Minister M. Lekota completed a successful six-day visit to the Gulf region on 22 November 1999. His visit started with attending the Dubai 2000 International Air Show where he signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Co-operation with the United Arab Emirates.
At the Air Show the South African pavilion won the prize for the best national pavilion. During the Show Minister Lekota met with his German counterpart as well as HRH Prince Charles of the United Kingdom.
The Minister proceeded to visit Qatar where he was given a warm welcome. He was received by His Highness the Amir of Qatar as well as the Qatari Chief of Staff. Discussions on future defense co-operation between South Africa and Qatar were held after which the Minister visited Qatar's extensive gas fields.
The last country visited was the State of Kuwait, where the Minister was received by His Highness the Amir, the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister and the Acting Minister of Defense. Minister Lekota's program included a visit to the Army Staff College, the main Kuwaiti Naval Base and associated training schools. The Minister also met with senior officials for discussions on missing Kuwaitis dating from the Iraqi invasion in 1990. The Minister indicated that South Africa would support Kuwait in her quest to resolve this issue.
At the end of the visit Minister Lekota expressed his satisfaction with the success of the visit and said he looked forward to increased defense co-operation between South Africa and the Gulf region in the future.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
25 NOVEMBER 1999