British High Commissioner: briefing

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
5 February 2003
BRIEFING BY BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER

Chairperson: Dr Z P Jordan (ANC)

Relevant links:
Prime Minister Tony Blair's Statement to Parliament following summit with President Bush
Department for International Development's Press Release: £30 Million of Humanitarian Aid to Africa
Chancellor of Exchequer, Gordon Brown's Press Release: "Doubling Aid to Halve Poverty"
Chancellor of Exchequer, Gordon Brown: Financing Sustainable Development, Poverty & the Private Sector
Prime Minister Tony Blair: Britain in the World
Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar: Joint Press Conference on Iraq
Under-Secretary of State: Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Baroness Amos, on Africa: British Policy
Secretary of State: Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Jack Straw: Strategic Priorities for British Foreign Policy
Secretary of State: Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Jack Straw: The UK and the Muslim World
Secretary of State: Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Jack Straw: Vindicating the UN's Founding Ideal

SUMMARY
The British High Commissioner addressed the Committee on Britain's foreign policy objectives and actions. She outlined the UK's role in the world and in Africa, and the present state and importance of UK-South African relations. The Committee heard that there are strategic priorities informing British foreign policy, which is crafted to accomplish the following goals: minimising international threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and terrorism, to support a stable international system by continuing to work closely with the UN, and to build up and maintain a strong European Union. The Committee was of the view that both the United Kingdom and the United States of America were too belligerent in their attitude towards Iraq. The international community should do all it could to avoid war.

MINUTES
Ms Ann Grant, British High Commissioner, addressed the Committee on the present state of Britain's foreign policy. She spoke to three broad categories: Britain's role in the world, Britain's role in Africa, and Britain's relations with South Africa.

Britain and the World
The High Commissioner stated that Britain formulated its international policy with the pillars of safety, justice, and prosperity in mind. These pillars should help to advance the interests of Britain along with the interests of the world. Ms Grant emphasized that the UK's foreign policy stands alone, and that the UK was committed to stopping terrorism and the development of weapons of mass destruction before the events of September 11, 2001. She asserted that Iraq should be forced to comply with the inspections and that Iraq was a threat because it had used weapons of mass destruction in the past. Ms Grant stressed that Britain was steadfast in its commitment to working within an international framework. She noted that the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has been devoted to working within international systems of governance and international law.

Britain and Africa
Ms Grant admitted that Tony Blair was not an expert on Africa when he first came to office, but that he has been inspired to become more involved with the development of Africa. All 33 British High Commissions across the continent would focus their efforts on peacekeeping and conflict prevention. Ms Grant referred specifically to £1,000,000 the British government is giving to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi this year. That figure would likely double for the following year.

The High Commissioner addressed the "dire humanitarian situation" in Zimbabwe. She emphatically denied the allegations that Britain had a part in the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe. The notion that Britain reneged on the Lancaster House agreement was unfounded. Britain pledged to assist with Zimbabwe's land reform, but explicitly stated that it alone could not shoulder the burden for land reform. Britain's support came in the form of both money and the rallying of the international donor community's support. In 1996, Britain stopped paying money to Zimbabwe's government because the government was holding onto £3,000,000.

South Africa-UK Relations
The High Commissioner was pleased about the state of UK-South Africa relations. There was a strong relationship at the top, with President Mbeki and Prime Minister Blair having mutual respect for one another. Both leaders want to strengthen bilateral ties. Ms Grant highlighted that Britain was the top foreign investor in South Africa. British companies employ 40% of South African workers that work for foreign companies. Britain was also interested in assisting with the development of the Eastern Cape province although the UN does not consider South Africa a developing nation.

Discussion
Mr C Eglin (DP) asked Ms Grant why Britain has not fulfilled its commitment to Zimbabwe.

Ms Grant replied that Britain had never committed to undertake land reform in Zimbabwe by itself. Britain pledged to rally the international donor community and to assist Zimbabwe with its land reform, which it has done. Zimbabwe must co-operate to receive more funding.

Mr Eglin noted that President Bush and Prime Minister Blair insist that they know Iraq is harbouring weapons of mass destruction. If they know, he questioned, why are they not co-operating with the UN weapons inspectors and sharing their information?

Ms Grant replied that Britain and the US were both co-operating with the UN inspectors to the fullest extent. She reiterated that Prime Minister Blair was fully committed to working within the framework of the UN.

Mr W J Seremane (DP) asked the High Commissioner what Britain defined as weapons of mass destruction. He also questioned why there were no inspectors in other countries.

Ms Grant replied that other countries such as North Korea, Libya, and Iran also have nuclear programs. Britain was attempting to settle those situations peacefully, as it had with Iraq. She repeated that Britain continued to hope Iraq would comply with UN Security Council Resolution 1441 and avoid conflict.

Mr Seremane then followed up by asking why Britain and the US did not get their nuclear arms inspected.

Ms Grant replied that Britain and the US submit reports to the UN concerning their munitions.

Ms F Mahomed (ANC) asked whether a single nation-state may override the UN Security Council.

Ms Grant answered that one nation could not.

Mr GP Mngomezulu (ANC) questioned why Britain was a close ally of the USA. He claimed that the US is a bully and asked whether Britain had calculated the cost of war and the process of rebuilding Iraq.

Ms Grant replied emphatically that Britain has its own foreign policy that aims to advance Britain's interests. Britain is not a lackey of the US. She did not address the question about the cost of the war.

Mr L Zita (ANC) stated that Britain should request that the US disclose what it has supplied to Iraq in the last ten years. Britain should further request that the US lead by example and dispose of its own nuclear stockpile.

Ms. Grant reminded Mr Zita that the US was South Africa's ally as well, and that any suggestions for the US should be directed toward the US ambassador.

Mr P Hendrikse (ANC) stated that although Iraq has used weapons of mass destruction, the US was the first country to use nuclear weapons when it bombed Japan. He asked the High Commissioner whether the UK has supplied arms to Iraq since 1991?

No comment was made by Ms Grant on this question.

Ms F Hajaij (ANC) stated that Iraq was supplied by and built up by the US and supported by Britain. Neither the US nor Britain have begun reconstruction in Afghanistan. She commented that the US has refused to participate in world governance that aims to achieve world peace. Ms Hajaij questioned why the UK was breaking with its EU allies about the situation in Iraq.

Ms Grant responded that Britain and the US have worked through the UN concerning Iraq. Iraq has had too much time to comply with the UN. Iraq must disarm. Ms Grant further explained that eight other EU countries have agreed with Britain. She maintained that being part of the EU does not translate into accepting the foreign policy of other countries.

Dr Jordan made closing remarks before adjourning the meeting. South Africa desires a successful inspection of Iraq to be completed and war to be averted. He reminded the Committee and the High Commissioner that when South Africa had agreed to halt its nuclear program it had taken two years for disarmament to be completed. It appeared as if Britain and the US expect Iraq to disarm in two weeks. He believed that the US and Britain were being too belligerent in their handling of the situation in Iraq. He stated that no matter how smart the smart bombs are, any country that claims it will not harm civilians is spouting nonsense. The international community should do all it could to avoid war.

The meeting was adjourned.