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Date : 09/08/2003
Source: The Presidency
Title: J Zuma: Kuala Lumpur World Peace Conference, Malaysia


ADDRESS BY DEPUTY PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA TO THE KUALA LUMPUR WORLD PEACE CONFERENCE, MALAYSIA, 9 August 2003

The Organising Chairperson of the Conference,
The Honourable Minister of Defence of Malaysia,
Distinguished colleagues on the panel,
Esteemed Delegates,

Let me begin by thanking the Malaysian World Peace Foundation for bringing us all together this weekend to discuss such matters of great international importance.

The issue of world security and peace is a crucial one for all us. This session, entitled "Reaping the Peace Dividend: Discuss, Disarm and Distribute" affords us the opportunity us to interrogate the world's approach to the scourges of our time especially conflict and poverty.

The point of departure currently worldwide is the September 11 terrorist attack in the United States, which brought about fundamental changes in the world environment, and which gave terrorism a particular prominence in the international arena.

The international campaign against terrorism is shaping world politics and the manner in which countries relate to each other, both bilaterally and multilaterally. Recent attacks and bombings in Indonesia, Kenya, Morocco and elsewhere have also ensured that the combating of international terrorism remains at the forefront of international agendas.

We from the developing world, and Africa in particular, were, like the rest of the world, shaken by the tragedy of September 11. At the same time, it is important to note that efforts to combat terrorism and eradicate conflicts, especially on the African continent predate the American catastrophe.

The conference will recall the devastating 1998 bombing of the United States Embassies in Kenya and Tanzania and the resultant tragic loss of life.

We have also witnessed grave human tragedies such as the genocide in Rwanda and Burundi as well as conflicts in other parts of the continent, which have cost thousands of lives and displaced thousands of people, such as in Angola, Sudan, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.

Our view is that conflicts need to be analysed and addressed collectively as a common threat to world security, regardless of which continent the victims or perpetrators come from.

The international campaign against terrorism will also yield durable results if it focuses on the root causes of conflicts and instability, with appropriate remedial strategies being developed and implemented. In this regard the international community should intensify efforts to end perennial conflicts around the world such as in the Middle East.

The resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian question would signal to the world that there is consistency and fairness with regards to seeking solutions to conflicts.

Within Africa, a firm commitment exists to eradicate terrorism. In July 1999, the Organisation of African Unity adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism, requiring of member states not to justify terrorism under any circumstance, whether through its origins, causes, or objectives.

A distinction was explicitly made between actions of national liberation movements and those of terrorists, to avoid misunderstanding.

An interpretation clause therein states that all acts to combat terrorism must be carried out in conformity with international law, especially humanitarian law. For example, those fighting terrorism should not violate human rights and target civilians. It is unforgivable to do so.

The Constitutive Act of the African Union also lists among its principles the rejection of acts of terrorism.

The Role of the United Nations

We strongly believe that the international campaign against terrorism should occur within the framework of the United Nations and other regional organisations. There can be no substitute for multilateralism.

Multilateralism provides a rules-based political, economic and social system, which ensures certainty and predictability, based on the principle of the sovereignty of states. There must be no action by any state, which would undermine this important principle of sovereignty and equality.

It should be emphasised that the UN, through the Security Council, remains the only institution that has an international mandate to conduct action with respect to threats to peace, breaches of peace, and acts of aggression.

We must, however, acknowledge that the UN system has some shortcomings, which have been acknowledged by the institution as well.

The recent war in Iraq has also brought into the open some of the deficiencies and has highlighted the need to strengthen and revitalise the UN General Assembly and to reform the Security Council.

* The General Assembly is the highest deliberative and decision-making organ of the United Nations and ways and means need to be found to ensure that its resolutions are implemented by member states
* The Security Council needs to be reformed to reflect the composition of the modern global community, in order to democratise the international system of governance.

It must also be noted that the UN can only truly be strengthened if all member states abide by its Charter and the principles of international law. A firm commitment by member states in this regard is crucial.

Despite the shortcomings, the UN remains the highest political arbiter, and often the only objective role player within the sphere of conflict resolution. The culture and character of the UN should therefore not be undermined by a belief that a unilateral approach would be more effective.

The United Nations continues to perform other very unique and important roles. It remains the only organisation authorised to, and capable of conducting international tribunals for the prosecution of persons responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law. Recent examples are the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda, the former Yugoslavia and the Special Court for Sierra Leone.

Furthermore, the UN's ability to implement actions within the realm of disarmament, demobilisation, reintegration, repatriation and resettlement continues to be the only route to follow, for example in Sierra Leone and with MONUC in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Sustainable Peace and Stability

Chairperson, we are of the view that for the sake of sustainability, the international campaign against terrorism should be underpinned by a worldwide joint commitment to eradicate poverty and under-development.

The adoption of the Millennium Declaration by the UN General Assembly in 2000, containing a commitment by governments to achieve a number of development goals by the year 2015, was a significant development. The resolutions of the World Summit on Sustainable Development and other forums were also welcome developments.

The significance of these approaches is that they take a global view of poverty and its consequences, and commit the global community to working together to achieve them.

Development and eradication of poverty would provide a sustainable solution to global instability, and is a mission the world must continue to pursue. The campaign against terrorism should not push development off the international agenda.

Another formula for world security is the strengthening of democratic norms throughout the world.

This includes the promotion of a culture of respect for human rights, tolerance of all forms of diversity including religion, political beliefs and race, as well as the promotion of sound economic, social and political governance.

The world is currently correctly galvanised to work towards the ending of conflicts. A constructive approach is to harmonise the global response and strengthen multilateralism, to ensure that national interests do not surpass the collective interest. In that way, we would arrive at sustainable solutions and lasting peace.

I thank you.

Enquries: Lakela Kaunda on 082 782 2575
Issued by: The Presidency, 9 August 2003
Source: SAPA

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