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Media Statement on the Meeting Between
Deputy Minister A Pahad and the Israeli Ambassador
The Deputy Minister today, Friday 5 April, held a meeting
with Israeli Ambassador, Tova Herzl, to convey a message
from the South African Government to the Israeli Government.
He informed the Ambassador that it is the South African
Government's view that Israel should:
· immediately implement UN Security Council
(UNSC) resolution 1402 as expressed unanimously by the
UNSC's adoption of resolution 1403 today Friday 5 April;
· allow international diplomatic representatives
to enter Ramallah and have access to their offices today,
Friday 5 April.
Additionally, that the Arab Group has this week conveyed
the view to the South African Government that the current
military offensive by Israel is leading to a situation
where there is serious talk of imposing sanctions against
Israel. They further suggested that Israel is at a crossroad
and must choose between the path of peace and international
partnership or war and the consequences of punitive
measures and isolation from the international community.
Following the adoption of UNSC 1403, in the early hours
of Friday 5 April, which "demands the implementation
of its resolution 1402 (31st March 2002) without delay",
the South African Government called an urgent meeting
with the Israeli Ambassador to convey our view that
Israel should comply with this resolution.
Resolution 1402 calls for a cease-fire; the withdrawal
of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities; the parties'
full co-operation with General Zinni, and for the implementation
of the Tenet Plan and Mitchell recommendations.
The South African Government welcomes the statement
by US President George Bush on Thursday 4 April, demanding
that Israel withdraws its forces. It is encouraged by
his decision to send Secretary of State, Colin Powell,
to the region.
"The unprecedented adoption of two UNSC resolutions
within a week demonstrates that the international community
will not condone the continuation of massive Israeli
military aggression against Palestinian towns and cities.
South Africa notes the blunt statement made by the UN
Secretary General last night in which he told Israel
that the right to self-defence is not a blank cheque
and that the fight against terrorism does not justify
human rights abuses and violations of international
humanitarian law just as the Palestinians must acknowledge
that terrorism could never be justified", the Deputy
Minister said.
"The South African Government believes that Israel
has no right or jurisdiction to refuse our diplomatic
representative to Palestine access to our Mission in
Ramallah and that we today join other nations to insist
that diplomats to Palestine be allowed to carry out
their duties.
Our Chargé d'Affaires, Hannelie Booysen, along
with the rest of the diplomatic community in Palestine,
has been unable to enter Ramallah this week as the town
was declared a closed military zone by the Israeli Defence
Forces. We cannot accept that the Israeli Government
dictates to the international community accredited to
Palestine when they can or not function. The South African
Government finds this unacceptable and strongly requested
that the diplomats be allowed into Ramallah today, Friday
5 April", the Deputy Minister said.
Ambassador Herzl briefed the Deputy Minister on Israel's
perspective of the crisis and provided information and
documentation supporting Israel's belief that the Palestinian
Authority bears a direct responsibility for many of
the suicide bombings which killed 124 Israelis last
month. The Deputy Minister assured the Ambassador that
this information would be appropriately dealt with.
Following the meeting, Deputy Minister Pahad noted
that there were increasing calls for the holding of
public demonstrations in South Africa against Israel's
military offensive in Palestine. Such demonstrations
he said, should be peaceful and there should be no hostility
shown towards other South Africans due to their support
for Israel's current position.
The Deputy Minister reaffirmed the position of South
Africa that Israel's attempts to isolate and humiliate
President Arafat are a grave error. In this regard,
the Deputy Minister drew attention to US Secretary of
State Colin Powell's recent assertion that President
Arafat remains central to a political solution to the
Middle East Crisis.
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082
990 4853.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
5 April 2002
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