President Mbeki's visit to the United Kingdom
23 May 2006
President Mbeki's visit to the United Kingdom
* As you may be aware, President Mbeki will be arriving in London sometime
this morning ahead of discussions with Prime Minister Tony Blair.
* Minister Dlamini Zuma arrived in London yesterday. A large South African
and British contingent will participate in the South Africa - United Kingdom
(UK) Bilateral Commission.
* The significance of these events is further amplified by British Prime
Minister Tony Blair who has written; in an important year for Africa this will
be an important week when the Global Business Coalition (GBC) on AIDS,
Chairperson Konare of the African Union (AU) and President Mbeki, with seven of
his Ministers will be in London. We need to see progress, if the international
community is to deliver on the promises it made to the people of Africa last
year to help them overcome the problems which disfigure their continent and
devastate the lives of millions.
There's no doubt that 2005 saw unprecedented agreement on a plan for Africa.
Thanks in no small part to the weight of public opinion behind the make poverty
history campaign and live, world leaders at Gleneagles signed up to doubling
aid, to write off debts, to help train desperately needed peacekeepers, to
boost investment in health and education and to make AIDS drugs available to
all.
Words, of course, are easy. Action is much harder. That is why we are
working very hard to turn those words into action so that 2005 will indeed be
seen as the turning point which millions across the world had hoped and worked
for.
The international community has already cancelled the multilateral debts of
19 countries in Africa. Nearly $4 billion was committed in 2005 to replenish
the global fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria. Aid increased
from US$79 billion in 2004 to over $100 billion in 2005, well on the way to the
$129 billion target by 2010. We have also launched a new UN Emergency Fund to
respond more quickly to natural and human disasters, like Darfur and the
Pakistan earthquake, and ratified the UN convention on corruption.
We are doing our best to show the way. Britain has announced an £8.5 billion
down payment over the next 10 years to fund plans throughout Africa to provide
universal education for children. Along with other European countries and a
generous grant from the Gates Foundation, we have launched the International
Finance Facility for Immunisation, which will save five million children a year
from death by 2015. The first bonds will be issued soon.
All these initiatives are already having a real impact on the lives of real
people. Because of debt relief, healthcare in Zambia is now delivered free of
charge.
But we can't sit back. This week we have a chance to move forward on a
number of fronts.
Tomorrow sees a major effort by business to help the world meets its pledge
to make AIDS treatment available to all who need it by 2010. The meeting in
London of the Global Business Coalition (GBC) on AIDS brings together more than
200 global companies including Standard Chartered, BP, Virgin, Unilever,
Anglo-Amercian, MTV and Glaxo, to mobilise the international business community
to help end the AIDS pandemic.
Frankly, we need the investment co-operation and drive of business, working
in partnership with governments, charities and aid agencies, to ensure each
African country can prevent and treat AIDS. This is a call for action and
funding.
For our part, we are working closely with UNAIDS and African governments on
developing comprehensive national plans for achieving long term universal
access to AIDS treatment. No good plan should go unfunded.
Also tomorrow, the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, is visiting Nigeria where he
will continue to press for long term plans for education just as he has done in
earlier visits to Tanzania and Mozambique.
When I meet Alpha Konare, the Chair of the AU, we will discuss how we make
stick the critical Darfur peace agreement negotiated in Abuja just over a week
ago. Hilary Benn, who spent almost a week in Abuja helping the negotiations has
worked very hard to ensure that Africa and the international community work
closely together and up their efforts to avert this humanitarian tragedy. We
need to use the peace agreement and the new UN resolution to put pressure on
the regime in Khartoum and the rebel groups to stop fighting and provide access
to the UN as it takes over from the AU later this year. In the meantime we need
to do more to help beef up the AU's mission in Darfur. The Gleneagles
commitment to establish the AU's 20,000 strong permanent peacekeeping force by
the end of this year is a vital step towards a more effective African response
to conflicts and crises like Darfur.
On Tuesday, the two day South Africa-UK forum begins in London when Margaret
Beckett and Foreign Minister Zuma will lead two teams of Ministers in extensive
talks on the wide range of issues where we work closely with South Africa.
About 15 Ministers will participate on our side. The breadth of these talks
demonstrates that South Africa is a key partner both for our shared goals in
Africa but also on the big global issues.
At the end of the forum on Wednesday, I will meet President Mbeki. As always
we will have a lot to talk about. But I also want to concentrate on the Doha
Trade Round, the one key element of our 2005 Africa agenda where I am quite
dissatisfied with the progress we are making. From recent conversations with
President Bush, Chancellor Merkel and President Lula, I feel sure that the
world's leaders want an ambitious deal which will deliver real benefits for the
poorest countries. I am determined to do what I can to turn this political
commitment into real movement in these negotiations. We cannot afford to
fail.
* From this we see that Prime Minister Blair is also concentrating on
ensuring that the London meeting takes forward all previous commitments on
Africa, the Gleneagles Plan of Action, etc. In this regard it is being
increasingly realised that empty commitments cannot continue to be made without
actions.
