Statement by Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the President's Trip to Haiti

Following repeated and highly incorrect media reports regarding the President's trip to Haiti, the government wishes to put the record straight.

The President went to Haiti to participate in the 200th independence anniversary celebrations marking the establishment of the first black republic in the world - an event whose significance is appreciated by the people of Haiti as well as millions throughout the world, particularly the peoples of Africa.

The President participated, as planned, in all the main independence activities in the Haitian capital, with the exception of the event in the city of Gonaives. We reject the notion that the "President (was) forced to call off his participation in the key ceremony marking Haiti's independence celebrations".

There were reports last week, apparently originating in Haiti itself, that "the President's motorcade was involved in a shooting incident in the Haitian capital". This is not true - it did not happen. The truth is that the President and those in his immediate party were nowhere in the area where the shooting took place.

We wish to place on record that no South African helicopter was shot at, and not even a single shot was fired at the South African contingent in Haiti. Some media reports continued even yesterday to repeat this false assertion that a South African helicopter was shot at in Haiti. By continuing this misrepresentation they totally ignored the official statement that was issued on the subject by The Presidency.

On the issue of mediation, it must be noted that the President sent the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and his legal adviser, Advocate Mojanku Gumbi, to Haiti to meet the opposition groups in Haiti early last month to prepare for the visit of the President. The opposition groups agreed to meet the President on the visit.

The President recognises that there are a number of regional organisations (such as the Caribbean Community - Caricom), countries and institutions who are involved in trying to assist in finding a solution to the problems of Haiti. Accordingly the President has no intention to mediate in Haiti. However, he has indicated that South Africa stands ready should we be requested to lend some help.

We hope that all South Africans, instead of carping and criticizing, will support this endeavour; and that they will hope for a satisfactory outcome, as we have seen in other theatres of conflict.

Enquiries: Bheki Khumalo, 083 256 9133
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
6 January 2004