South African Delegation to Depart for Equatorial Guinea

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma announced today, Friday 23 July 2004, that a team of South African Government officials, of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, Justice and the National Prosecuting Authority will depart on Sunday 25 July for Equatorial Guinea where to assist in ensuring a fair and proper trial for the eight South Africans detained on allegations of a coup plot.

This follows consultations held on 14 July in Pretoria between President Thabo Mbeki and President Obiang Nguema M'Basogo in which it was agreed to assist Equatorial Guinea in ensuring that the trial is fair and proper.

Minister Dlamini Zuma had also announced following these consultations that another delegation, possibly to be led by Minister of Minerals and Energy, Pumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, would be despatched in the near future to Equatorial Guinea with a view to ensuring the consolidation and strengthening of economic co-operation between the two countries. Details in this context will be released soon.

Minister Dlamini Zuma is currently in Mali where she will pay a courtesy call on President Amadou Toure before holding preparatory discussions with Malian Ministers ahead of the forthcoming SA-Mali Joint Commission for Co-operation meeting scheduled for Pretoria on 10-12 August 2004.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
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23 July 2004