Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Prior to his departure to chair the SADC Ministerial Consultative Conference in Windhoek, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfred Nzo held an extended strategic planning meeting with the Top Management Structure of his Department.
The meeting had an extensive agenda, concentrating on the substantive political line function responsibilities of the Department.
In-depth discussions were held on South Africa's role on the African continent including the OAU, SADC and other regional groupings. Operational issues were addressed, such as South Africa's role in the Great Lakes issue and other African crisis points such as the on-going war in Sudan, peace efforts in Angola and the CMAG/Nigeria issue. Attention was given to a draft interdepartmental White Paper on Peacekeeping and the formulation of a policy for the creation of an African Crisis Response Force.
Discussions in the multilateral field focussed on preparations for the Non Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit to be held in South Africa next year, which will be preceded by the meeting of Council of Ministers of NAM in India in April 1997, South Africa's policy on the reform of UN institutions and the transformation of the NAM, progress in the negotiations with the European Union and preparations for a series of workshops on human rights.
Several matters concerning bilateral relations were also discussed, including the important area of relations with the US and preparations for the next meeting of the Bi-National Committee.
Substantive administrative issues were addressed, including the transformation, rationalisation and rightsizing of the Civil Service and the 1997/98 Departmental Budget, particularly the need for effective financial management.
The meeting provided Minister Nzo and the Top Management of the Department with an opportunity to assess departmental activities over a wide range of areas and to plan strategically for the year ahead.
For additional information please contact Pieter Swanepoel on 083-2250209.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 4 FEBRUARY 1997