Minister Dlamini-Zuma to Host Palestinian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Sha-Ath

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma will, on Monday, 3 March 2003, host the Palestinian Minster of Planning and International Cooperation Nabil Sha-ath, in Pretoria.

The visit by Minister Nabil Sha-Ath comes in the context of President Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian National Authority's endeavors aimed at developing a constitution and their overall reform process.

The Palestinian Authority, which views the South African constitution making process as a model, approached President Thabo Mbeki and the South African Government to assist the people of Palestine by sharing experiences and expertise in drafting and developing a democratic constitution.

In this regard, Minister Sha-Ath is charged by President Arafat to lead the Palestinian efforts to draft a new constitution. In pursuance of this objective, Minister Sha-Ath will exchange views with South African Ministers who were involved in CODESA and the constitution making process including Ministers Vali Moosa and Sidney Mufamadi, on Wednesday 5 March in Cape Town.

Other similar encounters will include meetings with judges of the constitutional court and members of the Human rights Commission on Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4 March respectively.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
2 March 2003.