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Statement on the Escalation of Violence
in the Middle East
The South African Government is deeply shocked and
saddened by the scale of the death toll in the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict over the last weekend. "It is intolerable
that this conflict is being allowed to continue claiming
lives, particularly of innocent civilians and children,"
the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs commented.
He went on to say that "South Africa, from its
own experience, expresses unequivocal support for the
Peace Coalition's view that dialogue and negotiations,
without preconditions, is the only way to establish
an aggressive agenda for peace making and an end to
the terrible escalation of violence and death".
The Deputy Minister, following a meeting last week,
which was chaired by President Mbeki, to discuss further
initiatives following the Presidential Peace Retreat
held at Spier Estate, 9th to 11th January 2002, said
that South Africa remains committed to sharing its own
experiences with Israelis and Palestinians. "We
know that the majority of Palestinians and Israelis
want peace. Our unique experience of negotiations, notwithstanding
the violence that preceded the process, makes us convinced
that a genuine settlement can be reached in the Middle
East. Without a shared vision for peace, in which both
peoples are able to co-exist in two sovereign states
within secure borders the violence will not cease."
"Events over the weekend have shown yet again
that military occupation, aggression and terrorist violence
is clearly not delivering peace and security to Israel
nor statehood and dignity to Palestinians. We applaud
those Israelis and Palestinians who are standing together
to declare that helicopter gunships, tanks, guns and
human bombs will never ensure a secure future for their
children. South Africa believes that the mobilisation
of people towards moving together into an era of stability
and prosperity cannot be defeated by militarism, extremism
and terrorism. The time to act for peace is now!"
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082
990 4853.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
4 March 2002
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