Date: 04/06/2004
Source: Ministry of Defence
Title: M Lekota: 4th Session of SA/Botswana JPC on Defence and Security


ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE FOR THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, HONOURABLE MOSIUOA LEKOTA, ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE MINISTERS' SESSION OF THE 4TH SESSION OF THE SOUTH AFRICA/BOTSWANA JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION ON DEFENCE AND SECURITY, Willow Park (Kempton Park), Pretoria, 4 June 2004

Honourable Minister DK Kwelagobe, Minister for Presidential Affairs and Public Administration
Honourable Minister TD Mogami, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs
My Fellow Minister-Colleagues
Your Excellencies of The High Commissions of Botswana and South Africa
Permanent Secretary and Defence Secretary of Both Botswana and South Africa
Chief and Commander of The South African National Defence Force, General S Nyanda, and Botswana Defence Force, Lt-General Fisher
Chief Of Corporate Staff of The South African National Defence Force, Lt-General TT Matanzima
Chiefs of The Armed Services and Senior Officials of both delegations
Distinguished Government Officials of both countries

On behalf of the South African delegation it is my honour and pleasure to extend a hearty, and belated, welcome to all delegates gathered here today at Kempton Park for this occasion of the 4th Session of the South Africa/Botswana Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security.

I extend a particularly warm welcome to the delegates who, like myself, joined the deliberations this morning. We look forward to engage our officials who have been working tirelessly for the last two days on key strategic issues concerning peace and security in our region.

Since we undertook to consolidate our bilateral relations in June 2000, through a Joint Permanent Commission, our mutually beneficial activities have become a common expression of what we both wish to be - friendly neighbours and partners in progress.

It is with both a sense of pride and achievement that South Africa is hosting this annual meeting of the Commission. Our relationship is viewed by both our governments as critical at both the domestic and international level. A central characteristic of the overall bilateral relationship between South Africa and Botswana is the commonality of views and perceptions of regional and continental issues and challenges.

Both our countries face immense challenges in the dynamic global, political, security and economic environment, which places huge demands on human and financial resources. Furthermore, both our countries are expected to play a critical role in various international, continental and regional fora to attain peace, stability and security in a rapidly changing world order.

As you are fully aware, much progress has been achieved since the 3rd Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security in Ghanzi, Botswana. Our officials will today highlight our achievements during the past year in the respective areas of public security, state security and defence.

Both our Governments have noted our productive work and fully endorse the strategic direction mutually decided upon by this commission. The forging of close bilateral relations and the ongoing exchange of views, ideas, information and intelligence, serves as a critical confidence and security building mechanism.

BACKDROP TO THIS COMMISSION

This Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security takes place against a backdrop of important events on our continent and around the world:

On Tuesday this week the transfer of the Peacekeeping Mandate in Burundi from the AU to the UN was completed. Major Gen D Mgwebi of the South African National Defence Force has been appointed Force Commander of the UN Peace Mission.

We have consolidated our relationship with CARICOM through our support for democracy, peace and stability in Haiti, and, responded positively to the request by the AU and CARICOM to host former President Aristide and his family to visit South Africa until the situation normalises in Haiti.

In May this year the AU Peace and Security Council was launched in Addis Ababa.

On 26 August last year the SADC 'Mutual Defence Pact' was officially adopted opening the way for mutual, pre-emptive cooperation in defence and security matters.

Significant progress continues with the Common African Defence and Security Policy, Africa Standby Force and the Early Warning Systems concepts.

We are closely monitoring various pockets of instability in the DRC with concern. Our commitment to peace support in the country however remains as strong.

An allegation of Mercenary activity has raised the question about how we contain a business and illegal activity that has very negative implications for regional and continental stability.

And, the current strife in the Sudan is also receiving our close attention.

SOUTH AFRICA THIS YEAR

At this juncture I must also share the pride and euphoria still reverberating throughout Southern Africa and the rest of Africa. This year our nation has, in very quick succession, united in emotion and jubilation over three key events and milestones in our history:

The free, fair and peaceful election process and inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki for a second term in office;
Our Celebration of 10 Years of Freedom and Democracy in South Africa;
And, our successful bid to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup

Pride and jubilation notwithstanding, the President of this country has made it very clear that this is the time for delivery. Policies and frameworks are in place, the challenge to all government departments is to deliver on promises and deliver in time.

This meeting is therefore well timed as we prepare to roll up our sleeves and deliver further on the peace and security agenda.

THIS JOINT PERMANENT COMMISSION

At this early stage in the progress and development of the Joint Commission all of our annual meetings are milestones in our quest for mutual security and cooperation. This is our annual opportunity to take stock of our work to date, celebrate achievements and deal very seriously with areas of concern.

The region is becoming increasingly alive to the importance of bilateral permanent commissions. We must therefore never allow ourselves to be accused of being a 'talk shop' where plenty is discussed and little achieved.

At a time when the lives and security of people all over the world is increasingly threatened, the profile of Southern Africa as a safe destination for tourists, investors, global events and skilled immigrants is growing.

Our growing sophistication with intelligence gathering and surveillance has made it increasingly difficult for the criminal element hoping to benefit from economic clout of a stable region.

The Commission's focus on anti-terrorism automatically places us at the high table of current international priorities. This is a global scourge that requires the vigilance and cooperation displayed by this Commission.

It is not by accident that an ever-increasing number of international high profile events and investments are positioned in our part of the world. One of the key reasons for this is that we are perceived as safe, and, sufficiently organised to ensure security.

The kind of work that this commission does and outputs that result from our work does not go unnoticed. Very often the most impact defence and security initiatives begin at the bilateral level.

Given the extent of cooperation between our respective Governments and peoples in these areas, I have no doubt that this close relationship is on the right course.

To conclude, Honourable Ministers, this Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security is a confirmation of our commitment to the bilateral relationship with the Republic of Botswana.

Once again, it is a privilege for me to welcome you to South Africa. I am certain that the progress report we will receive here from our officials will reflect progress and the spirit of cooperation.

I thank you.

Issued by: Ministry of Defence
4 June 2004