January 2007 dfa

NowYour voice to be heard

Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma during the fi rst time meeting and briefi ng with the new united Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations headquarters, New York Editorial Note

The dfa Now is an internal newsletter of Department of Foreign Dear Colleagues Affairs published by the Directorate: Content Development. Compliments of the New Year to you all. Editor-in-Chief: Ronnie Mamoepa elcome to the January issue of DFA Now. May 2007 bring more adventure and success to Editor: Paseka Mokhethea Wyour lives and in our efforts to build and sustain a better Africa in a better world. Editorial Committee: Genge, MP: (Acting) Chief Dir: Policy, Research & Analysis; The beginning of the month (January) South Africa Khoza, G: Dir: Operations Centre; took up its seat at the United Nations Security Council Moloto, J: Dir: Office of the Deputy Minister; (UNSC). This means that during the coming twenty-four Dikweni, NL: Dir: Economic Policy and Programming; months, as the country undertakes its mandate at the Mashabane, D: Dir Humanitarian Affairs; UNSC, there will be challenges and opportunities that Nompozolo, Mathu: Chief Dir Human Resources; will require all of us to work harder and smarter together. Shongwe, LV: Dir: Office of the DG; South Africa and the Department needs all of you to Malcomson, D: Dir NEPAD, ARF, Programme & Information rise to the occasion and make this a memorable historic Management; achievement for the country, the continent and the world Mabhongo, X: Dir : United Nations; in pursuit of world peace and stability. Malawana XL: Operational Services

As it has always been the norm with DFA Now, you Design and Layout: Shaune van Wyk, Zimele Ngxongo can expect a fulfilling read in this issue. Pictures: Andrew Mohamed, Jacoline Prinsloo, Sanjay Singh and the GCIS. Please note that DFA Now needs and value your views/opinions. Please forward your letters and articles to The views expressed in this newsletter do not neccessarily the Editor before the deadline. reflect those of the DFA or the editors.The deadline for contributiions is 12 February 2007. Contributions may be sent to Hoping that you will enjoy it! cbe300 or [email protected] All enquiries: Paseka @ Tel: (012) 351-1569 • Fax : (012) 351-1327 Creative Corner Our Model Workaholic:

I am who I am (Dedicated to Nelson Rholihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela)

I am the burning power That makes the sun light I am the energy That keeps the moon bright I am the dynamo That keeps the stars shiny I am the motor That drives the wind speed I am the force That arms the fighting hailstorms I am the velocity That propels the sea waves I am the spark That generates the splinter of fire I am the seed That gives birth to life I am the impetus That swings the pendulum of time I am the power of change You are who you are Because I am who I am Once in a while a snaparazzi comes to the right place at the right time to snap a real hardworker in action. Mr Ebrahim Edries with no I am you, you are me shoes on while preparing for January 2007 Cabinet Lekgotla. - Kaya Somgqeza

 DFA Now • January 2007 International relations

Some of the Highlights of South Africa’s Highly Successful Tenure as Chair of the Group of 77 (G77) and China during 2006

“Let me start by thanking the Republic of South Africa for its sound stewardship of the Group of 77 and China during a demanding year…” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in remarks at the G77 and China Chairmanship handover ceremony, New York, 10 January 2006.

Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma during the ceremonial handover of the Chairmanship of the G77 and China to Minister Bakhtyar of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan.

outh Africa chaired the Some essential background promotes South-South co-operation Group of 77 (G77) and Established in 1964, the G77 is the and helps to strengthen economic and SChina during 2006. As largest coalition of developing coun- technical co-operation among devel- Chair, South Africa played a major tries in the context of the United Na- oping countries themselves. role in helping to promote the collec- tions. The Group has a membership of The Chair of the G77 and China tive interests and well-being of de- 131, despite the symbolic name of the receives its mandate from the Group, veloping countries. On 10 January coalition being retained. The G77 and helping to facilitate consensus posi- 2007, Minister Dlamini Zuma partici- China concerns itself primarily with tions on common positions whenever pated in a ceremony at the United economic development issues, as well possible. The Chair then represents Nations in New York, to transfer the as some environmental and social is- the Group and promotes this position Chair of the Group, which rotates sues. As such, the Group provides a in negotiations with other develop- every year, to Pakistan. This article platform for the countries of the South ment partners. As Chair during 2006, looks back on some of the highlights to articulate and promote their col- in order to defend the mandate of the of South Africa’s remarkable accom- lective interests in these areas and G77 and China, South Africa devoted plishments as the Chair of the G77 enhance their joint negotiating capac- its exclusive allegiance to the Group. during 2006. ity in the UN system. The Group also Continue on pg 4 ...

