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.