* The roundtable that will be held as part of the Bilateral Forum is also
very exciting. It has been titled, "Africa 2005: Putting Our Promises into
Practice," and will focus on achievement of the Millennium Development Goals
(MDG) and ensuring implementation of the commitments made in the report of the
commission for Africa and at Gleneagles in 2005. Discussions will also include
the operationalisation of the AU, the implementation of NEPAD and the promotion
of peace and stability in Africa.
* That the roundtable will focus on the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDG) is very significant. This indicates a movement away
from rhetoric and the focus on what has been achieved.
* Discussions between Prime Minister Blair and President Mbeki will also
focus on:
* the forthcoming G-8 Summit
* Africa's developmental agenda and the implementation thereof
* the restructuring of the United Nations
* the Middle East Peace Plan
* the Iranian nuclear issue.
Côte D'Ivoire
* We have just returned from the seventh session of the Ministerial
International Working Group (IWG) on Côte D'Ivoire in Abidjan on 19 May
2006.
* The meeting received the sixth report of the Mediation Group. This report
indicates that progress continues to be made.
* The group welcomed the launching of the pilot project of public hearings
in seven locations in Abidjan, in the South and in the North of the country, as
well as the arrangements currently being made by the Chiefs of Staff in order
to start the pre-cantonment of combatants.
* The IWG also expressed concern at the delays in the execution of many of
the essential tasks scheduled in the road map and urged all Ivorian parties to
continue to co-operate closely with the government with a view to ensuring the
identification and DDR processes are extended to the entire territory
immediately after the completion of the pilot project of public hearings and
pre-cantonment of combatants.
* We also met with the Minister of Defence and Chiefs of Staff of the
Defence and Security Forces of Côte D'Ivoire (FDSCI) and the Armed Forces of
the Forces Nouvelles (FAFN). These parties were urged to implement the
commitments agreed to since time is fast running out.
* The group called for an extension, throughout the country, of the
activities of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the National
Commission for the supervision of identification, both of which are essential
bodies to ensure preparations for elections are carried out and that the
October deadline for elections is met.
* The group also called for an end to violence and hate speech.
* It is clear that the IWG recognises that progress has been made but that
this must be accelerated.
* The next meeting will take place on 23 June 2006.
Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial meeting
* The Ministerial meeting of the Co-ordinating Bureau (CoB) will primarily
prepare for the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit to be hosted in Cuba in
September 2006.
* The Ministerial meeting of the co-ordinating bureau in Putrajaya will
primarily focus on preparations for the XIV Summit to be held in Havana, Cuba
in September 2006.
* Both the Ministerial meeting and the summit have been entitled, "Towards a
more dynamic and cohesive NAM: Challenges of the 21st century."
* There has been much debate about the relevance of the NAM in a post-Cold
War environment.
* Let me reiterate: the NAM consists of 113 countries and was initially
formed to focus on the interests of smaller countries that were being sidelined
due to the power of larger countries.
* The key issue now facing the NAM is: how does it respond to a
fundamentally transformed global environment.
* The NAM is currently faced with three principle challenges:
* Poverty and underdevelopment this impacts negatively on 1000s of people
around the world. It is now commonly held that the benefits of globalisation
are spread unevenly. The projections of growth in many developing countries
refer only to those with vast natural resources. It is clear that many
sub-Saharan countries will not meet the MDGs.
* Peace and stability this refers to conflicts in Africa and beyond. The
deteriorating situation in the Middle East is now widely cited as one of the
contributing factors to international insecurity. The NAM committee on
Palestine will meet on the fringes of the CoB and endeavour to add their
collective voice to finding a political solution to the ongoing instability in
the region.
There is also growing concern regarding the non-proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction. Let me reiterate, the NAM is fully committed to the total
eradication of weapons of mass destruction. As a body we support the
Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty.
We must also address the growing threat of terrorism.
We will in the context of the above discuss how the NAM can add its voice to
the discussions in the UN on these matters.
* Restructuring of the global exercise of economic and political power let
me begin by quoting the United Nations Secretary-General, "We will not enjoy
development without security, we will not enjoy security without development
and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights.
We believe the NAM has a very important role to play in discussions
regarding the restructuring of the UN and all its bodies including the Bretton
Woods Institutions and the WTO.
We must also strengthen multilateralism and move away from unilateral
actions.
In this regard, the G-77 will also meeting during the NAM meeting.
Visit to China
I will, upon conclusion of the NAM CoB meeting in Malaysia proceed to the
People's Republic of China where he will visit Beijing and Shanghai.
The following issues are expected to be raised during bilateral political
and economic discussions with Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dai
Bingguo on Wednesday, 31 May 2006:
* A review of bilateral political and economic relations between China and
South Africa including the promotion of trade and investment between both
countries;
* The One-China policy;
* The forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) preparations ahead of the
summit scheduled for later this year;
* Assessment of the implementation of the New Africa-Asia Strategic
Partnership (NAAS) a year after its adoption by African and Asian Heads of
State and government at the summit in Indonesia and the synergies of this
partnership with NEPAD;
* Security issues including non-proliferation, conflicts, terrorism and the
use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes;
* The comprehensive reform of the United Nations including the Security
Council; and
* Preparations for the Chinese Premier's visit to South Africa in June
2006.