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The main objective for South Africa as having been a “battle for the soul of every element of the 29 special as Chair of the Group was to promote the UN” in which developed countries political missions (SPMs) for 2006; the development agenda of the South. tried to use the different elements of • During the 3rd meeting of the The primary means of doing so was the reform debate to shape the UN Conference of the Parties through enhancing the standing of into an organ which would better serve serving as the meeting of the the Group as a constructive, coherent their own interests and agendas. The Parties to the Biosafety Protocol and responsible partner in promoting G77 and China, under the leadership (COP-MOP 3), new ground North-South relations, in support of the of South Africa, was determined to en- was broken when the Group interests of the South. In this regard, sure that these reforms should lead to succeeded in finding common South Africa has been fully committed a stronger and more effective UN and positions on ten substantive to the promotion and protection of the successfully withstood the efforts by issues; interests of the G77 and to strengthen- other partners to hijack the process. In • In the ECOSOC resolution on ing the unity within the Group. the process, South Africa succeeded follow-up to the World Summit on Information Societies (WSIS) in keeping the G77 unified on a wide the G77 for the first time was South Africa as Chair of the G77 range of complex and potentially di- able to generate consensus and China during 2006 visive issues and ensured effective G77 positions and negotiate As Chair, South Africa successfully G77 participation in the negotiations as a united Group, while G77 led the Group’s participation in count- on these issues. Success in achieving members participated in the less international meetings during the consensus within the Group on several WSIS in separate regional year. Assuming the Chair of the G77 potentially divisive issues. As Chair of groupings; and and China brought with it tremendous the G77 and China, South Africa suc- • For the first time, the G77 and responsibilities and obligations for ceeded in being alert and responsive China developed common South Africa. to the dynamics on the ground in New positions and delivered South Africa was a very successful York and other international fora, help- statements on all items before the substantive session of the Chair of the G77 and China. Through- ing to build consensus within the Group Fifth Committee, including on out the course of the year, South Af- and ensure that the Group participated the scale of assessments for rica developed a notable legacy as in a cohesive and constructive man- the UN budget. A significant Chair by the manner in which effective ner in the negotiations on UN reform accomplishment in this regard and skilful leadership was provided to issues. South Africa engaged with the included the fact that South the Group in what turned out to be a broad membership, and often with fac- Africa served as the sole particularly demanding and challeng- tions within the Group, in order to gen- negotiator on behalf of the ing year. Indeed, 2006 was a rather erate consensus on potentially divisive Group during the negotiations unique year within the UN as South issues in addition to engaging with the on the scale of assessments Africa had to lead the G77 in dealing development partners on a daily basis for the apportionment of with a number of new issues emanat- in order to promote and protect the the expenses of the United Nations for the period 2007- ing from the 2005 World Summit. In mandate received from the Group. The 2009. For the first time in this regard, the issue of the reform of general consensus among G77 Mem- such negotiations, the Group the UN, in the context of the ongoing ber States and observers is that South managed to form a common debate about the implementation of Africa has succeeded in providing position from the outset, which the 2005 World Summit Outcome, ef- strong, pro-active and effective leader- was maintained to the very end, fectively polarised the UN to a degree ship of the Group. South Africa proved despite considerable pressure not seen in several decades. Several its ability to generate consensus within from other partners who sought complex issues flowing from the 2005 the G77 and China where this has pre- to divide the Group – resulting Summit Outcome dominated the UN viously eluded the Group. ion the G77 and China agenda during 2006. Of these, the In this regard, South Africa also achieving almost all the goals establishment of the Peace Building successfully generated consensus set out right at the beginning of the negotiation process. Commission, the Common Emergen- within the Group where this has pre- cy Response Fund, the Human Rights viously seemed impossible and had The negotiations on the scale of Council, the lifting of the expenditure eluded previous Chairs. Noteworthy assessments were a significant suc- cap on the UN and the resolutions on examples in this regard include: cess for the G77 as the final outcome the follow-up on the development ele- • The generation of a common reflects the interests of developing ments in the Summit Outcome and on G77 and China position on countries, including mitigation for the reform of the UN Economic and ECOSOC reform; those G77 countries facing increases Social Council (ECOSOC), have al- • United G77 and China support of more than 20% in their rates of as- for a resolution in the Statistical ready been achieved. 2006 was also sessment. Developing countries re- Commission on indicators for the year in which the scale of assess- achievement of the MDGs; ceived a combined reduction in regu- ments had to be reconsidered. • In the Fifth Committee, the G77 lar budget assessments amounting managed for the first time to to almost $9 million annually. In ad- 2006 has been described by some have a firm position on each and dition, developing countries over the

