Deputy Minister van Der Merwe Summons Myanmar Ambassador to Express South Africa’s Concern at Developments in the Country

Pretoria – The South African government today Saturday 29 September 2007 joined the international community in expressing its grave concern at the recent violence in Myanmar that has led to the loss of life.

Accordingly Deputy Foreign Minister Minister Sue van der Merwe today summoned the Ambassador of the Union of Myanmar based in Pretoria to convey the South African government’s deepest concern at current developments in Myanmar.

Deputy Minister van der Merwe said, “South Africa is alarmed by the situation in Myanmar and condemns in the strongest terms the violence that has now become a feature of developments in the country.”

“The South African government reiterates its belief in the inalienable right of the people of Myanmar, as is with the peoples of the world, to engage in peaceful protest action to highlight their plight.”

“The South African government therefore calls on the authorities in Myanmar to respect this fundamental right of the people of Myanmar and to desist from further acts that will only fuel and exacerbate the current situation.”

“South Africa was party to the decision by the United Nations Security Council earlier in the week to dispatch the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, to Myanmar to evaluate the situation. The South African government, as is the case with all United Nations Security Council members, expresses the hope that Professor Gambari will be allowed to expeditiously fulfill his mandate.”

“It is the hope of the South African government that the Human Rights Council in Geneva will vigorously deal with the situation in Myanmar.”

“The long term solution to the current challenges facing Myanmar lies in a negotiated political solution between the government and the opposition.”

“Accordingly, the South African government urges the government of Myanmar to engage in this negotiated process with the opposition with a view to finding a long lasting solution to the challenges facing Myanmar,” concluded Deputy Minister van der Merwe.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

29 September 2007