Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad has Arrived in New York Ahead of the Briefing to the United Nations Security Council Regarding Developments in the Ivory Coast Peace Negotiations

New York - South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad has today, Monday 25 April 2005 arrived in New York, ahead of a briefing to the United Nations Security Council on the mediation attempts of the African Union, under the leadership for President Thabo Mbeki, in the Ivorian crisis, on Tuesday, 26 April 2005.

This briefing to the Security Council follows discussions between President Mbeki and all Ivorian roleplayers - President Laurent Gbagbo, Prime Minister Seydou Diarra, former President Henri Konan Bedie, former Prime Minister Alassane Outtara and New Forces leader Guillaume Soro - in Pretoria, South Africa from Sunday - Wednesday, 3 - 6 April 2005, on conclusion of which the Pretoria Agreement was signed.

Deputy Minister Pahad's briefing to the Security Council will focus on the implications of the Pretoria Agreement for the resolution of the ongoing crisis in the Ivory Coast and mediation attempts since the signing.

This will be second time that Deputy Minister Pahad has briefed the Security Council regarding progress in the Ivory Coast mediation attempts.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
? Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
25 April 2005