 DFA Now • January 2007 International relations

next three years will pay less towards tember 2006, which took place on the Pakistan, which was represented by the peacekeeping budget, which has margins of the 10th General Confer- Mr. Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar, Min- increased in 2006 to more than USD ence and 17th General Meeting of the ister of State for Foreign Affairs. UN 5 billion annually, and the cost of the Academy of Sciences for the Develop- Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, the USD 1.88 billion project to refurbish ing World (TWAS) and the 9th General acting President of the UN General the UN Headquarters, which Member Assembly of the Third World Network Assembly, Ambassador Frank Ma- States will be assessed for in early- of Scientific Organizations (TWNSO), joor and the Secretary-General of 2007. In this regard South Africa was in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro, UNCTAD, Supachia Panitchpakdi, able to generate this relief through the Brazil. On that occasion the Ministers also participated in the ceremony. redistributing of points received from successfully launched the G77 Con- In her statement, Minister Dlamini the Russian Federation and some sortium on Science, Technology and Zuma noted that during 2006, there Members of the G77 and China. Innovation for the South (COSTIS), were intense, hard and lengthy nego- As a result of South Africa’s tena- to fulfill the mandate given by the Ha- tiations with the developed countries cious and tireless efforts during our ten- vana Programme of Action and the which resulted in positive outcomes for ure as Chair of the G77 and China for Doha plan of Action, which decided the G77 and China. This was due to 2006, the Group managed to generate the establishment of “a consortium on the solidarity and collective spirit of the extraordinary new levels of prepared- knowledge and technology.” Member States of the Group, on occa- ness, cohesion and solidarity within its sion under extreme pressure, to articu- ranks. As a result, the G77 and China 30th Annual Meeting of the Minis- late and promote its collective interests has re-emerged as a grouping within ters of Foreign Affairs and enhance the Group’s joint negoti- the United Nations system with a clear The 30th Annual Meeting of the ating capacity on all major issues. Un- vision and well-articulated goals. With Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Mem- der South Africa’s leadership, the G77 the carefully-considered consensus ber States of the G 77 and China met in and China worked for the creation of an positions that South Africa facilitated New York, at the UN Headquarters, on enabling international economic envi- within the Group and promoted and 22 September 2006. The declaration ronment in order to support developing defended in various multilateral fora, adopted by the Ministerial expressed countries’ efforts to achieve sustained the G77 and China has reaffirmed its deep appreciation to South Africa for economic growth and sustainable de- standing in the United Nations system the “excellent work and tireless efforts velopment. The Group’s solidarity and as a reasonable but formidable nego- as Chair” of the G77. The Ministerial collective positions throughout 2006 re- tiating partner. also elected Pakistan to the Chairper- sulted in a greater understanding and sonship of the Group for 2007. respect for developing countries’ posi- Special G77 Ministerial Meeting in tions, interests, needs and aspirations Putrajaya, Malaysia A legacy we should all be proud of on the part of the developed countries. As indicated above, the context in The world today is beset by acute This has placed international economic, which South Africa chaired the G77 in economic and social problems. Inter- financial and social development obli- 2006 was an unprecedented one in national economic relations continue to gations and commitments firmly on the terms of the number of new and impor- be marked by uncertainty, imbalances United Nations agenda and has once tant issues that the Group has had to and recessions with marginalisation of again reinforced the vital role of multi- deal with. The importance of the new developing countries, especially the lateralism and, in particular, the role of issues, especially those relating to UN least developed among them. Under the UN system in economic and social reform, that the Group had to deal with South Africa’s leadership, the G77 development. In the words of Minister was demonstrated by the decision for and China has expressed deep con- Dlamini Zuma during the handover cer- South Africa to convened a first ever cern about the tendency on the part of emony: Special G77 Ministerial Meeting, which developed countries to take decisions “In January 2006 when South Af- took place on the margins of the NAM that affect the world economy outside rica assumed the Chair of the Group Ministerial Meeting in Putrajaya, Ma- the multilateral framework of the UN of 77 and China we stated that South laysia, on 29 May 2006. This Ministe- system and without giving full consid- Africa looked forward to reaffirming rial meeting was successful and dealt eration to the interests of developing the principles of the Group and to exclusively with issues that flowed from countries. In the face of growing unilat- strengthen our unity, cohesion and vi- the 2005 World Summit. The Ministeri- eralism, the G77 is playing an impor- sion of a fair and equitable multilateral al provided policy guidance to the G77 tant role in reviving and strengthening system. We also assured you that Chair for the ongoing negotiations in the multilateral system and reforming South Africa would spare no effort in New York on these issues. the UN into the type of international ensuring that we collectively enhance organization that it should be. the development agenda of the South. G77 Ministerial Meeting on Science Pakistan was elected to Chair We hope that we have fulfilled this and Technology the G77 during 2007. On 10 January pledge during our tenure as Chair of South Africa also convened a suc- 2007, Minister Dlamini Zuma partici- the Group of 77 and China.” cessful G77 Ministerial Meeting on pated in a ceremony in New York to Science and Technology on 3 Sep- hand over the Chair of the Group to Of that, there can be no question.

