‘Government wishes to emphasise that since no formal invitation has been issued for a South African state visit to Iraq, the issue of whether or not the President would visit that country does not arise,’ Cabinet said in a statement.
The move follows a verbal invitation, through foreign affairs deputy minister Aziz Pahad, by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to President Mbeki to visit the Gulf state.
Deputy minister Pahad had met with President Hussein during his recent weeklong visit to Iraq.
Cabinet expressed its appreciation at the progress being made in ensuring that the United Nations (UN) weapons inspectors were able to fulfill their mandate in Iraq.
The inspectors, led by UN chief inspector Hans Blix, are expected to commence their duties next week and submit a report on 8 December.
Weapons inspections in Iraqi were suspended four years ago following a dispute over President Hussein’s ‘presidential sites’ after the Iraqis had obstructed visits to a few compounds they designated sensitive.
Recently, the United States (US) had threatened Iraq with military action accusing them of harbouring weapons of mass destruction. The move was met with disapproval from the international community.
South Africa, which is also the Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), has always maintained that the Iraqi issue should be solved within the mandate of the UN and its Security Council. -BuaNews
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE SAVE THIS ARTICLE FEEDBACK
To subscribe email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or click here
To advertise email advertising@creamermedia.co.za or click here
