Speaking during debate in the National Assembly on Tuesday on President Thabo Mbeki's state of the nation address, Pahad said South Africans lived in a globalised world.
"And, our ability to consolidate our democracy and ensure that we become a prosperous nation, which improves the quality of life of all our people, is impacted on by many factors outside our own country."
The cornerstone of South Africa's foreign policy was to end conflicts peacefully, achieve a new world order that was more equitable and people-centred, and to create conditions for sustainable development.
"This demands that we strengthen and not weaken multilateralism," he said.
Pahad criticised the Democratic Alliance for "dangerously" arguing that South Africa's seeking a peaceful solution to the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, in terms of Resolution 1441, was anti-American.
"What objectives are they pursuing by constantly spreading the false allegation that we are anti-American?
"We have constantly said that the objectives of our interaction with the Iraqi government, and many other governments in the world, was to ensure that we prevent a war that will have disastrous consequences for world peace and stability, and for the development of Africa.
"We called on the Iraqi government to accept and fully implement Security Council Resolution 1441. We urged them to co-operate fully with the UN inspectors, and we also urged them to satisfactorily respond to the concerns expressed by the inspectors in their reports to the Security Council on December 8, 2002," Pahad said.
If the "prophets of distortions" cared to read the latest report of the inspectors to the Security Council on February 14, and followed the debate, they would honestly admit that much progress had been made.
"There are still outstanding issues to be resolved. This is work in progress, and therefore the South African government supports the call for the mandate of the inspectors to be extended, so that they can successfully complete their work."
Among other things, the inspectors had conducted more than 400 inspections, covering more than 300 sites. These inspections were performed without notice, and access was almost always provided promptly.
More than 200 chemical and more than 100 biological samples had been collected. The results to date had been consistent with Iraq's declarations.
Pahad said the Iraqi government had also agreed to the use of the United States U-2 surveillance planes, the use of French Mirage aircraft, and German drones and the Russian Antanov aircraft.
"The government of Iraq reiterated last week its commitment to comply with its Security Council obligations, and to provide full and active co-operation with the inspecting organisations.
"South Africa will continue to ensure that the Iraqi commitment will be translated into concrete and sustained action.
"Only people with different hidden agendas can misrepresent our efforts and seek to discredit them," Pahad said - Sapa
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