4 October 2001
"BRIDGING THE GULF SADC-GCC INTER-REGIONAL INITIATIVE-CONSTRUCTING INTER-REGIONAL LINKAGES"
Chairperson,
distinguished visitors from the Gulf,
the SADC Secretariat,
members of the diplomatic fraternity,
representatives of the private sector,
officials of the South African Institute for International Affairs,
ladies and gentlemen.
I thank the organisers for convening this conference. We are aware that co-operation between the a SADC and the GCC regional groupings is not at a level that it should be. Through efforts such as these we can hopefully adopt measu!res to "bridge the gulf" and bring our regions closer together, not only politically but also economically, socially and culturally.
While we will be concentrating on bridging the gulf between out two regions, we can't avoid putting this into the context of the shocking and tragic events of September 11.
What happened on this faithful day in the USA was a crime against humanity, and all of humanity must unite to fight and defeat this scourge. As the international coalition seeks to find and bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime, it is absolutely essential that we are guided, inter-alia by:
(1) the understanding that an international coalition against terrorism must be under the aegis of the United Nations;
(2) the fact that Terrorism seeks to put itself above and outside of the law. In tracking down and brining terrorist to justice, we must re-affirm the rule of law on the international and national level. The law of the jungle must not be basis of international relations. Actions taken should not deepen tension and further divide the world for its is in those circumstances of strife and division that terrorism finds fertile ground;
(3) an endeavour to defeat adherents of the notion of "Clash of civilisations". Act of vengeance or mobilisation directed against individuals, communities or nations simply because of their faith, language or colour cannot be justified. The year 2001 has been declared by the UN as the year "Dialogue amongst civilisations";
(4) Security Council resolution 1373 on terrorism, which states that member states are "Deeply concerned by the increase, in various regions of the world, of acts of terrorism motivated by intolerance or extremism". This resolution together with Chapter VII of the UN Charter has far reaching consequences, binding all of us. We should strive to devise an internationally accepted definition of terrorism and acts of terrorism because the reality is that there are different types of terrorist activity, for example the act committed in Oklahoma, Algeria, Egypt, Angola, Sri Lanka and Kashmir are very different;
(5) by the challenge to understand the root causes of terrorism and to eradicate them worldwide. Some of the vital he root causes are:
5.1 conflict, especially in the Middle East
Today, despite many efforts to find a negotiated political solution, the situation continues to get worse in the Middle East. This situation will create very fertile conditions for terrorism.
5.2 underdevelopment and Poverty which create fertile conditions for terrorism to breed.
President Mbeki, speaking in Japan, two days ago said: "Acts of terror are aimed at disrupting normal activities. Their main intention is to instil fear, create instability, cause consternation and bring about general anarchy. Amidst the need to respond to these attacks, we should guard against the possibility of the international community changing focus on the critical issues of our time. We therefore have to ensure that there is no possibility of these attacks creating negative consequences, whereby the developmental issues that we have been grappling with for decades, are sidelined to the margins of the global agenda.
The challenge facing all us is the ability to simultaneously deal decisively with terrorism and effectively address and defeat poverty and underdevelopment."
The Conference is a timely response to the President challenge.
The Conference's stated aims are to focus on the perspectives of developing inter-regional forms of association, specifically in the commercial and economic fields with a view to advancing an agenda of co-operation between the SADC and the GCC. This should provide us with a strong foundation to tackle our under-development.
Our co-operation must be based on a sense of belonging and a shared value system of like-minded associates. In this shared vision of peace and stability, democracy, human rights, equity and social responsibility lie the roots of economic growth and prosperity and the improvement of the quality of life of our peoples.
We in Africa, who represent the poorest of the poor are seeking to learn from the experiences of the GCC. Since the establishment of the GCC in 1981, it has made impressive progress. This conference must thoroughly interrogate this experience and SADC must lessons from it.
Chairperson,
In globalised world regional co-operation is a sine qua non for the development of our countries. In this context stronger economic links between the member states of the Southern African Development Community and the Gulf Co-operation Council is paramount. We in SADC see this as an important initiative to decisively tackle our underdevelopment and create conditions for sustainable development that will enable us to improve the quality of life of our people. Allow me to cite some examples of our co-operation.
