Minister of Foreign Affairs on Iraq: briefing

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
12 February 2003
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ON IRAQ: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Dr Z P Jordan (ANC)

SUMMARY
The South African Foreign Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, briefed the Committee on recent developments in Iraq and South Africa's policy and relationship with that country. She pointed out that South Africa supported disarmament by all and did not support war. South Africa felt that all diplomatic means should be explored to ensure that Iraq complied with the United Nation's resolution.

MINUTES
Briefing by Minister Zuma
Dr Dlamini-Zuma explained that Iraq had become a problem since it had stopped the United Nations weapon inspectors in December 1998 from continuing their work. Since this time, there has been international activity around the resumption of this inspection so that disarmament could continue. She stressed that everybody agrees that Iraq should disarm its weapons of mass destruction.

However, the Minister pointed out that the manner in which Iraq was made to comply was causing a problem in the international community. One group felt that Iraq must comply and that the inspectors must be given time to do their work so that the threat can be removed. South Africa shared this view. The second group felt that the only way for Iraq to comply was through war and a regime change. South Africa believed that the UN should decide what should take place and not individual countries.

She then outlined South Africa's stance. South Africa believed that the UN should not wage war. It was felt that the decision to go to war had to be decided by all in the organisation. South Africa also felt that where there was still an opportunity to resolve disputes through peaceful means, there was no need for war. War was therefore the very last resort. If the UN decided to go to war, it would be to protect or secure the collective security of all its members. South Africa did also not agree with an enforced regime change, as it believed that the citizens should decide who should govern them.

South Africa felt that the inspectors still had some work to do in Iraq and was concerned about the humanitarian crisis in the country, which also needs attention. South Africa's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs is currently in Iraq to determine whether Iraq has complied with the UN decisions regarding sanctions against it. He had also visited Iraq to share South Africa's experience in disarmament. She explained that South Africa had been cited in the inspector's report as an example of one country's voluntary disarmament. Some countries feel that Iraq has not complied with the UN's resolution, but most feel that they have. The issue of non-compliance seemed to revolve around some scientists who had refused to be interviewed without the presence of a third party.

The Minister said that there are advanced preparations for war, but South Africa felt it could still be avoided. South Africa also felt that not only should Iraq disarm but so should all countries with weapons of mass destruction. She voiced her concern that should war occur, it would cause difficulties for developing countries. She stressed that multilateralism should be the way forward and not unilateralism.

Discussion
Mr W Makanda (UDM) began by commending the Department for the work that it was doing and agreed that South Africa had to do all it could to stop a war. However, there was a need to articulate the issue of the inequality in the international community regarding weapons of mass destruction. The United States had these weapons as well and he felt it was time the world spoke out about this. The Minister did not add to these sentiments.

Mr C Eglin (DP) asked whether the war with Iraq was an extension of the war on terrorism. The onus was on Iraq to disarm itself; it was not the responsibility of the inspectors. The fact that South Africa had sent a commission implied that Iraq had not complied. Dr Dlamini-Zuma replied that it was the inspectors' job to verify compliance. If something was found, they had to ensure that it was destroyed. She agreed that the issue does become clouded with the war on terrorism. There was no evidence of non-compliance but a commission was sent to share South Africa's experience of disarming.

Mr Z Madasa (ACDP) asked whether Iraq had expressed any fears concerning its disarmament.

The Minister said that Iraq did not fear disarmament. They did, however, feel that no matter what they did, preparations were being made to attack them. It seemed, therefore, that they were doomed to war.

Mr B Geldenhuys (NNP) agreed that the US should not unilaterally decide to attack. He asked what South Africa's position would be should they attack. He also inquired about a letter of support that was handed over by Deputy Minister Pahad to Saddam Hussein.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma replied that South Africa could not say yet what its position would be and it would not be wise to speculate. She stressed that at the moment South Africa supported the UN. She reiterated that the letter given was to share South Africa's experience in disarmament.

Mr G Mngomezulu (ANC) wanted to know what the UN's position would be should the war go ahead. He also wanted to know whether the US had given the UN Security Council any proof, which it claims it has, of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction.

The Minister said that the UN must take a stand if there is a war and that it would then have to respect whatever decision South Africa takes. Any evidence that is uncovered should be given to the inspectors. The impression gained from the US's stance was that war was more important than disarmament.

Mr P Hendrickse (ANC) remarked that he found it strange that the US had said that Osama Bin Laden was dead, yet were now claiming that he was still alive and had links to Saddam Hussein. He also asked whether South Africa issued travel advisories to people traveling to the US or the UK.

The Minister said that they do not normally issue travel advisories unless there were real problems. While it had been discussed it had not been done yet.

Mr M Ramgobin (ANC) said that South Africa should play a role in bringing about peace and harmony in the world. He thought that the US was vulnerable, which is why it was acting this way. It was his personal opinion that one would never succeed in fighting guerrilla warfare. He cited the Vietnam War as an example. He felt that South should be given the opportunity to speak to the US in this regard. UN Resolution 687 does not take a regime change in Iraq into account. He also felt that the US had lost the moral high ground.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma noted that South Africa had made its position clear to all powers.

Dr S Rajbally (Minority Front) asked whether other countries would listen to South Africa. She also inquired about the relationship between South Africa and the warring nations and what effect the war would have on South Africa's economy.

The Minister stated that all countries are different and countries should accept that they will differ from each other. She agreed that the war may affect South Africa's relations with other nations, but that there were principles, which the government believed in, which could not be traded. One of these was the fact that the government believed that citizens should decide who governs them. The South African government had stood by this in the case of Zimbabwe and will continue to stand by the principles which it believes are important. She added that the economy would probably be affected through the oil price.

Dr A van Wyk (NP) wanted to know how South Africa was engaging the US and how the crisis in NATO would affect South Africa.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma reiterated that South Africa had engaged the US and UK and had communicated its position to them. Some agreed with South Africa and some did not.

In closing the Chairperson noted that every effort needed to be made to stop the war and that Iraq needed to comply. He was personally bemused by the efforts of the US and UK to justify its claims regarding Iraq.

The meeting was adjourned.