Speech by  The Hon. B.M. Skosana - MP

Madam Speaker, Hon Ministers and Hon Members,

The implications of the South African Foreign Policy, both the African Agenda and the Global perspective reflect the immense and extraordinary commitment to the principles contained in the Kampala document of 1991 on the Calabashes dealing with the questions of Security, stability, development and co-operation in Africa.

There are enormous expectations from the World community that South Africa should assist in conflict resolution, peace building, institution building and multi party democracy within the African Continent. This in many respects amounts to a huge responsibility on the shoulders of our Head of State, Foreign Minister and her two Deputy Ministers, the Director General and the entire Departmental officials, more importantly the diplomatic missions abroad. This is one of the reasons why the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs supported the increased budget to deepen skills acquisition, professionalize the diplomatic front and expand the programme outreach.

South Africa like most Nation States feel that its National Interests, i.e. - economic wellbeing, national security, the recognition and protection of Human Rights, multiparty democracy and the rule of law would be better upheld, developed and protected in some form of a structured regional, continental and universal Geo-political and economic entity. This should explain South Africa's active and supportive role in SADC, the AU, NEPAD, the PAN AFRICAN Parliament, the Peace and Security Council and the various Economic and Trade bodies. The post world war International socio-economic indicators revealed to the Allies and their adversaries in the Berlin, Rome, Tokyo, Axis the crucial importance of the National Question, cautioning that a weak and unpopular domestic policy may render the nation vulnerable to foreign influence and the eventual subversion of the political and economic sovereignty. Hence a careful balance between foreign and domestic policy is absolutely vital to maintain internal stability.

With regard to the problems in Zimbabwe, we are still convinced that President Mbeki should not give up on Zimbabwe and its people, instead South Africa should suggest the initiative of an inclusive multilateral Inter-Zimbabwean dialogue comprising of all political parties, women and youth organizations, the business community, Religious bodies, trade Unions and non-governmental organizations. The alternative to this is undoubtedly going to be the invocation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution number 688 on International Humanitarian Intervention premised on the now universal view that the "Defense of the Rights and Human Freedoms must prevail over sovereignty and legal documents". [Africa in world politics - Pan African perspective - Guy Martin].

Pragmatic politicians know that this means imminent punitive diplomacy and forceful regime change by the powerful nations. In a similar vein this spells the quickest way of provoking inexorable attitude and intransigence on the part of the belligerent state. We now see this with Iran and Hamas in Palestine. Never the less in the words of Thucydides "the strong will do what they will and the weak will suffer what they must."

It is obvious that there are South Africans who are deeply concerned and critical of the lack of democracy in the Kingdom of Swaziland. On the other hand there are sufficient Elder Statesmen in South Africa who could be implored to initiate political dialogue with His Majesty the King and his Councillors in Swaziland to discuss Democratic Governance. It must be realized that the economic blockade of borders by ultra political activism imposes on South Africa the image of a revisionist state, a regional constabulary force bend on enforcing a Eurocentric version of democracy and the rule of law in Africa.

Like many Independent African States who gave refuge to South Africans fleeing from the atrocities of the White minority rule in South Africa, in the 1920's the spirit of Pan-Africanism in the Diaspora reinforced the efforts of the African National liberation Movements in their struggle against colonialism. It is therefore only fair that the Africans in the Diaspora benefit form the outreach of ASGISA. Unlike all other races the security of Africans abroad is neither assured nor guaranteed.

The Middle East question remains vex and complex. It appears as if when Hamas decides to abide by the Oslo Accords, recognize the existence of the State of Israel, accept the 'Road Map' and the 'Two State Solution', the Israeli Government will have chosen a unilateral determination of regional and state borders. The United Nations in particular the United States Government must intervene to discourage the Israeli Government's unilateral decision-making around the Peace process, and include Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in the process. At the same time Hamas must be persuaded to embrace peace and recognize the Oslo Agreement.

The realities of the Politics of International Power and Security demands that Iran co-operate with the IAEA to conclude a peaceful nuclear enrichment programme, satisfy the confidence building measures to avert a hostile UN Security Council Resolution because Regional Security arrangements are often Paramount, and India and China may not maintain their neutral position for much longer.

Madam Speaker, the Hon Minister of Foreign Affairs, the IFP supports the Budget Vote.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Hon. Ben Skosana: 082 887 2779
Noleen Hendricks: 082 886 9848