Issued by: DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The South African Government continues to view with deep concern the growing tension between the Government of Iraq and the United Nations Security Council regarding the activties of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) in Iraq.
South Africa is fully supportive of UN Security Council Resolutions relating to Iraq and the mandate given to UNSCOM and urges the international community to find a diplomatic solution to the problem.
In this regard the South African Government is supportive of the proposed visit of United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, to Baghdad and calls upon the parties concerned to render every possible assistance to make this initiative a success.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 18 FEBRUARY 1998