9 October 2002
SOUTH AFRICAN COUNCIL FOR THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
The South African Council for the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (the Council) has been appointed by the Minister of Trade and Industry in terms of the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, 1993 (Act No. 87 of 1993). The objectives of the Council are to advise the Minister, to protect the interests of the State, carry out the responsibilities and fulfil the obligations of the government with regard to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The Minister of Trade and Industry has since October 1994 published various notices in the Government Gazette regulating weapons of mass destruction related goods.
To date, the Council has not approved any exports of controlled goods, including special aluminium tubes that can be used for uranium enrichment, to Iraq. Nor has any enquiry about such aluminium tubes been received via the South African Embassy in Amman or from anyone else. If any proof or evidence of such exports exist, the Council would appreciate such information for investigation.
In February 2002, the Council considered an export of Rift Valley Fever vaccines to a United Kingdom company for inclusion in test kits to be used by the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Iraq. This export took place on the basis of an approval from the UN Security Council.
The South African Government, as a matter of policy, will not sell or provide military equipment or technologies, equipment or material that is used in the development or production of weapons of mass destruction to any country that is deemed to pose a proliferation risk.
Abdul S Minty
CHAIRPERSON
COUNCIL FOR THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Department of Trade and Industry