Total Cost in Rand to the South African Government paid and to be paid from the National Budget of accommodating Mr Jean Bertrand Aristide, his family and entourage as Residential Guest since their arrival in 2004 until their departure for Haiti on 17 March 2011

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1013 (NW1128E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 7-2011 of 25 MARCH 2011

Dr CP MULDER (FF PLUS) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

1. What has been the total cost in Rand to the Government paid and to be paid from the national budget of accommodating Mr Jean Bertrand Aristide, his family and entourage as presidential guest since their arrival in 2004 until their departure for Haiti on 17 March 2011;

2. Whether the Government (a) is accommodating or (b) will accommodate any deposed foreign leader as presidential guest; if not, why not; if so, what will be the relevant details; 

3. Whether the Government has a set policy in place in respect of accommodating deposed leaders as presidential guests; if not, why not; if so, what does the policy entail;
   
   
4. Whether she or her department intends drafting such a policy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

1. The costs related to former President Jean Bertrand Aristide‘s stay in South Africa were similar to costs amounted to a South African Cabinet Minister.

2. Each case will be evaluated on its merits and the President will make the final determination.

3. The Government does not have such a policy in place.

4. Currently the Department does not consider it necessary to draft such a policy as each request will be considered by Cabinet on its own merits.

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