13 September 2007
Pretoria- Nabil Shaath, Special Envoy of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
will on Friday 14 September 2007 meet President Thabo Mbeki at the Union
Buildings in Pretoria to deliver a message from President Abbas.
South Africa has been part of efforts to add impetus to international
efforts to help bring an end to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In this
regard, President Mbeki has hosted a number of meetings between representatives
of both Palestinians and Israelis under the umbrella of the Spier
Initiative.
The Spier initiatives provided a platform in which Palestinian and Israeli
representatives could exchange views and to share in the South African
experience of the peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy. In that
context current and former members of the South African government who had
participated in the Codesa process took part including representatives of the
former intelligence services.
South Africa remains convinced that the solution to the Middle East conflict
lies in the establishment of a Palestinian state co-existing side by side with
the Israeli state existing within secure borders.
Nabil Shaath is also expected to hold further discussions with Deputy
Minister Aziz Pahad, Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Ronnie Kasrils,
respectively.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Media programme for visit to South Africa by Palestinian Special Envoy
Naabil Shaath
13 September 2007
Friday, 14 September 2007
12h30: Arrival of media ahead of photo opportunity on commencement of
discussions between President Mbeki and Naabil Shaath
Venue: West Wing Union Buildings, Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
(Parking on Government Avenue)
Contact: Sewela Sebola
Cell: 084 507 4515
13h30: Commencement of discussions between President Mbeki and Special Envoy
Naabil Shaath
(Photo opportunity)
13h45: Arrival of media ahead of press opportunity with Deputy Minister
Pahad and Special Envoy Naabil Shaath
Venue : Media Centre Amphitheatre, Union Buildings, Pretoria
(Please present press cards)
(Parking on Government Avenue)
Contact: Sewela Sebola 084 507 4515
14h15: Joint press conference
For further information contact:
Sewela Sebola
Cell: 084 507 4515
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
13 September 2007
Source: SAPA