I am pleased to note that the economic links between the countries of Southern Africa and the Gulf are growing steadily. By 1999/2000 the value of two-way trade peaked at some R50 billion. Although a major proportion of this commerce consisted of oil imports fro the Gulf, a wide range of exports from Southern Africa, increasing annually in volume, are now reaching the region. This includes fresh and processed foodstuffs, machinery and plant, pharmaceuticals, textiles and other manufactured goods. Leading Southern African companies are already act!ively involved in the Gulf consumer markets.
Southern Africa has also offered its technology in desalination and waste management. Further co-operation between the two regions in geological surveying and mineral exploitation is now developing.
Over 10 000 expatriates from SADC countries are providing valuable professional service to the populations of the Gulf in a variety of endeavours ranging from the medical and nursing professions through to involvement in engineering, construction, finance, agriculture and veterinary services, banking and insurance sectors.
Chairperson,
While identifying some progress in our co-operation, we must accept the reality that most of the activities I have referred to involves South African institutions. It must be noted that co-operation between our two regions is much lower that is potential.
The Conference must therefore critically look at this and identify concrete ways of tackling these challenges.
Chairperson,
For Southern Africa, the Gulf States are not merely partners in economic relations, but also important partners for multilateral co-operation. All are members of the UN, NAM, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Arab league (AL) and OPEC/OAPEC while some belong to the Indian Ocean Rim / Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC). Mozambique and Tanzania are members of the OIC as well as being members of the OIR-ARC of which South Africa was a founder member. South Africa is seeking observer status at the OIC. It is important for political co-operation to have an impact on the New World order, which must be more equitable and just.
Chairperson,
African leaders have recently adopted "A New African Initiative". It is an initiative which is premised on African states making commitments to good governance, democracy and human rights, while endeavouring to prevent and resolve situations of conflict and instability on the continent. Coupled to these efforts to create conditions conducive for investment, growth and development, are initiatives to raise the necessary resources to address the development chasm in critical sectors that are highlighted in the Programme, such as infrastructure, education, health, agriculture and Information, Communication and Technology.
This new Initiative is a pledge by African leaders, based on a common vision and a firm and shared conviction that they have a pressing duty to eradicate poverty and to place their countries, both individually and collectively on a path of sustainable growth and development. It is a call for a new relationship of partnership between Africa and the international community to overcome the development chasm. The partnership is to be founded on a realisation of common interest, benefit and equality.
Chairperson,
We see the Gulf States as an important partner to successfully achieve the objectives of the NAI and the African Renaissance. The scope for co-operation in these objectives for the benefit of Southern Africa is as wide as its is promising. The Gulf States could become a key to poverty alleviation, disaster relief, and enhancement of the quality of life and economic empowerment for the people of Africa. This kind of multilateral co-operation, could give meaning and drive the concept of Afro-Arab Co-operation.
This Conference should look at specific concrete actions that can be taken to enhance our co-operation which will enable us to tackle underdevelopment. Let me be bold enough to raise one such initiative.
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are seriously affected by the price of oil which fluctuates continuously. When it increases the poorer African nations suffer immediate consequences which can at times become intolerable and cause national emergencies and disasters.
The Gulf States can play a key role in the alleviation of such suffering. In co-operation with the SADC countries mechanisms could be established to blunt the effect of high oil prices on the economies and societies of Sub-Saharan Africa. I would like to suggest that this gathering give this matter some thought and, in due course, invite suggestions as to the possible substance of such an initiative.
I believe that this Conference is only the first of many more occasions to promote interaction and co-operation between the GCC and the SADC. It is only with this kind of interaction that Africans and Arabs can better understand each other, promote more forcefully their desire for Afro-Arab co-operation, enhance economic relations between the two regions and word together within the objectives and aspirations of the Millennium Africa Programme.
Chairperson,
The importance of South-South co-operation demands that we improve co-operation between our two regions. This should allow us to cushion ourselves against the looming recession in the developed countries.
I wish to thank the SADC and the Director of International Organisations and Economic Affairs for the GCC for their participation. The presence of the Controller of International Affairs at the Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance is also much appreciated. I am certain that the deliberations of today will be constructive and fruitfully. SADC is genuinely seeking to strengthen SADC-GCC relations. This conference must make a contribution to lifting the curtain of ignorance of each others region. In an era of the information technology revolution, ignorance can not be excused.
Thank you.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs