Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
12 October 2000
The South African Government greatly appreciates and fully supports the efforts of the United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan, aimed at defusing the current grave and volatile situation in the Middle East.
The South African Government believes that the current initiative of the United Nations Secretary General once again underlines the centrality of the United Nations, especially the United Nations Security Council, as custodian of global peace and security.
The South African Government believes that, if unchecked, the current volatile and grave situation in the Middle East represents a dire threat not just to peace and security in the Middle East, but also to international peace and security in general.
The South African Government once again expresses its support for the other initiatives currently under way in the Middle East to help defuse the grave situation, whilst it still believes that all the initiatives should have the effect of underscoring the centrality of the United Nations in the maintenance of world peace and security, including in the Middle East.
The South African Government continues to steadfastly believe that the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 1322 remain the international legitimate basis for the establishment of peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours.
Once again the South African Government calls for the speedy establishment of the international mechanisms of inquiry into the tragic events since 28 September 2000.
The South African Government calls on all the security forces, including armed militias, in the region, and in particular the Israeli Defense Force (IDF), to act with responsibility and restraint so as not to further provoke and inflame the already extremely volatile situation.
In particular, the Government expresses its grave concern for the safety of the three Israeli soldiers reportedly abducted by Palestinians in the past 24 hours and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.
In particular, the South African Government calls upon the Government of Israel to put an end to the violence emanating from some of the extremist elements of the Jewish settler community directed at both the Arab Israeli community and the Palestinians.
The South African Government once again calls on the leaders in the Middle East to avoid, in the interest of peace and security, taking actions and making statements that only worsen the already grave and volatile situation in the Middle East.
The South African Government calls on all the parties in the Middle East to redouble their efforts to create the necessary conditions for the resumption of the Middle East Peace Process aimed in particular at the robust and speedy resolution of the Final Status issues.
For more information please contact;
Ms. Basetsana Thokoane
012 351 0174 or 083 443 7740