8 SEPTEMBER 1997
The NCACC, set up by the Cabinet in 1995, works according to established principles and a policy of maximum openness (background documents on this are in the media kit). The membership comprises a dozen Cabinet and Deputy Ministers as well as the Director-General in the President's Office (names in the media kit). In addition, a number of senior civil servants attend our meetings as invitees.
The NCACC avoids taking up bindingly permanent positions which would tie its hand for all time, but assesses requests for arms transfer on a case by case basis. This is more arduous and time- consuming, but it is the only way to ensure the sort of vigilance that will prevent us from slipping into bad habits. There are, of course, certain countries which would not be considered for arms exports under any circumstances; but the general policy is one of careful consideration, restraint and even-handedness, e.g. in relation to countries in the Middle East.
If we have allowed the arms industry to market certain products, this does not automatically mean we shall allow them to enter into contracts and export those products willy nilly. Those are separate stages in an intricate process. It is often assumed that, because the arms industry is allowed to "scout around" for markets, that we have agreed to supply. That does not automatically follow.
There is detailed evaluation which covers matters such as end-use of arms exported from South Africa. We are prepared, if circumstances justify it, to reassess our decisions. In some cases, we extract firm assurances at top Government level, as we did over even minor shipments of non-lethal material to Rwanda. We take our work seriously, and insist on careful study of each application.
We shall soon be setting up an independent inspector-generalship which will be charged to ensure that the whole system works properly.
The rationale for having an arms industry in South Africa has been canvassed in public many times. It comes down to this. Our constitution requires us to defend our democratic freedoms; the SANDF is an inextricable part of our constitutional order; we are not a pacifist country, and we must provide it with the arms necessary to do the job. The local arms industry requires the economies of scale that exports imply. But exports must be done with restraint, bearing in mind human rights and other considerations.
No Government in the world has a policy of total disclosure on arms. What we seek to do is to be among the most enlightened countries of the world, when it comes to openness. But there are matters of business confidentiality and compelling and genuine national interest to take into account, too. We respect the UN Register of Conventional Arms and, if anything, would like to improve on its provisions of disclosure. We report on a regular basis according the UN rules.
A bill on Foreign Military Assistance is now before Parliament, and is soon to be debated. It is available in the media kit. It regulates the rendering of foreign military services outside South Africa by South African individuals and companies. It gives effect to a provision in the Constitution seeking to outlaw uncontrolled mercenary activity. Though it is difficult to control the mischief that was so apparent in the past, the Government is determined to do so, particularly considering past abuses and our changed position in the world.
What amounts to a major review of the role that arms industry plays in the economy is being handled by a Steering Committee which is preparing a White Paper on the future of the defence-related industries. It draws on civilian and military expertise in tackling questions such as governance in the industry, defence requirements and strategic implications, privatisation and commercialisation, procurement, imports and local production, industrial participation, the defence industry in the context of national economic and industrial policy - and so on. It promises to shed much light on issues that are regularly being debated in public. It will give valuable guidance on what we are to do with an inherited arms industry in the future. There are those who would take either of two "quick-fix" routes:
1. supporting selling to all-comers in the world, and 2. those who would argue for an end to our arms industry, with no sales anywhere. We seek an enlightened middle way. We do not believe it is in the national interest if South Africa were to become dependent on certain world powers for arms supply. It would be simply unconstitutional not have a credible and effective national defence effort, suitably prepared. Thus, through the minefield, we tread warily - but knowing what principles guide us.