DFA Now • January 2007  Departmental Events

event attracted and appealed to the the DFA’s 16 Days of Activism general employees of the department because the violence against women and children is a societal issue and therefore demands a unified approach from the general public. This will assist in eradicating the binary oppositions such as victim and perpetrator binaries which present violence against women as a terrain of only one section of our community. The civil society was also invited to make a contribution to the dialogue which the department hopes to sustain throughout 2007. Mr Kaizer Thibedi from the civil society presented and spoke about paradigm shift in gen- Ambassador Nozipho Janaury-Bardill with Amasssador Jessie Duarte and other DFA der politic and started to involve men colleagues during the 16 days of activisim commemoration at the Union Buidlings. who were not participating actively in public programmes dealing with gen- he Directorate: Marketing ciety. The Acting Director General Am- der issues. The programme was highly and Employee Wellness bassador Duarte reiterated and spoke interactive as employees of the de- TCentre (EWC) hosted the an- about how the departmental policies partment were given an opportunity to nual 16 Days of Activism to no violence protects and speak against any form of interact with the issue and share their against women and children on the 7th violence and prejudice especially wom- opinions and experiences with fellow December 2006. This was to reinforce en abuse. The same sentiments were workers and senior officials in the de- the department’s commitment to deal echoed by the Chief Director: Gender partment. Poetry recital was rendered with and eradicate any form of victimi- and Transformation, Ms Ruby Marks, by Flo in collaboration with Motswako zation and violence experienced by our a known gender activist who has just String Quartet and the event ended on women and children and the general so- recently joined the department. The a high note.

The 9th International Fair

On 11 November 2006 the Depart- economic opportunities provided by and a country share amongst others, ment of Foreign Affairs co-hosted the In- your countries”. cultural experience with each other and ternational Fair with the City of Tshwane. The International Fair was in its ninth build human bridges that indeed will in- Deputy Minister Ms Sue van Der Merwe year and is a cultural and culinary event crease the age of hope”. invited all foreign missions in South Af- hosted with the aim of raising funds for Countries that exhibited at the event rica to come and showcase their cultural charity organisations and promoting in- were Botswana, Pakistan, Trinidad and experiences with the citizens of South teraction and cultural understanding be- Tobago, and Algeria to mention a few. Africa at the Southern Lawns of the tween the citizens of Tshwane and for- However what seemed to be the most Union Buildings. Deputy Minister also eign Mission accredited to South Africa. interesting to the viewers was the Cu- gave a speech at the event. Also in at- Held under the banner “Building human ban and Mexican stalls that exhibited tendance were the City of Tshwane Ex- Bridges and Extending the Age of Hope” their Mohitos and Tequilas respectively. ecutive Mayor Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa, the event saw different foreign Missions The Chinese stand had its own share Heads of Missions accredited to South exhibiting what their countries can offer of viewers who flocked in to admire the Africa, Business People and other prom- to both tourists and business people in country’s traditional umbrellas and sev- inent people in Gauteng. In her speech terms of economic opportunities and eral other things. Not wanting to be left the Deputy Minister said that “Today we cultural diversity. The Tshwane Execu- out, South Africa exhibited several items meet here to share our different cultures tive Mayor Dr Ramokgopa added to the including mala mogodu, dombolo, mo- with one another in our efforts to build Deputy Minister’s sentiments by saying rogo, mqoboti, gemere, maotwana, and human bridges that will not only help us that “we are honoured to be the host to poitjie kos. to work together but also help us with this glorious event whereby we as a city

 DFA Now • January 2007 Departmental Events InternationalDepartmental relations Events

Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill (right) with Ambassador Thandi Lujabe-Rankoe during the book launch.

MEMOIRS OF A DIPLOMAT – WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN POLITICS

