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the diplomat INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EDITor’s note INSIDE Welcome to another edition of the Articles diplomat. The month of May was also packed with a number of political INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS engagements which included President 4 WEF Africa Jacob Zuma’s participation in the World Economic Forum for Africa, Opening of 5 SA-Algeria BNC the South Africa Pavilion at the Shanghai 6-7 Shanghai Expo Expo by Minister Maite Nkoana- Mashabane, Deputy Minister Ibrahim 8 Deputy Minister Ebrahim’s Ibrahim’s Middle East Tour, hosting of Middle East Tour the NEPAD’s Board meeting by the 9 10th Annual ICRC Seminar Department, IHL Annual Seminar as well as the Human Trafficing Seminar. 10 NEPAD Board Meeting May was also the month to celebrate Worker’s Day and Africa Day. 8 In this edition, we also bring you the following: SA-Algeria’s 5th BNC, Tourism Indaba, feature article on a colleague who started working at DIRCO as a security officer and is now currently completing his diplomatic training, we also bring you the last three host cities’ profiles, (Cape Town, Rustenburg and Polokwane) plus many more...................... the diplomat is an internal newsletter of the Department of International Relations 4 and Cooperation published by the DEPARTMENTAL ISSUES Branch: Public Diplomacy 12 Human trafficking Editor-in-Chief: 13 From security officer 6 Saul Molobi to diplomat Editor: 14 SA Tourism Paseka Mokhethea Indaba Chief Sub Editor 16 Once upon a time Elion Von Wielligh in Belgium Managing Editor Siphokazi Mgudlwa 20 Profile: Library Services Proofreaders: Elion Von Wielligh & Mahendra 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP Shunmoogam Polokwane proud 30-35 Cape Town, Head Designer 2010 host cities Pumeza Albert Rustenburg and YOUR HEALTH Picture Editor: Jacoline Prinsloo 30 The value of ONYX 13 30-31 Smoking: health risk Photographers: Jacoline Prinsloo, Sanjay Singh & Unathi Ngamntwini MISSION ACTIVITIES 18 Q & A with The views expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the Dirco the mission staff in or the editors. Canada Moscow, Cairo, The deadline for the next diplomat 28-29 contributions is 18 June 2010. 16 Botswana, Vienna, Contributions may be sent to cbe000 or Athens and Chile [email protected] mission activities All enquiries: Paseka Mokhethea @ 2 the diplomat May 2010 Tel: (012) 351-1569 the diplomat May 2010 3 International International the diplomat the diplomat Relations Relations SA /ALGERIA’S 5th BNC WORLD ECONOMIC he 5th Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between the Government of the People’s FORUM ON AFRICA Democratic Republic of Algeria and the Government of the TRepublic of South Africa was held in Algiers, Algeria, from 25 to 26 May 2010. The Algerian delegation was led by His Excellency Mr Abdelaziz Bouteflika, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and the South African delegation was led by His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa. President Zuma used the occasion of his visit to lay a wreath at the Martyr Memorial Site in honour of the memory of the gallant combatants of the Algerian revolution. He also received in audience the Speaker of the Algerian Council Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane dur- of the Nation, Hon. Mr Abdelkader Bensalah, ing discussions in Algeria as well as the Prime Minister of Algeria, Hon. President Jacob Zuma participating in discussion during the WEF on Africa Mr Ahmed Ouyahia. • Programme of Action on Sports The 5th Session of the BNC was preceded and Recreation; and whose resolution should be based on the right resident Jacob Zuma Africa’s regional economic integration by a Ministerial preparatory meeting in Pretoria • Memorandum of Understanding between of the self-determination for the people of undertook a visit from 05-07 agenda; and held from 30 to 31 March 2010, during which the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of Western Sahara through a referendum. May 2010 to Dar es Salaam, · Emphasise the role of Africa in bilateral consultations were held within the South Africa (PetroSA) and Sonatrach. They further condemned the violation of Tanzania, to attend the 20th transforming international financial context of the BNC’s Technical Working They also witnessed the initialling of the human rights in the occupied territories of meeting of the World Economic architecture to sustain growth post the Groups (TWGs). THREE MEMORANDA OF Western Sahara and called on the United Forum (WEF) on Africa. The global financial and economic crisis. The two Presidents held private talks, which UNDERSTANDING WHICH WILL BE Nations to assume its responsibilities regarding PWEF presents an opportunity to engage the were later expanded to include members of SIGNED LATER: this issue, by setting