South African Private Military Companies in Iraq

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO 73

QUESTION TIME: 08 SEPTEMBER 2004

MS R TALJAARD (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

(1) Whether the Government has had any contact with either the Swiss or British governments in respect of South African private military companies, specifically two companies (names furnished - Meteoric Tactical Solutions and Erinys International), for protecting facilities and officials of the two governments concerned without having obtained approval for such contracts from the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether the Government specifically communicated the lack of compliance with the provisions of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 1998 (Act No 15 of 1998), by these firms in contracting with the two governments concerned; if not, why not; if so, when;

(3) Whether she will make a statement on the matter? N780E

REPLY:

(1) Yes. The Swiss Ambassador in Pretoria approached the Department of Foreign Affairs on 2 June 2004 with regard to the South African company that provides, amongst others, security services to foreign personnel based in Iraq, including Swiss Embassy personnel in Baghdad.

The British Government has not approached the Department of Foreign Affairs.

(2) The Department of Foreign Affairs referred the matter of MTS to the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) for consideration in terms of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act (RFMAA).

(3) No.