NOTES FOLLOWING IRPS CLUSTER MEDIA BRIEFING
Media Centre, Amphitheatre, UnionBuildings
Thursday 5 July 2007
______
PRESIDENT MBEKI’S VISIT TO CÔTE D’IVOIRE POSTPONED
The South African government condemns the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Soros. As a consequence, the Côte d’Ivorian Flame of Peace Ceremony scheduled for Bouake yesterday Wednesday 4 July 2007 has been postponed by the government of Côte d’Ivoire. This Ceremony would have marked the launch of the disarmament process throughout Côte d’Ivoire.
Accordingly President Mbeki’s visit to Côte d’Ivoire has now been postponed to a later date in July this year. The date of the Ceremony will be announced by the Côte d’Ivorian authorities.
DEPUTY PRESIDENT MLAMBO-NGCUKA TO PAY OFFICIAL VISIT TO KENYA
South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka will on Friday 6 July 2007 depart for Nairobi, Kenya where she is scheduled to present an address on the impact of HIV and AIDS on African Women at a YWCA hosted conference scheduled for later in the day.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will participate in this Conference within the context of her chairpersonship of the South African National Aids Council which promotes the vision of an HIV and AIDS free Africa.
While in Kenya, on Saturday 7 July 2007, Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka will participate in the official launch of the SABC’s East Africa Bureau.
Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka is expected to return to South Africa on Saturday 7 July 2007.
MINISTER DLAMINI ZUMA TO LAUNCH SA-BELARUS JOINT COMMISSION
South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on conclusion of the African Union Summit in Ghana, on Wednesday 4 July 2007 departed from Accra for Minsk, Belarus for bilateral discussions and the launch of the South Africa – Belarus Joint Intergovernmental Committee on Trade and Economic Co-operation (ITEC) scheduled for Thursday – Saturday 5-7 July 2007. Minister Dlamini Zuma will be hosted by her Belarusian counterpart Foreign Minister Sergei Nikolayevich Martynov.
Minister Dlamini Zuma, accompanied by Minister Buyelwa Sonjica and Deputy Minister Rob Davies, will visit Belarus within the context of South Africa’s commitment to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Belarus.
Bilateral discussions between Ministers Dlamini Zuma and Sergei Martynov are expected to include, among others:
The status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between both countries including areas of future engagement and co-operation;
Belarusian support for the promotion of the African agenda;
Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament;
The conflict in the Middle East; and
Co-operation between the two countries in multilateral fora including the United Nations and the comprehensive reform of the United Nations.
The South Africa – Belarus ITEC was signed into law in August 2006 and will be launched in Minsk on Thursday 5 July 2007.
The ITEC consists of the following sub-committees: Minerals and Energy, Science and Technology and Trade, Investment and Banking. These committees will investigate further areas of co-operation between both countries.
During her visit, Minister Dlamini Zuma will on Friday 6 July 2007 receive the award of Honorary Professor of the BelarusianStateUniversity.
While in Belarus, Minister Dlamini Zuma is also expected to pay a courtesy call on President Aleksander Lukashenko, meet with the Chairperson of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, and the Deputy Chairperson of the “Belarusian Women’s Union”.
Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday 8 July 2007.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Since 2001, our bilateral trade with Belarus has been increasing but it is our view that the potential for economic development and interaction with South Africa remains significant, and has, and still could present South African businesses with excellent opportunities.
Current bilateral trade as per Belarusian 2006 statistics is US$ 15 million. South African imports of potassium fertilisers (main import), refrigerators, flax fabrics and spare truck and tractors parts amount to US$ 6 Million.Belarus also exports fully assembled low cost agricultural tractors and large dump trucks for the mining industry. South African exports of diamonds, veneer sheets, organic chemicals, vehicle spare parts and capital goods amounted to US$ 4 Million.
We hope Minister Dlamini Zuma’s visit will give impetus to our trade relations with Belarus and indeed, other countries in the region.
Trade between South Africa and Belarus (all figures in ZAR)
All figures R’ 000
2001 / 2002 / 2003 / 2004 / 2005 / 2006SA Exports / 1 191 / 1 841 / 1 590 / 2 410 / 2 401 / 2 806
SA Imports / 2 292 / 6 260 / 2 681 / 20 246 / 9 042 / 12 315
Total Trade / 3483 / 8101 / 4271 / 22656 / 11443 / 15 121
DEPUTY MINISTER AZIZ PAHAD TO DEPART ON 4-NATION VISIT
Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad, and Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi will on Friday 6 July 2007 depart on a three-nation South American visit to Cuba, Panama, and Mexico. The delegation will also visit Spain before returning to South Africa on Thursday 19 July 2007.
The South African delegation will visit South America and Spain within the context of South Africa’s priority consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade relations with Cuba, Panama, Mexico and Spain.
Cuba
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi will visit Havana, Cuba from Saturday – Wednesday 7-11 July 2007 during which Deputy Minister Pahad will together with his Cuban counterpart Deputy Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez co-chair the 5th session of the Joint Consultative Mechanism between South Africa and Cuba Tuesday – Wednesday 10-11 July 2007.
Issues on the agenda of this session of the Joint Consultative Mechanism are expected to include, among others:
The status of bilateral political and economic relations between South Africa and Cuba;
Updates on the current situation in Cuba and South Africa;
Perspectives on regional developments in Latin America and the Caribbean, SADC and Africa;
Areas of trilateral co-operation between South Africa and Cuba;
Peace and security challenges in Africa;
Developments within the Non-Aligned Movement;
The comprehensive reform of the United Nations and South Africa’s tenure of the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council; and
Progress towards the 2008 African Union Diaspora Conference to be hosted by South Africa.
While in Cuba, Deputy Minister Pahad will also brief resident Africa and Middle Eastern Ambassadors on “Developments in Africa and the Middle East.”
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi will depart from Cuba on Wednesday 11 July 2007 for Panama.
Panama
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi will visit Panama from Wednesday – Thursday 11-12 July 2007 during which Deputy Minister Pahad will hold bilateral political and economic discussions with the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ricardo Duran on Thursday 12 July 2007.
Deputy Minister Moleketi is expected to hold discussions with the Vice Minister of Finance Orcila Vega de Constable.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and Vice Minister Duran are expected to include, among others:
The status of bilateral political and economic relations between both countries;
A briefing on developments in the Latin American and SADC regions;
Increased South-South co-operation; and
Co-operation between both countries in multilateral fora including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 + China.
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi will depart from Panama and Thursday 12 July 2007 for Mexico.
Mexico
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi will visit Mexico from Thursday – Saturday 12-14 July 2007 during which Deputy Minister Pahad will on Friday 13 July 2007 hold bilateral political and economic discussions with his counterpart Mexican Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Maria de Lourdes Aranda Bezaury.
Issues on the agenda of discussions between Deputy Minister Pahad and Undersecretary Bezaury are expected to include, among others:
The status of bilateral political and economic relations between both countries;
Regional affairs in Latin America and the Caribbean and SADC and the African Union;
Multilateral co-operation in the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 + China.
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi are expected to depart from Mexico on Saturday 14 July 2007 ahead of their visit to Spain.
Spain
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi will visit Madrid, Spain from Saturday – Wednesday 14-18 July 2007 during which Deputy Minister Pahad will together with his counterpart Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Bernadino Leon Gross, co-chair the 4th session of the South Africa – Spain Annual Political Consultations on Tuesday 17 July 2007.
Issues on the agenda of discussions are expected to include, among others:
An overview of the current status of and prospects for increased bilateral political and economic relations;
The African agenda including
oAn evaluation of the Spanish Africa Plan;
oPost conflict reconstruction and development with regard to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur, Côte d’Ivoire, Western Sahara, Equatorial Guinea and Somalia;
oThe outcomes of the recently concluded African Union Summit;
oAfrican Union – European Union relations with particular reference to the forthcoming African Union – European Union Summit in Lisbon at the end of 2007;
oMigration
The conflict in the Middle East including Israel and Palestine, Lebanon and Iraq;
Nuclear non-proliferation;
An assessment of developments in the Latin American region; and
The comprehensive reform of the United Nations and South Africa’s tenure of the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Deputy Ministers Pahad and Moleketi are expected to return to South Africa on Thursday 19 July 2007,
TERRORIST ATTACKS IN GLASGOW
Statement by the South African government on the attack at Glasgow Airport
The South African government condemns the terrorist attack which took place at Glasgow airport in Great Britain as well as the attempt to explode car bombs in London on Friday 29 June 2007.
We again reiterate our view that no cause can justify such acts of terrorism and indeed, such actions only serve against the causes perpetrators are hoping to gain support for.
The latest acts of terrorism reinforce the view of the South African government that we need a holistic approach to dealing with terrorism.
The international community must more vigorously implement the global strategy against terrorism adopted last year by the General Assembly.
RELEASE OF BBC REPORT ALAN JOHNSTON
The South African government welcomes the release of BBC Reporter Alan Johnston on Wednesday 4 July 2007 in Gaza.
However, the South African government reiterates calls for the release of the Israeli soldier Shalit who was captured by some Palestinian groups in July 2006 and all other Palestinian and Syrian detainees.
We believe this will create a better environment for movement forward in what is a very difficult situation in the Middle East.
AFRICAN UNION SUMMIT
You are aware that the long awaited Grand Debate on the African government in Ghana has now been concluded.
We are generally happy with the outcome of this Summit.
It has clearly been reiterated that the ultimate objective of the African Union is the United States of Africa with a Union Government. However, we need to do more as a process to achieve this objective.
Outcomes of AccraSummit
Accra Declaration
The Assembly of the Union, meeting at its 9th Ordinary Session in Accra, Ghana from 1-3 July 2007,
Recalling our decision Assembly/AU/Dec 156 (VIII) adopted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in January 2007 on the need for a “Grand Debate on the Union Government” with a view to providing a clear vision of the future of the African Union and of African Unity:
Convinced that the ultimate objective of the African Union is the United States of Africa with a Union Government as envisaged by the founding fathers of the Organisation of African Union and, in particular, the visionary leader Dr Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana;
Also convinced of the need for common responses to the major challenges of globalisation facing Africa and boosting regional integration processes through an effective continental mechanism;
Recognising that opening up narrow domestic markets to greater trade and investment through freer movement of persons, goods, services and capital would accelerate growth thus, reducing excessive weaknesses of many of our Member States;
Further recognising that the Union Government should be built on common values that need to be identified and agreed upon as benchmarks;
Acknowledging the importance of involving the African peoples in order to ensure that the African Union is a Union of peoples and not just a “Union of States and governments”, as well as the African Diaspora in the processes of economic and political integration of our continent;
Hereby declare as follows:
1.There is a need to accelerate the economic and political integration of the African continent, including the formation of a Union Government for Africa.
2.The ultimate objective of the African Union is to create the United States of Africa.
3.We reiterate our earlier decision on the rationalisation and strengthening of the Regional Economic Communities and the harmonisation of their activities so as to lead to the creation of an African Common Market, through the stages set in the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty), with a reviewed and shorter timeframe to be agreed upon in order to accelerate the economic integration.
4.We agree on the roadmap to attaining the Union Government as follows:
To conduct immediately, an Audit of the Executive Council in terms of Article 10 of the Constitutive Act, the Commission as well as the other organs of the African Union in accordance with the Terms of Reference adopted by the 10th Extraordinary Session of our Executive Council held in Zimbali, South Africa on 10 May 2007.
To commission detailed studies on the following:
oIdentification of the contents of the Union Government concept and its relations with national governments;
oIdentification of domains of competence and the impact of its establishment on the sovereignty of member states;
oDefinition of the relationship between the Union Government and the Regional Economic Communities;
oElaboration of a roadmap and timeframe for establishing the Union Government; and
oIdentification of additional sources of financing the activities of the Union.
5.The outcome of the studies will be submitted to a Committee of Heads of State and Government which will make appropriate recommendations to the next ordinary session of our Assembly.
6.We agree on the importance of involving the African peoples, including Africans in the Diaspora, in the processes leading to the formation of the Union Government.
Done in Accra this 3rd Day of July 2007
(Comment by Deputy Minister Pahad: There seems to be general agreement that the objective of the African Union government has been agreed to by all. However, much work needs to be done before this can be achieved.
There are some countries who did argue that the establishment of five ministries – Foreign Affairs, Defence, Health, Trade and Infrastructure Development – would help us to move faster towards this objective of a Union Government. This notion was however rejected by the Summit.)
What is significant is that the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, speaking on behalf of the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon at the Summit, underlined some of Africa’s concerns when she said, “However, Africa is still lagging behind the rest of the world in achieving our common development objectives.
The challenges remain daunting:
Overall, the number of people living in extreme poverty in Africa is rising, although the increase has levelled off slightly since 1999;
Child mortality rates have fallen, but only marginally to 166 per 1,000live births. This is nowhere near the objective of a two thirds reduction by 2015;
Maternal mortality rates remain shockingly high. A woman in Africa has a 1 in 16 chance to die in childbirth or from complications in pregnancy, compared with a likelihood of 1 in 3,800 in the developed world.
These stark figures should stir us all to scale up our efforts to achieve the Goals. This year marks the midpoint between the adoption of the Goals and the target date of 2015 by which we have committed ourselves to achieve them. That makes it especially important for there to be more resolute efforts, and deeper partnerships, to reduce poverty, to address the needs in health, education and other sectors and to promote gender equality.
On the development front more broadly, the Secretary-General and I will make specific efforts to ensure that implementation of the MDGs is intensified. Against this background, the Secretary-General, during last month’s G-8 summit in Germany, launched the MDG Africa Steering Group, which brings together the leaders of United Nations entities, international financial institutions and the African Union Commission. The Steering Group will work closely with donors and developing countries to provide a vital new impetus for a continent-wide scaling up of interventions.
The African Union Mission in the Sudan has had a significant impact on the ground, but it lacks the capacity to meet the extraordinary challenges of protecting civilians and bringing stability to Darfur. The Secretary-General appreciates the collaboration between the United Nations, the African Union and the Government of Sudan. We are pleased that the Government of Sudan has finally accepted the African Union-United Nations hybrid operation. We must urgently proceed with this undertaking. The deployment of the hybrid operation will be unprecedented, and will constitute a new chapter in our joint efforts to address the continent’s peace and security challenges.
But we must also seek to resolve the root causes of the conflict in Darfur. The African Union and the United Nations are working closely together to reinvigorate the political process and bring a negotiated solution to the Darfur crisis.
At the same time, we must not allow our efforts in Darfur to diminish our resolve to take forward the crucial Comprehensive Peace Agreement for Sudan as a whole.
The adoption in the year 2005 of the United Nations Ten-Year Capacity Building Programme for the African Union was followed last year by the Declaration on “Enhancing UN-AU Cooperation”. The Programme and Declaration reflect our joint commitment to find more effective ways to advance peace and security in Africa.