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The
Minister of Education and Chairperson of the National
Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), Professor Kader Asmal,
MP today, following wild claims made by the opposition on the
trasfer of armaments to Haiti, once again clarified the
Government's position in order to put this matter to rest.
In doing so the Minister drew attention to his comprehensive press
statement of 8 March 2004. In this regard he stated that President
Thabo Mbeki received an appeal from the Prime Minister of Jamaica
on behalf of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) on Monday 23
February for the provision of a modest amount of materiel for the
police force of Haiti.
The NCACC then met on Thursday 26 February and considered the
matter. The Committee followed the requirements of the NCAC Act and
applied the relevant criteria as required, as it has done since its
inception eight years ago.
In reviewing the request from a legitimate regional body, the
Committee agreed to the transfer as it met the standards of
contributing to regional security, which was the basis of the
request from Caricom. Further, it would assist with the protection
of the sovereiginty of a member country of the United
Nations.
The Committee agreed to the transfer to assist the Haitian
Government in strengthening their internal capacity to maintain
peace and security, with a clear understanding that the items would
only be used for the purpose for which they were intended.
Following the meeting, the Minister, on behalf of the Minister of
Defence and the NCACC, then provided the requisite authorisation to
the South African Police Service, on 28 February, to deliver the
materiel to the Government of Jamaica, acting on behalf of
Caricom.
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