Statement on President Mbeki and Minister Dr Dlamini -Zuma's attendance of both the Franco - Africa and NAM Summit, 22 - 25 February 2003

President Thabo Mbeki accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini - Zuma will lead the South African delegation to Paris, to attend the Franco - Africa Summit from the 20 - 21st February 2003. President Thabo Mbeki will depart South Africa on Wednesday 19 February, while Minister Dlamini Zuma departs South Africa on Monday 17 February 2003.

South Africa' s presence at this Summit is highly strategic as Chair of both the African Union and the Non - Aligned Movement. Discussions at the Summit will be on the African Union, NEPAD, the role of civil society and political partnerships between Africa and the world. Prevention and resolution of conflicts will be discussed in the wake of several conflicts in the continent, with Cote de Voire, a worrying flashpoint.

The Franco - Africa Summit is expected to intensify calls for the fight against terrorism and organized crime.. The participation of Dr Dlamini Zuma in the Ministerial session of the Summit will lay the basis for President Mbeki's arrival on Wednesday who is expected to lead discussions on the New Partnership for Africa's Development.

As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Dlamini Zuma leaves for Paris, South Africa continues to intensify its efforts by making last - minute preparations to send its team of experts on the destruction of weapons of mass destruction to Iraq. Key to the discussions at the Franco-Africa Summit, will be the situation in Iraq, which is of critical concern to Africa and her development and South Africa will be part of continental efforts that will seek to avert war and its negative consequences for the continent.

NAM SUMMIT

Minister Dlamini Zuma will together with President Mbeki then depart Paris for Kuala Lumpur on the 21st February 2003 to attend the X111 Summit of the Non - Aligned Movement, in Malaysia from the 22 - 25 February 2003.

At this Summit, South Africa which is current chair of NAM will hand over the baton under the leadership of President Mbeki to Malaysia. The Summit will among others discuss challenges facing the movement in the current context. Critical will be discussions around the situation in Iraq and the Middle East.

During its tenure, South Africa as chair, among others, oversaw a ministerial visit, led by Minister Dlamini Zuma, to Ramallah to express solidarity with the people of Palestine through a meeting with President Yasser Arafat. In addition, the movement continues to play a major role with regard to averting a war with Iraq. In this regard, two UN Security Council reports into the situation in Iraq were for the first time in history presented and debated by the general membership of the UN. Indeed the 18 February debate on the report of the UN Inspectors will include the general membership of the UN, thanks to efforts and interventions by the NAM under the leadership of South Africa.

As President Mbeki stated during the 57th Session of UN General Assembly, the multilateral system of governance remains our only response to current challenges facing humanity. In this context, South Africa will continue to play a meaningful role in multilateral institutions such as the NAM and UN to ensure the achievement of the strategic objective of creating a better world for all.

For more information: contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 377 7208 or Nomfanelo Kota at 082 377 7208

Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

17 February 2003.