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Clarity on sale of Fighter Jets by China
to Zimbabwe
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO 9: TRANSFER OF WRITTEN QUESTION NO 384
- PUBLISHED IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 OF 06
AUGUST 2004
QUESTION TIME: 08 SEPTEMBER 2004
MR DHM GIBSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
(1) Whether, in the light of a certain media report
on 10 June 2004 indicating that China has sold fighter
jets to the value of $240 million to Zimbabwe, in an
apparent violation of an undertaking given to her by
the Chinese government that it would refrain from selling
arms to the southern African countries, the Government
has sought clarity on the reported sale from the governments
of China and Zimbabwe respectively; if not, why not;
if so, what specific assurances have been given by the
two respective governments in this regard;
(2) whether the Government is concerned about expanding
Chinese arms sales in the southern African region; if
not, why not; if so, what steps is the Government taking
to address the matter;
(3) whether the Government is concerned that there
is an arms race emerging in southern Africa; if not,
what factors were taken into consideration in reaching
this conclusion; if so, what action does it intend taking
in this regard;
(4) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure
that South Africa and its Southern African neighbours
adhere to a request made by UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan in 1998 to restrict defence expenditure to 1,5%
of GDP; if not, why not; if so, what steps have been
taken in this regard? N454E
REPLY:
(1) & (2) The department has no official information
from the respective Governments of Zimbabwe and China
regarding the purchasing of fighter jets. This is a
bilateral matter between Zimbabwe and China.
(3) & (4) The request by the UN Secretary-General
Kofi Annan in 1998 for South
Africa and its Southern African neighbours to restrict
defence expenditure to 1,5% of their GDP's, does not
fall within the competency of the South African government.
This is a matter to be followed up by the UN as the
body, which issued the request. End
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