9 October 2001
The South African Government has taken note of ongoing military strikes since Sunday October 7 by the USA and its military allies against targets in Afghanistan.
The Government remains in contact with the USA authorities and other role-players on this issue. In this regard, President Thabo Mbeki was briefed on these developments by USA Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday 7 October.
The Government reaffirms its unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attacks on various cities of the USA. In this context we wish to reiterate that South Africa recognises the right of the USA administration to seek out those responsible for those acts of terror perpetrated against people on September 11 and to ensure that justice is meted out to them.
Such acts, however, should be informed by hard evidence and must be directed against the actual culprits. The USA has provided such evidence to its NATO allies and to countries in the region.
It has been reported that these operations are targeted against military communication centres, and defence installations and terrorist training camps. We welcome the assurances that care will be exercised to avoid indiscriminate force against the ordinary people of Afghanistan as well as their economic and social infrastructure, which has already suffered untold damage over the years of intermittent conflict.
The South African Government also welcomes the assurances that this is a fight against terrorism. The military actions have been taken in self-defence in terms of article 51 of the UN Charter and in terms of Security Council resolution 1269, 1368 and 1373.
The SA government is concerned at the disastrous humanitarian tragedy that is unfolding in Afghanistan.
The fight against terrorism is a long-term one and includes military, legal, economic, political and diplomatic means.
In the final analysis to defeat terrorism we must deal with the root causes, inter alia conflicts especially in the Middle East, poverty and underdevelopment.
We support the growing call for a UN Conference on International terrorism, which should tackle the issue of terrorism holistically, including an internationally acceptable definition of terrorism and terrorism acts.
The UN Ad-hoc Committee on Terrorism is currently elaborating a comprehensive convention on terrorism which will serve as an over-arching treaty that incorporates key elements of the twelve existing anti-terrorism conventions.
Having addressed this matter, it would be unfortunate if we were to ignore the reported threats by certain organisations in South Africa allegedly considering retaliatory action against the USA following military strikes against Afghanistan.
Security Council resolution 1373 is binding on all countries and in terms of that we have to act against all forms of terrorist activities
South Africa’s own Foreign Military Assistance Act No 15 of 1998 expressly prohibits the recruitment of persons within the border of the Republic or elsewhere for engagement in mercenary activities.
Prohibits the rendering of foreign military assistance within the Republic or elsewhere Any person or organisation found in contravention of the Act shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment or both such fine and imprisonment.
The law enforcement agencies will continue to gather information and monitor activities of such groups to ensure full adherence to the law of the country.
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs