Position of the South African Government on the United Nations’ Sanctions against Iran; South African Trade Relations for Imports from and Exports to Iran; and the Nuclear Enrichment Programme of Iran

QUOTE

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1010

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER No: 9 OF 30 MARCH 2010

MR S MOKGALAPA TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

(1) (a) What is the Government’s position on the United Nations’ sanctions against Iran; and (b) what are the trade relations in terms of (i) import from and (ii) export to Iran; (2) Whether the Government supports Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) (a) South Africa supports the Security Council’s resolutions 1737(2006), 1747(2007), 1803(2008) and 1835(2008) in terms of which Iran should inter alia suspend all enrichment-related activities. Resolutions 1747, 1803 and 1835 were supported by South Africa during its tenure as a Non-permanent Member of the Security Council during 2007 and 2008. The United Nations Security Council has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security and is authorised by Article 25 of the Charter to take decisions binding on all Member States.

(b) According to statistics from the DTI website, South Africa had a negative trade balance with Iran of R21 074 499 000 in 2009, due to our high demand for crude oil from that country, which was South Africa’s second biggest supplier of oil that year providing 25,2% of all our oil mports.

(2) South Africa does not support Iran’s enrichment programme, as United Nations Security Council mandatory resolutions require Iran to suspend all enrichment-related activities. South Africa does, however, support the right of States Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in accordance with Article IV of the Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes without discrimination and in conformity with Articles I and II of that Treaty.

UNQOUTE