n September 2006 the Foreign know that many people paid with their and smell the fear, pain, danger and Service Institute teamed up lives for this precious freedom that we the trauma the author experiences Iwith Xarra books to celebrate now enjoy. The youth should therefore with her comrades. The death of her the heritage month and launched an be reminded of the ultimate price that son while being circumcised in a Ni- outstanding book entitled “Memoirs of the freedom fighters paid.” (122/3) gerian hospital and the continuous as- a Diplomat – A dream fulfilled” writ- Her story is about universal love, sassinations of her family members, ten by our own High Commissioner, in courage, hope, determination and comrades and friends while in exile Mozambique, Thandi Lujabe-Rankoe. commitment of a people united with are just some of the gripping experi- The High Commissioner’s book one goal in mind, to free others from ences which effectively depict the in- is a valuable contribution to the his- political and racial oppression. It is an security and the tragic life during this tory and education of South African inspiring story of development and re- time of those who were struggling society about what happened abroad silience which takes the reader on a against oppression. When the au- when some of the ANC members and journey of the author’s participation thor gently lands you comfortably in cadres were in exile. The author adds in the struggle against apartheid from a democratic South Africa where we another critical dimension to what a young age as a nurse in the rela- celebrate, commemorate our history similar books such as “Oliver Tambo tive comforts of rural Eastern Cape and heritage by institutionalizing our – Beyond Ingeli Mountains – by L. to the dangerous Gauteng province democratic values as we create posi- Callinicos” and “Still Grazing by Hugh as a novice activist, across the seas tive traditions, the reader cannot but Masekela & Cheers” have presented to the challenging yet supportive Afri- be amazed at the commitment, vision as a rich offering to our new democ- can Continent where she grew into an and sacrifices which those who were racy and the High Commissioner Lu- experienced and respected cadre until involved in the struggle made for the jabe-Rankoe captured the objective she graduated into a Diplomat and a democracy which is enjoyed today. when she said: Chief ANC Representative in the Anti- With that, comes a lot of respect and “it is my opinion that the younger Apartheid Movement activities in Eu- a strong sense of gratitude for mak- generation, those ones that were rope. ing such an experience accessible born free after 1994, should not take Throughout the reading of the this freedom for granted. They should book the reader can feel, visualize Continue on pg 8 ...

DFA Now • January 2007  Departmental Events Departmental Events

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through this writing. African parliament. The book also gives an insight to • In 2003, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as the first what HOMs do in missions. She hon- female finance minister in estly highlights some of the issues Nigeria and in Africa while which DFA Diplomats have to deal recently the former Tanzanian with such as being posted to a mis- Foreign Minister, Dr Asha-Rose sion which you wouldn’t ordinarily pre- Migiro has been appointed as fer. She however highlights what such the Deputy Secretary General of an opportunity provides, for instance, the United Nations. the development of annual events to • In US Condoleesza Rice is the officially acknowledge the contribution first US’s woman Secretary of made by various countries such as State who replaced the highly Tanzania, Botswana and Mozambique skilled Collin Powell and Nancy Pinosa has recently been towards SA’s liberation and she also appointed as the first woman introduced activities to commemorate House Speaker. all the ANC members who had been killed in those countries. It is therefore a very important book to be read by Women are therefore making his- those in DFA, firstly, to appreciate the tory, not only because they are wom- contribution which the “Political Ap- en, but because they represent a new pointees” made to our liberation and form of leadership which was formed, secondly, in order to understand and in most cases, politically during or respect some of the rituals and the under oppression and represent the legacy which they leave in each mis- new democratic values of good gov- sion in order to carry it forward as part ernance, putting people first in order of our history and gesture of apprecia- to achieve peace and sustainable de- tion of what placed SA where she is. Premier Thabang Makwetla of the Mpumalanga velopment. The question therefore is The book therefore presents a Province at the book launch. no longer about whether any country collective history made by visionaries should have a woman president but it who are committed to global democ- is about who and when. There is still racy and human dignity. What hap- nite paradigm shift towards popular a long way to go however in other ar- pened during the making of that his- support of women leaders in politics. eas. Leaders need practitioners and tory therefore has influenced the world • In 2006, in Liberia in our foot soldiers. order particularly as far as the role of Continent Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, There seems to be a gap in the field women are concerned. was elected as Africa’s first of conflict resolution, which needs stra- For instance, it has been argued female president. tegic thinking, facilitation, mediation,

that only three women have ever won arbitration and negotiation skills in ad- • Similarly in South America, presidential elections in the Americas, Michelle Bachelet, a candidate dition to specific characteristics which and all rose to power as the wives of for the centre-left coalition that are necessary. Based on the experi- well-known figures: Violeta Barrios governed Chile since the end of ences which are captured in the men- in Nacaragua, (1990-1997), widow Augusto Pinochet’s dictactorship tioned books and even those which are of journalist Pedro Joaquin Chamor- in 1990, was elected as the not documented, there is definitely no ro, Janet Jagan in Guyana (1997- first woman ever to win a lack of these skills in all sections of the 1999),widow of former leader Cheddi presidential election in 2006 South African government but there Jagan, and Mireya Mosco in Panama with a majority vote over her is a need, I argue, to consolidate all (1999-2004), widow of strongman Ar- right-wing opponent, a billionaire these skills in a strategic training inter- mulfo Arias. Argentina’s Maria Estela businessman Sebastian Pinera. vention in order to build a strong and • South Africa has its first woman Martinez, better known to the world formidable team (particularly including Deputy President who is as Isabel Pero`n, took over the presi- supported by highly respected women) of Peacemakers in Africa as dency upon the death of her husband, and competent female Ministers a form of “taking the baton from those Juan Domingo Peron, in 1974, and and Ambassadors in key before us” to the next level. Hence we was overthrown by a military coup two sectors such as foreign affairs salute the author of “The Memoirs of years later. In Bolivia, then Chamber and others who have led and a Diplomat ….” It is indeed a dream of Deputies Speaker Lidia Gueiler was directed key global discussions. fulfilled for all of us and the future is appointed interim president in Novem- The women speakers in open to those who can envision an ber 1979, then was removed from of- Parliament have also provided economically sustainable, democratic fice by a military junta in July 1980. leadership in the quality of and peaceful South and the rest of the There are many similar examples in procedures, debates and Continent as the ultimate objective. decisions taken by the South the rest of the world but there is a defi-

