|
Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad's Statement
on the Arrival of President of Haiti, Jean-Bertrand
Aristide in South Africa
Cabinet received a formal request from the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) through the Chairperson of the African
Union (AU) President Joachim Chissano, for South Africa
to accommodate President Jean-Bertrand Aristide of Haiti
in our country. The South African government has acceded
to this request, in consultation with the AU, CARICOM,
the US and France, to contribute to the international
effort to bring peace and stability in Haiti.
Accordingly, the South African government takes this
opportunity to welcome President Aristide, his family
and aides to South Africa. President Aristide, his family
and aides would remain in South Africa until the situation
in Haiti has stabilised to the extent that they could
return. This temporary arrangement is made as South
Africa's contribution to stabilising the situation in
Haiti.
South Africa has a responsibility, as an African country
and as part of the international community, to ensure
that democracy and peace prevail in Haiti, and that
the people of Haiti are able to choose who their leaders
should be. Working together with the AU and other multilateral
institutions, we support Africans in the Diaspora and
the rest of humanity in the common struggle to achieve
peace, stability and prosperity in developing countries
and other parts of the world. We are pleased that the
United Nations (UN) Stabilisation Mission in Haiti will
take over on 1 June 2004 from the current US-led Multinational
Interim Force. The Stabilisation Mission is tasked with
establishing a secure and stable environment, fostering
democratic governance, assisting in organising free
and fair elections, strengthening the rule of law and
supporting human rights institutions and groups.
The South African government supports mulltilateralism
and an inclusive, peaceful and lasting solution to the
conflict in Haiti.
We appeal to all South Africans to handle this matter
with the requisite level of maturity, respect and dignity
that is concomitant with the role that South Africa
plays and is expected to play in international relations.
As we engage in public discourse on this matter, we
should be guided by the need to achieve a climate of
stability and peace in Haiti.
In conclusion, we wish to indicate that messages of
support have also been received from Caricom, the AU
and the Congressional Black Caucus.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
31 May 2004
|