up a mechanism for the continental political and business leaders in President Jacob Zuma held a number of both delegations. • Memorandum of Understanding on protection of the human rights for the Sahawari partnerships to shape global, regional and bilaterals on the sidelines of the World During their talks, the two Heads of State Labour and Social Security; people. industry agendas. In line with the outcomes Economic Forum on Africa. These included hailed the excellent relations between • Agreement on Cooperation in the Water Regarding the situation in the Middle East, of the 19th WEF on Africa, it is noted that a meeting with the World Trade Organisation Algeria and South Africa and expressed their Sector; and the Heads of State reiterated their support for the transition to a post-crisis world presents (WTO) Director-General, Pascal Lamy. satisfaction with the quality of the relations of • Executive Programme of Tourism the pursuit of a just and lasting settlement of Africa with an opportunity to rethink its growth The meeting discussed how to strengthen friendship, solidarity and co-operation between Cooperation for the period 2010-2012. the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This will include roadmap. Participants exchanged views in the multilateral trade system, both in regard the two countries. They also expressed providing the Palestinian people the right to an attempt to answer the question: “How are to the finalisation of the Doha Development their appreciation for the efforts aimed at The 5th Session of the BNC, which took place establish their own state with El Qods as the leaders rising to the challenge and designing a Round of negotiations, and the challenges of strengthening the political and economic against the background of the 47th Africa capital. new growth strategy for Africa?”. regional integration in Africa. President Zuma relations between the two countries. In this Day, was an opportunity for both sides to The Heads of State reaffirmed their The aforementioned theme is also in line also met with Kenyan Prime Minister Raila regard, they reiterated their commitment reiterate their commitment to join their efforts commitment to combating international with the Africa discussions during the 40th WEF Odinga to discuss issues of mutual interest to further strengthen these links in view of for promoting peace, stability and economic terrorism and pledged their support to AGM in January 2010. and strengthening of political and trade the exemplary levels of cooperation and of development in the African continent. reinforcing African efforts in this regard in Above: Ministers Buyelwa Sonjica and Pravin Gordhan also relations between Kenya and South Africa. attended WEF on Africa the strategic partnership between the two The Heads of State welcomed the active cooperation with the international community. SOUTH AFRICA’s pARTICIPATION IN Below: President Jacob Zuma and Kenyan Prime Minister, countries. role played by both countries in their respective Both Presidents strongly condemned WEF ON AFRICA WAS TO: He also participated in a panel discussion Raila Odinga The willingness for the enhancement of the regions for the promotion of peace, stability terrorism in all its forms and in all parts of the · Promote the national, regional and on “The Future of Africa’s Democracies”. economic relations between the two countries and good neighbourliness. While noting world and reiterated their support for the African continental socio-economic development President Zuma attended the 19th World was consolidated by the Business Forum that the concerted efforts of African leaders to Union and United Nations resolutions which imperatives, as embodied in the New Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town in was held in Algiers on 25 May 2010. resolve African conflicts, they nevertheless criminalise the payment of ransoms. In view Partnership for Africa’s Development June 2009 and the WEF Annual Meeting in The two Heads of State noted with emphasised the need for the strengthening of the foregoing, President Zuma expressed (NEPAD) principles and objectives; Davos, Switzerland, in January this year. satisfaction that a Ministerial follow-up of the AU’s existing capacity for conflict South Africa’s support for the African Union · Promote the importance of trade, He was accompanied by Minister of Finance mechanism has been institutionalised to prevention, management and resolution. Centre for the Study of Terrorism based in industrialisation, agricultural development, Pravin Gordhan; Minister of Science and meet regularly to evaluate progress and to They also noted with satisfaction the progress Algiers. infrastructure development and Technology Naledi Pandor; Minister of plan for the future sessions of the Bi-National made in the enhancement and implementation
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