South African Government Delegation to Participate in SADC Ministerial Committee Meeting of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation Maputo, Mozambique Wednesday, 6th - Friday, 8th August 2003

A South African Ministerial delegation consisting of Ministers Mosiuoa Lekota; Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi; Lindiwe Sisulu and Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad will participate in the meeting of the SADC Interstate Politics and Diplomacy committee (ISPDC) in Maputo, Mozambique on Wednesday, 6 August 2003.

This follows the recent meeting of the SADC Interstate Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC) in Maseru, Lesotho. Both Committees are sub-structures of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation.

The meeting of the ISDSC on 6 August 2003 is aimed at the operationalisation of its sub-structures, the consideration of the strategic indicative plan of the Organ, consideration of protocols on defence and security cooperation, as well as on the control of firearms, ammunition and other related materials.

The meeting will further consider the Mutual Defence Pact, aspects of a common defence and security policy to be finalised within the framework of the African Union, strengthening of regional capacities and strategies for conflict prevention, peacekeeping and post conflict recovery.

The ISDSC meeting is being held ahead of the Ministerial Committee Meeting of the Organ which will meet on Thursday, 7th - Friday, 8th August 2003 in Maputo to among others review the implementation of its previous decisions and consider the reports of both the ISDSC and ISPDC. This meeting will also consider the status of ratification of SADC protocols, the regional political situation and the funding of the Organ.

The Ministerial Committee of the Organ will report to SADC Summit that will take place in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania from 25-26 August 2003.

For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
5 August 2003