Date: 18/07/2006 Source: Department of Foreign Affairs
Title: Pahad: Briefing Notes on International Issues
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad’s notes following briefing on international issues
Condolences to Indonesia
South African President Thabo Mbeki today Tuesday, 18 July 2006 extended the condolences of the South African government and people to his Indonesian counterpart President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami south of Java island in Indonesia on Monday, 17 July 2006.
In a message of support to President Yudhoyono, President Mbeki said, "Please accept the heartfelt condolences of the South African government and people following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami south of Java island on Monday, 17 July 2006 in which hundreds are reported to have died, scores injured and dispossessed and infrastructure destroyed."
"The thoughts and prayers of the South African government and people are with the government and people of Indonesia. In this moment of devastation and bereavement, we offer our condolences to those who have lost loved ones and wish those wounded a speedy recovery."
"The South African government stands ready to assist the government and people of Indonesia at this time of national mourning," concluded President Thabo Mbeki.
Birthday greetings to former President Mandela
Let me take this opportunity to extend, from you all, birthday greetings for former President Nelson Mandela who turns 88 years old today.
Middle East
Let me again deal with the issue of the Middle East.
Despite statements by the G-8, the European Union, the extra-ordinary Arab League Ministerial, a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council, the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate.
The Israeli military yesterday launched 50 air strikes that resulted in the deaths of many and the destruction of much of Lebanon's infrastructure. The airport has now been destroyed, the ports are inaccessible.
The Lebanese Foreign Minister is quoted as saying, "The gates of hell have been opened."
The South African government does not accept this principle of "collective punishment". We do not believe that an entire nation can be attacked because of tensions with Hizbollah. We cannot accept such actions from one of the strongest military powers in the region. The South African government hopes that the international community can begin to act more decisively to end the situation.
As Israeli attacks increase, so to does activity by Hizbollah. And as you are aware, Hizbollah has announced that they have many more secret weapons in their arsenal.
The South African government is, of course, very concerned about the plight of South Africans in the region. We are negotiating with some of our European partners regarding their evacuation. Our ambassador to Syria has assisted some South Africans to reach Syria. Road evacuations are becoming increasingly difficult due to the continued Israeli attacks. We hope that the ships that are being sent by some of the bigger countries will be able to assist some of the 20 estimated South Africans still in Lebanon. We again encourage South Africans in the region and/or Lebanon to register their presence with the nearest South African embassy.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
We are now very close to the elections - a few weeks away - as I have said before, these elections are extremely vital to the country and their outcomes will be decisive for the people of the DRC, Southern African Development Comminuty (SADC) and Africa. As I have also said before, these are the first elections in the country in over 40 years during which there has been a very corrupt regime in place. It is because of the significance of these elections for the people of the DRC and the country as a whole that the African Union (AU), SADC and the international community have invested so much in ensuring the elections are indeed held successfully.
As you know, I have just returned from the DRC where, as part of a SADC delegation of foreign and defence ministers, we evaluated preparations for the elections to be held later this month and encouraged the political leadership and the people of the DRC to pursue the path towards peaceful, credible, and transparent elections that should reflect the will of the people.
The delegation held meetings with the Government of the DRC, the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and the head of MONUC (the United Nations Organisation Mission in the DRC), Ambassador Swing, representatives of civil society and some presidential candidates.
Based on our discussions and observations we came to the conclusion that despite numerous challenges, inter alia, the logistical difficulties, this being the largest country in Africa with the largest electorate, and no experience in the holding of elections, that the people of the DRC were eagerly desirous and ready for democratic elections for which they have waited for over 40 years.
The delegation also noted that despite the short period before the elections, there was a need to intensify voter education and to disseminate more information on the electoral process throughout the country.
The delegation further noted that incidents of insecurity in some parts of the country were receiving attention and they would not undermine the electoral process. MONUC assured us that security in the eastern DRC was being addressed and that security would prevail and that the elections would proceed.
SADC will remain seized with the matter and this is evidenced by the fact that it will deploy the largest observer mission in its history - 200 observers. South Africa will have an observer team of 128 that will be led by Minister Nqakula. The European Union is deploying a team as well as many other NGOs.
The SADC delegation in our consultations appealed to all the candidates to accept the outcomes of the elections especially if they were declared free and fair by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The South African Air Force has now delivered the last of the remaining ballot papers to Kinshasa and this has successfully brought an end to the conclusion of its mandate. We are grateful that the South African Air Force has ensured that the ballot papers could be delivered within sufficient timeframes to allow the electoral processes to prevail.
