Minister Dlamini Zuma Condemns Assassination of Sri Lankan Counterpart

Tshwane - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma today Saturday, 13 August 2005 condemned the assassination of her Sri Lankan counterpart, Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in Colombo yesterday Friday, 12 August 2005.

"The South African government joins the international community in expressing its shock and outrage at the callous murder of Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar in Colombo yesterday Friday, 12 August 2005."

"The government of South Africa condemns without equivocation the use of assassinations as a means to achieve political ends."

"Quite clearly the objective of this assassination was to derail the current peace process between the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers."

"Both the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers owe it to the people not to allow extremists to derail the peace process, by renewing their commitment to efforts aimed at bringing about lasting peace."
"Those of us who knew Minister Kadirgamar personally will sorely miss his positive contribution in the multilateral fora, especially his invaluable contributions to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), CHOGM, and Indian Ocean-Rim (IOR)."

"On behalf of President Thabo Mbeki, the government and people of South Africa, we extend our heartfelt condolences to President Chandrika Kumaratunga, the government and people of Sri Lanka and in particular, his widow Sugandi and the entire Kadirgamar family during this time of sorrow and bereavement," concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
13 August 2005