CAPE TOWN, 22 FEBRUARY 2001
The South African Government as current Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, must ensure that the decisions and resolutions of NAM on, inter alia, the Gulf question, is implemented.
It may be recalled that the XIII Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (Cartagena, Colombia 2000) decided, inter alia, the following:
"We note with deep concern the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian conditions of the Iraqi population due to sanctions. Based upon the principles and decisions of the Movement, we urge Member Countries of the Movement to deploy their efforts to halt this tragedy and help in lifting the sanctions as soon as possible in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions."
Furthermore, the XII Non-Aligned Movement's Summit held in Durban, South Africa (1998), took the following decision:
" The Heads of State or Government deplored the imposition and continued military enforcement of No Fly Zones on Iraq by individual countries without any authorization from the United Nations Security Council or General Assembly."
Yesterday, the Coordinating Bureau of the NAM issued a statement on the bombing of Iraq, which reads as follows:
"The Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) regrets the air raids near Bagdad on Friday, 16 February 2001. The Chair wishes to express, on behalf of the Movement, condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives in this attack. The Chair also wishes to reiterate that the Movement is committed to the principles of respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all Member States.
The Movement wishes to reaffirm that it deplores the imposition and continued military enforcement of "No Fly Zones" on Iraq by individual countries, and reiterates that this imposition is without any authorizationn from the United Nations Security Council or General Assembly.
In order to alleviate the continuing deterioration of the humanitarian condition of the Iraqi population due to sanctions, all parties should adhere to the relevant Security Council resolutions for an immediate and durable political solution to the situation in Iraq.
The Chair urges all concerned to continue to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis. Based on the principles and decisions of the Movement, the Chair further urges Member States of the NAM, and all other concerned parties, to deploy all efforts to establish peace, security, and stability in the region through diplomatic rather than military means".
The events unfolding in Iraq presents the most complex diplomatic and humanitarian challenge of modern times. South Africa has global obligations and responsibilities for the maintenance of peace and stability in the world. It is within this context that I will be undertaking a visit to Iraq, Kuwait and Egypt. This will be an opportunity to discuss our bilateral relations as well as multilateral issues, inter alia, the Middle East crisis and the Gulf situation. We cannot also ignore our international humanitarian obligations.
South African NGOs will be sending a humanitarian aid flight to Iraq, departing from South Africa on 28th February 2001. The flight will be carrying essential medical supplies, baby milk formula and high protein biscuits.
The purpose of the humanitarian flight by South Africa to Iraq is to give effect to the groundswell opinion in South African Civil Society condemning the devastating effects of sanctions on the civilian population of Iraq.
The aid will consist of medical supplies and baby formula and will be co-ordinated by 34 leading South African humanitarian organisations.
As has been documented by United Nations agencies, NGO's, humanitarian and human rights organisations, researchers and political leaders, the sanctions upon Iraq have produced a humanitarian disaster comparable to the worst catastrophes of the past decades.
Denis Halliday, former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Humanitarian Co-ordinator in Iraq, declared after his resignation in September 1998, "sanctions have had a serious impact on the Iraqi extended family system. We're seeing an increase in single-parent families, usually mothers struggling alone. There's an increase in divorce. Many families have had to sell their homes, furniture and other possessions to put food on the table, resulting in homelessness. Many young people are resorting to prostitution."
The outcry against the sanctions on Iraq has come from all sides.
From within the United Nations, the Secretary-General has called on the Security Council to "seek every opportunity to alleviate the suffering of the population, who after all are not the intended targets of sanctions."
Recent months have seen a spate of humanitarian flights to Baghdad. The flights usually carry a cargo of medicines, politicians, officials and civilians and seek to express solidarity with the people of Iraq, who are suffering a humanitarian catastrophe.
Countries that have sent humanitarian flights are France (which dispatched two flights), Russia (which is contemplating regular service to Baghdad International Airport), Jordan (the first Arab country to do so), Syria, Algeria, Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Morocco, India, Iceland and Yemen.
The ultimate objective of state and interstate actions should be guided by the efforts to achieve peace, stability and sustainable development and the elimination of human suffering and misery around the world.
The South African Government will support all efforts to establish peace, security and stability in the region through diplomatic, rather than military means.