C
Title: Pahad: Briefing Notes on International Issues
Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad’s notes following briefing on international issues
Condolences to Indonesia
South African President Thabo Mbeki today Tuesday, 18 July 2006 extended the condolences of the South African government and people to his Indonesian counterpart President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami south of Java island in Indonesia on Monday, 17 July 2006.
In a message of support to President Yudhoyono, President Mbeki said, "Please accept the heartfelt condolences of the South African government and people following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami south of Java island on Monday, 17 July 2006 in which hundreds are reported to have died, scores injured and dispossessed and infrastructure destroyed."
"The thoughts and prayers of the South African government and people are with the government and people of Indonesia. In this moment of devastation and bereavement, we offer our condolences to those who have lost loved ones and wish those wounded a speedy recovery."
"The South African government stands ready to assist the government and people of Indonesia at this time of national mourning," concluded President Thabo Mbeki.
Birthday greetings to former President Mandela
Let me take this opportunity to extend, from you all, birthday greetings for former President Nelson Mandela who turns 88 years old today.
Middle East
Let me again deal with the issue of the Middle East.
Despite statements by the G-8, the European Union, the extra-ordinary Arab League Ministerial, a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council, the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate.
The Israeli military yesterday launched 50 air strikes that resulted in the deaths of many and the destruction of much of Lebanon's infrastructure. The airport has now been destroyed, the ports are inaccessible.
The Lebanese Foreign Minister is quoted as saying, "The gates of hell have been opened."
The South African government does not accept this principle of "collective punishment". We do not believe that an entire nation can be attacked because of tensions with Hizbollah. We cannot accept such actions from one of the strongest military powers in the region. The South African government hopes that the international community can begin to act more decisively to end the situation.
As Israeli attacks increase, so to does activity by Hizbollah. And as you are aware, Hizbollah has announced that they have many more secret weapons in their arsenal.
The South African government is, of course, very concerned about the plight of South Africans in the region. We are negotiating with some of our European partners regarding their evacuation. Our ambassador to Syria has assisted some South Africans to reach Syria. Road evacuations are becoming increasingly difficult due to the continued Israeli attacks. We hope that the ships that are being sent by some of the bigger countries will be able to assist some of the 20 estimated South Africans still in Lebanon. We again encourage South Africans in the region and/or Lebanon to register their presence with the nearest South African embassy.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
We are now very close to the elections - a few weeks away - as I have said before, these elections are extremely vital to the country and their outcomes will be decisive for the people of the DRC, Southern African Development Comminuty (SADC) and Africa. As I have also said before, these are the first elections in the country in over 40 years during which there has been a very corrupt regime in place. It is because of the significance of these elections for the people of the DRC and the country as a whole that the African Union (AU), SADC and the international community have invested so much in ensuring the elections are indeed held successfully.
As you know, I have just returned from the DRC where, as part of a SADC delegation of foreign and defence ministers, we evaluated preparations for the elections to be held later this month and encouraged the political leadership and the people of the DRC to pursue the path towards peaceful, credible, and transparent elections that should reflect the will of the people.
The delegation held meetings with the Government of the DRC, the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations and the head of MONUC (the United Nations Organisation Mission in the DRC), Ambassador Swing, representatives of civil society and some presidential candidates.
Based on our discussions and observations we came to the conclusion that despite numerous challenges, inter alia, the logistical difficulties, this being the largest country in Africa with the largest electorate, and no experience in the holding of elections, that the people of the DRC were eagerly desirous and ready for democratic elections for which they have waited for over 40 years.
The delegation also noted that despite the short period before the elections, there was a need to intensify voter education and to disseminate more information on the electoral process throughout the country.
The delegation further noted that incidents of insecurity in some parts of the country were receiving attention and they would not undermine the electoral process. MONUC assured us that security in the eastern DRC was being addressed and that security would prevail and that the elections would proceed.
SADC will remain seized with the matter and this is evidenced by the fact that it will deploy the largest observer mission in its history - 200 observers. South Africa will have an observer team of 128 that will be led by Minister Nqakula. The European Union is deploying a team as well as many other NGOs.
The SADC delegation in our consultations appealed to all the candidates to accept the outcomes of the elections especially if they were declared free and fair by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The South African Air Force has now delivered the last of the remaining ballot papers to Kinshasa and this has successfully brought an end to the conclusion of its mandate. We are grateful that the South African Air Force has ensured that the ballot papers could be delivered within sufficient timeframes to allow the electoral processes to prevail.
C
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