 DFA Now • January 2007 Departmental Events Departmental Events

“Envoy of excellence”

Ambassador Nozipho January-Bardill. he beginning of December 2006 saw Branch : Human Capital Management ven- Members of Branch: Asia and Middle East with residents of the Itumeleng Shelter for Boys. T ture into the Christmas holidays with much pomp and glory. The reason being that the DDG of Human Capital Branch: Asia & Middle-East Management, Ambassador P N Janu- ary-Bardill was nominated by the Africa community outreach Link Organisation to receive an award as an ‘African Envoy of Excellence’. Over the Festive Season, the from officials in the Branch, the boys did Ambassador January-Bardill re- Branch: Asia & Middle-East embarked not only receive all the stationery they ceived this award in Geneva, at a glit- on a community outreach program and had asked for, but also shoes, jeans, tering awards function. The award spread some Christmas goodwill to the shorts, t-shirts and even a McDonald’s recognised Ambassador January-Bar- needy residents of the Itumeleng Shel- Happy Meal. Added to this was a DVD dill for her contribution and the role she ter for Boys in Sunnyside. The Shelter player, DVDs and a Monopoly board played in the creation and promotion takes in abandoned boys between the game for the Shelter! of a positive image of Africa. Ambas- ages of 7 and 18, trying to reunite the Ms Kgaugelo Mogashoa, a mem- sador January-Bardill was honoured boys with their families and providing ber of the Planning Team, shared some for her noble initiatives in bringing a permanent home at the Shelter for of her thoughts on the project with DFA together the African Ambassadors in those boys who remain neglected by Now: “If each public servant contrib- Berne and the African Diaspora dur- their relatives. utes something meaningful to different ing her tenure as the Ambassador to The Branch decided on such a community centres, a gap will be filled. Berne, Switzerland. project instead of a Christmas party/ It does not have to be luxurious, but it The Africa Link Organisation is year-end function for the Branch offi- can be something that will make a posi- a non-profit organisation committed cials, the idea being to put a smile on tive impact on a person’s life. to the creation and sustenance of a the faces of the needy and to let them “The most fulfilling part of the credible African voice in the media experience their own Christmas. This project was seeing the smiles on the landscape of Switzerland and the project also served as a challenge to boys’ faces, is was indeed a Christmas promotion of Africa’s positive image other Branches and to interest them in for them. They thanked us for choosing and interests in the multilateral envi- coming up with their own initiatives, to them and are aware that government ronment. It has created the Solidarity illustrate the mandate of government cares for them, they were truly grate- Awards as an annual event to recog- and better the lives of all South Afri- ful.” nise Africans and friends of Africa who cans. The Planning Team further thanked make significant contributions to the Over Christmas, eleven of the boys the entire Branch: Asia & Middle East continent’s social, economic and po- had no where to go for the holidays and for making the project a success. litical development. remained at the Shelter. The Shelter in- Mogashoa added the final word: “We Congratulations Ambassador and dicated to the Branch’s Planning Team would like to challenge all other Branch- thank you for inspiring all of us further the needs of the boys, being such ba- es to join us in this successful initiative to fly the South African flag higher and sics as school backpacks and station- and search for other needy centres to become the new era diplomats who ery, and possibly some clothes. Thanks and make a meaningful contribution. will always aspire to be at the “Heart of to the generous donations received Together, we can make a difference!” African Diplomacy”.