While in China, Deputy Minister Pahad is also scheduled to hold discussions
with:
* Foreign Minister Li Ziaoxing;
* Vice-Minister of African Affairs Lu Guozeng;
* Director-General of the Department of Policy Planning at the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs Jiang Xiajuan;
* Vice-Minister of the Research Office of the State Council, President of the
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and President of the China Institute of
Contemporary International Relations Deputy Minister Pahad is also expected to
meet with the Chairman of Shanghai Industrial Corporation (SIIC) which has been
active in South Africa since the 1990s, prominent members of the South African
business community in both Beijing and Shanghai and pay a courtesy call on the
Mayor of Shanghai.
In addition, China's economic system is the third largest in the world. In
2004 China had the world's seventh largest gross domestic product (GDP).
The Chinese economy continued to grow robustly at 9,8 percent and 9,6
percent in the first and second quarter of 2004. Latest figures of the first
two months of 2005 are showing that China's exports swelled to $95 billion an
increase of 36 percent from a year earlier while imports to china grew by eight
percent to $84 billion, leaving a surplus of $11 billion. The Chinese Ministry
of Commerce forecasting that 2005 surplus will be a lot bigger. China had a
surplus of $32 billion in 2004. Much of the export growth has been in textiles
and garments, shoes, electronic goods, computers and cellphone. In January 2005
China exported garments to the value of $9.5 billion.
Economic bilateral relations
South Africa is China's key trade partner in Africa accounting for 20,8
percent of the total volume of China-Africa trade. China has set up more than
80 companies in South Africa since 1998 while Chinese FDI to South Africa
amounted (cumulatively) to about US$ 199.3 million, while South African FDI
into China amounted to about US$ 700 million (excluding offshore investments
from South African corporates such as SAB Miller and Anglo American).
South Africa's exports to China consist mainly of raw materials such as
aluminium, nickel, manganese, zirconium, vanadium oxides, chromium ores,
granite, platinum and gold.
China's exports to South Africa have included mainly manufactured products
such as footwear, textiles, plastic products, electrical appliances, tableware
and kitchenware.
The complementary nature of the two economies provided the impetus for the
growth of trade. At the same time, bilateral trade amounts to only a very small
percentage of both China and South Africa's international trade profile,
suggesting that there is still enormous potential for an increased exchange of
goods and services.
According to 2004 statistics South Africa exports reached nearly R5,5
billion with China and imported more than R18 billion of manufactured goods
from China.
Trade Statistics South Africa -China 2001 â 2004
Total China-Africa trade reached about $29.5 billion in 2004, an increase of
59 percent over 2003. Growth since 2001 has increased at an average of 31,2
percent a year.
Questions and answers
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, could you kindly clarify the situation with
regard to Zimbabwe there seems to be some confusion following your briefing of
last week i.e. that a South Africa - United Nations plan will be presented to
President Mugabe that will address the economic and political decline in the
country.
Answer: The South African government is not aware of any United Nations
initiative that is linked to President Mugabe stepping down.
Let me say, there have been many unconfirmed reports that the United Nations
Security General is considering a visit to Zimbabwe to discuss how the
international community can assist the Zimbabweans to solve their economic and
political challenges.
These reports have not been confirmed. However, the situation in Zimbabwe is
growing increasingly serious with inflation being listed at 1000 percent. The
increased rate of inflation together with the decreasing foreign direct
investment cannot be sustained and is clearly having a negative effect on the
people of Zimbabwe.
Let me also say, South Africa will support any initiative through which a
solution can be found.
Question: Deputy Minister, you have mentioned the blue helmetting of the
African mission in Sudan and the peace and Security Council yesterday voted to
deploy troops to Somalia. Is this an indication that the will of the African
leadership to take control and responsibility of their affairs is slipping?
Answer: Let me say that any initiative with international support must be
endorsed and supported by the African leadership.
Peacekeeping is a very expensive operation and we cannot always sustain such
initiatives without the support of international partners.
We have always maintained that Africa will take ownership of its challenges
and solutions in partnership with international partners. It must be a
collaborative exercise.
Question: Deputy Minister Pahad, how do you see the situation in Iran
evolving now that the EU3 has made its proposal. Are you still optimistic for a
diplomatic solution?
Answer: No country has ever proposed anything other than a diplomatic
solution. We have encouraged a diplomatic solution through the IAEA.
Regarding the proposal by the EU3, I am not in possession of all the details
of this proposal.
The position of the NAM Troika, of which South Africa is part, has always
supported and consistently reiterated Iran's right to have nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes. There is much distrust between the various role players and
it is important that confidence building measures be taken.
We do however continue to urge the Iranian authorities to co-operate with
the IAEA authorities to resolve the two outstanding issues.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
23 May 2006
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za/)
