SA active in Iran, Israel
2006-02-03 12:22
Cape Town - South Africa remains "actively engaged" in helping find solutions relating to the Israel-Palestine conflict and Iran, according to President Thabo Mbeki, and would continue to engage in "African challenges" focusing on peace and democracy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cote d'Ivoire and Sudan.
Speaking to the nation in his state of the nation address in parliament on
Friday, Mbeki said South Africa was committed to the pursuit of negotiated agreements on the Israeli-Palestinian and Iranian issues, "consistent with our long-held views in favour of the formation of a State of Palestine, securityfor Israel, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes".
At the same time, he said SA would also focus on strengthening the African Union, and accelerating the implementation of the programmes under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad).
"In this context we have to ensure that we conduct a successful self-
assessment process as we prepare our national report for the African Peer
Review Mechanism.
"As the current Chair of the G77+China, we will do everything possible to advance the interests of the South, including in the context of the continuing WTO negotiations and the urgent challenge to reform the United Nations, including the Security Council."