DFA Now • January 2007  International relations

FREQUENTLY ASKED MYANMAR VOTE EXPLAINED QUESTIONS AND By Chris Landsberg (CITY PRESS, 28 JANUARY 2007) ANSWERS

outh Africa’s vote in the UN With its vote, SA sent the message that it 1. WHAT IS SOUTH AFRICA’S STAND- Security Council earlier this will safeguard the integrity of the UN. POINT ON THE SITUATION IN Smonth on the political situa- Over the next two years, SA will act MYANMAR? tion in Myanmar caused much contro- as spokesperson for other UN agencies, South Africa’s constitution guarantees versy and debate. and thereby make the case for the de- the human rights of all South Africans. In This vote also reopened a 13-year mocratisation of the UN, including the this context, South Africa is concerned debate about South Africa’s foreign Security Council. at the abuse of human rights anywhere policy. Is our diplomacy driven by ethi- On quiet diplomacy, UN under-sec- where they may occur in the world. cal considerations and principles, or are retary-general Ibrahim Gambari recently Secondly, South Africa supports the other more pragmatic considerations visited Myanmar and briefed the Security call by the UN Under-Secretary-General and agendas at play? Council in November on his interaction for Political Affairs, Prof.essor Gambari Many commentators, including An- with the Myanmar government and the for the military rulers in Myanmar to move glican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond opposition, including political detainees. the country towards democratisation. Tutu have, alas, reduced the Myanmar During his visit, he emphasised the Thirdly, we concur with the call by the vote, and the republic’s foreign policy importance for Myanmar to take con- Under Secretary-General for the release more generally, to a simplistic, one-di- crete steps to implement democratic of all political prisoners including Aung mensional, commitment to ethics. change and release political prisoners. San Suu Kyi A strict, godly interpretation of for- SA believed the US-inspired Secu- eign policy would naturally come to such rity Council resolution, and threats of 2. WHY THEN DID SA VOTE AGAINST uncomplicated reasoning as pure ethics, punitive action, would have undermined THE PROPOSED UN SECURITY but in the tough world of diplomacy, for- the “confidence-building” efforts initiative COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON eign policy is often driven by a multifac- of the under-secretary-general MYANMAR? eted set of considerations. So SA’s vote was a vote in defence South Africa’s vote against the pro- To be sure, with the handling of the of quiet diplomacy, and private and con- posed UN Security Council resolution consternation over the vote, SA has fidential engagement between New York was not a vote against the people of My- missed a golden opportunity to clarify and Myanmar. anmar or a vote for the military rulers of where exactly principles fitted into the Geopolitical calculations also loomed Myanmar. On the contrary, our own his- position vis-à-vis Myanmar. large. Determined to imprint its South- tory and struggle against apartheid en- SA could have expressed itself more South identity in global affairs, South Af- joins us to act in solidarity with the strug- forthrightly on the poor governance and rica’s Myanmar stance took cognisance gling masses of the world including the terrible human rights situation in that of the positions of the Association of peoples of Myanmar. country, while still voting against the Southeast Asian Nations and the Non- It is our view that the proposed UN Washington DC-inspired resolution. Aligned Movement. Security Council resolution on Myanmar But, what remains valid here, is to go SA stuck its neck out in defence of would have undermined current efforts beyond rudimentary explanations and the UN and multilateralism, challenging by the UN Secretary-General to help find try to understand what was really at work great power dominance in the UN and a resolution of the situation in Myanmar. in SA’s Myanmar vote. opting for engagement instead of con- In addition, it was our view that the So if not ethical motivations, what re- frontation. issue of Myanmar at this stage should ally drove SA to vote as it did? But in the public eye, there will con- have been better handled by other Unit- Several factors ranging from power tinue to be consternation over votes like ed Nations bodies such as the Human considerations, to desires to protect the Myanmar unless SA properly commu- Rights Council. UN system, to challenging the perceived nicates the reasons behind such votes. abuse of power by some Security Coun- And there will be even greater disquiet 3. DID SOUTH AFRICA CONSIDER cil members, and indeed quiet diploma- unless it also clearly highlights the im- THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF MY- cy … yes, quiet diplomacy. portance of principled considerations ANMAR AS WELL AS THE REGION IN The Security Council mandate is like democratisation and human rights. WHICH MYANMAR IS LOCATED? clear: to address threats to international But in the tough world of diplomacy, Most certainly, in the statement made peace and security. It was SA’s belief ethical considerations should count for at the UN Security Council during the de- that the recently formed UN Human just that – one consideration among sev- bate on Myanmar, South Africa’s Perma- Rights Council should have dealt with eral others, albeit an important one. nent Representative to the UN expressed Myanmar’s governance and human in no uncertain terms South Africa’s con- rights abuses. Chris Landsberg is a director at cern about the situation in Myanmar thus Taking it to the Security Council was the Centre for Policy Studies and expressing South Africa’s solidarity with tantamount to caving in to the US using a research professor at the Uni- the people of Myanmar. the council as a tool of US foreign policy. versity of Johannesburg Secondly, South Africa should also

