Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
25 October 2000
On Tuesday 24 October, the South African Permanent Mission in Geneva received a Request from the Leader of the Opposition Mr Tony Leon for the mission to assist him in organising meetings with the UNAIDS and the World Health Organisation.
The request comes in the wake of the launch of the Democratic Alliance Local Government Elections campaign in which the Democratic Alliance promises to provide rape victims and pregnant HIV positive women with AZT free of charge in wards controlled by the party.
The Government welcomes all efforts by South Africans to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Indeed South Africans have recently celebrated the anniversary of the launch of the Partnership Against Aids.
In addition, the government will continue to make funds available for research institutions in an attempt to develop a vaccine against HIV/AIDS. It will maintain the momentum created through the massive AIDS Awareness Campaign that promotes abstinence, faithfulness and the use of condoms.
Since Mr. Tony Leon's visit to Europe is an integral part of the Democratic Alliance's Local Government Elections Campaign, the Department of Foreign Affairs deems it inappropriate to avail the services of the mission in Geneva for Mr Leon's visit.
Availing such services as requested on behalf of Mr Leon would set an unfortunate precedence which would compromise the integrity, not only of the mission concerned but the entire department as a whole. It would be a sad day in our nascent democracy if public offices, indeed our missions abroad were used in the furtherance of part political interests.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and its missions abroad, nonetheless, remain available to render assistance and/or services as necessary to visiting Public Office Bearers to the extent that such visits are within the context of rendering service to the country.
Having considered all relevant facts at our disposal, Mr Tony Leon's request for assistance from our Permanent Mission in Geneva can unfortunately not be acceded to.
For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853