, assist in the implementation of all current
peace plans. There is no new initiative to be undertaken but merely to support
what is currently on the table.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
5 February 2007