10 DFA Now • January 2007 International relations

take into account the views of the region. In this regard South Africa took into ac- count the views of the regional organi- sation ASEAN. Countries of the region, members of ASEAN, consider that Myan- DG’s visit mar is not a threat to international peace and security. to Vienna 4. AREN’T THESE ARGUMENTS THE SAME USED BY APARTHEID SOUTH Ambassador Leslie Mbangambi Gumbi, AFRICA TO BLOCK UN SECURITY head of our embassy in Vienna. COUNCIL ACTION TO END APARTHEID The situation of Myanmar and apart- The Director-General of the Depart- views on pertinent disarmament, non- heid South Africa are completely different ment of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ayanda Nt- proliferation and arms control matters. in many respects. We reiterate our con- saluba, paid an official visit to the South Participants also reviewed South Afri- cerns about the situation in Myanmar. African Embassy and Permanent Mis- ca’s preparations in respect of the dis- On the one hand, with regard to the sion to the United Nations and other armament events that it will be directly situation in South Africa, apartheid was International Organizations in Vienna responsible for in 2007 such as hosting declared a crime against humanity by the from 15 to 17 November 2006. The pur- the NUCLEAR SUPPLIERS GROUP UN General Assembly and a heresy by the pose of the visit, the first by the Direc- PLENARY meeting and its Presidency World Council of Churches. The continent tor-General to Vienna, was to meet with of the Conference on Disarmament. of Africa as a whole including our own re- the Embassy staff. Secondly for the first These consultations presented an ideal gion of SADC, then known as the Frontline time in the recent history of the Depart- opportunity to forge common under- States were under constant military incur- ment, the Director General participated standing of South Africa’s positions on sions from the then South African Defence in disarmament consultations of Foreign a variety of disarmament, non-prolifera- Force in pursuit of members of the broad Affairs officials responsible for disarma- tion and arms control matters in general, liberation movement. These incursions ment issues at Head Office, as well as at including those that could be subject of saw a number of citizens killed and infra- the South African Missions in New York, focus by the UN Security Council where structure destroyed in Lesotho, Swaziland, The Hague, Geneva and Vienna. South Africa occupies a non-permanent Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana. At the meeting with the Embassy staff seat in this important organ of the UN for We were witnesses to assassinations in Vienna, which was also attended by the period from 2007 to 2009. of opponents of apartheid across our Ambassador Minty, Ambassador Gumbi The disarmament consultations, borders including Europe. In this regard gave an overview of the Mission’s activi- chaired by the Director-General, were there are suggestions that the deaths of ties, its areas of responsibility, including attended by Ambassador AS Minty the late Prime Minister of Sweden Olof the Mission’s challenges and priorities. (DDG), Mr X Mabhongo (Director: Unit- Palme and the late President of Mozam- The Director-General was also given the ed Nations), Ms TDG Molaba (Director: bique Samora Machel was the work of opportunity to meet separately with the Disarmament and Non-Proliferation), Mr apartheid agents. Mission’s Locally Recruited Personnel. VP Makwarela (Deputy Director: Disar- Simultaneously, we witnessed a full He also paid courtesy calls on the Sec- mament, Office of Ambassador Minty), scale war being waged in the territory of retary-General of the Austrian Ministry of Mr MJ Combrink (Deputy Director: an independent sovereign state of Angola Foreign Affairs and the Directors-Gener- Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Prolif- with devastating consequences for the al of UN bodies in Vienna. Counterparts eration) and Ms U Mgandela (Personal Angolans for over 20 years. On the other met included Dr Johannes Kyrle, Secre- Assistant to Dr. Ntsaluba), from Head hand, Namibia peoples suffered under tary-General of the Austrian Ministry of Office. Ambassador HB Mkhize and Mr the repressive regime of apartheid for Foreign Affairs, Mr Antonio Maria Costa, J van Schalkwyk (Counsellor), repre- many years. Director-General of the UN Office in sented The Hague, Ambassador G Mt- The UN accordingly declared South Vienna, Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, Direc- shali and Mr J Kellerman (Counsellor), Africa a threat to international peace and tor-General of the International Atomic represented Geneva and Mr J Pascha- security! South Africa indeed feels greatly Energy Agency and Ambassador Tibor lis (Counsellor), represented New York. indebted to the sacrifices of millions of Toth, Executive Secretary of the Com- The Mission in Vienna was represented people around the world who contributed prehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Or- by Ambassador LM Gumbi, Mr BJ Lom- to the downfall of that threat to internation- ganization. bard, (Counsellor: Multilateral), and Mr al peace and security, apartheid South The main purpose of the disarma- AB Wright (First Secretary). Africa. ment consultations was to exchange

DFA Now • January 2007 11 Where were you (DFA 2006 year-end party) ...