Questions & Replies: International Relations & Cooperation
2010-08-20
THIS FILE CONTAINS 25 REPLIES.
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QUESTION NO: 3283
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 37 OF 12 NOVEMBER 2010
Mr J Self (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether the Government recognizes the elections in Myanmar on 7 November 2010 as free, fair and legitimate; if not, (a) under what conditions does the Government recognise elections as free, fair and legitimate, (b) what consideration is given to the assessment of international observers and (c) what is the (i) period within which elections are assessed and (ii) criteria for considering elections legitimate; if so,
(2) whether it will affect our diplomatic relations with Myanmar; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the Government recognises the winner of the elections in Myanmar; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply
(1) In the run-up to the elections in Myanmar in 2010, the South African Government consistently expressed concern that the provisions of the electoral laws passed in preparation for the elections were not conducive to inclusive, democratic elections. In particular, the provision that all persons who have been imprisoned for political activism against the Military Government were deemed to have "criminal records" and were excluded from joining any political party removed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from participating in the elections.
On 10 November 2010, the South African Government issued a Statement indicating that it had concluded that conditions had not been created for inclusive dialogue in which all parties and interest groups could participate freely and openly. The statement also made mention that there were indications that the elections had been marred by serious challenges and that they did not meet internationally acceptable standards in terms of inclusivity, transparency and fairness.
(2) The outcome of the elections will not affect South Africa's diplomatic relations with Myanmar. The South African Ambassador to Thailand will continue to be accredited to Myanmar on non-resident basis. Nothing so far points to the regime being willing to succumb to international pressure demanding dialogue and inclusivity. South Africa would therefore achieve nothing by breaking off diplomatic relations but would effectively close a channel of communication to share its own experience with reconciliation and nation building, should the Government of Myanmar ever decide to approach South Africa for advice and assistance.
(3) The status quo in Myanmar effectively remains unchanged. South Africa will continue to call on the Government of Myanmar, in line with the commitments made in the "roadmap to democracy", to show progress towards transition to an inclusive, democratic government, nation building and respect for human rights.
(4) South Africa uses international forums of pronouncing on the validity or otherwise of elections, these are; free and fair environment leading up to elections, the release of all political prisoners and proper conduct of elections themselves allowing people to express their will freely and through a secret ballot.
SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT STATEMENT ON THE ELECTIONS HELD IN MYANMAR ON 7 NOVEMBER 2010
The South African Government has taken note of the elections held in Myanmar on 7 November 2010, the first elections held in the country in 20 years.
South Africa has closely followed the process that led to the elections and concluded that conditions were not created for inclusive dialogue in which all parties and interest groups could freely and openly participate.
Indications are that the elections were marred by serious challenges and that they did not meet internationally acceptable standards in terms of inclusivity, transparency and fairness. Their credibility has been widely questioned.
South Africa continues to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar, but believes that an opportunity for progress towards democratisation, nation building and reconciliation was lost.
In line with the commitments made in the "roadmap to democracy", South Africa expresses the hope that the new government will show progress towards a transition to an inclusive, democratic government, nation building and respect for human rights.
South Africa calls on the new government to honour its undertaking to release Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, together with other political prisoners without delay and to allow them to participate in normal political activity.
For more information, please contact the Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Kgomotso Molobi, on 082 940 1647, +27 12 351 0083 or e-mail him at [email protected] .
Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation
OR Tambo Building
Private Bag X152
Pretoria, RSA
0001
10 November 2010
QUESTION NO: 3228PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 37 OF 12 NOVEMBER 2010
MR K S MUBU (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
In respect of the 2009-10 Annual Report and African Renaissance Fund (ARF) as well as the 2010-2013 Strategic Plan of her department and of its entities in the 2009-10 financial year, What is the (a) total cost and (b) number of copies of each (i) annual report and (ii) report on strategic plans that was produced by (aa) her department and (bb) any of its entities in the 2009-10 financial year?
REPLY:
In respect of the 2009-10 Annual Report and African Renaissance Fund (ARF) of the department the (a) total cost was R 209,566.37 and (b) number of copies was 3000 copies for the (i) Annual Report and 1000 copies for the ARF and for the
(ii) report on Strategic Plans the (aa) total cost was R 82,695.60 and (bb) number of copies was 3000 copies.
QUESTION NO: 3091 PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 34 OF 29 OCTOBER 2010Mr LS Ngonyama (COPE) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether her department has registered any notable progress in achieving the cooperation of neighbouring governments to optimally increase regional economic integration; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the nature and extent of the progress and (b) what are the further relevant details?
(2) Whether the Minister has any further plans in place to take the process further in the quickest possible time; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
(1)
Yes, progress has been achieved. (a) The global financial and economic crisis and the difficulties around the issue of the European Union interim Economic Partnership Agreements (i-EPAs) with SACU and SADC member states have underscored the need for countries in the Southern Africa region to work in close partnership in promoting higher levels of intra-Africa and inter-regional trade as a key driver for enhanced regional economic growth and development.
Consequently, the need to accelerate the pace of regional economic integration has become an immediate priority for South Africa and other countries in the Southern African region.
As such, the regional economic integration agenda is now a standard discussion item in the context of South Africa's engagement with SADC countries at both Summit and Ministerial levels, as well as in the conduct of its bilateral relations through mechanisms such as Joint Commissions, chaired by the President of the Republic of South Africa or the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, supported by relevant sectoral ministers.
Since the official launch of the SADC Free Trade Area (FTA) in 2008, significant progress has been recorded in the area of trade integration. This is borne out by figures which show that where in 2008, 85% of goods traded in the SADC region were duty free, by 2012, 99% of goods traded are likely to be duty free.
Against this background, the 30th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit held in Windhoek, Namibia in August 2010 served to highlight the urgent need to accelerate the pace of regional economic integration in SADC by committing the organisation and member states to an ambitious work programme, in support of the Summit decision that renewed impetus be given to accelerating the regional economic integration agenda.
In this regard, Summit endorsed the adoption of a comprehensive work programme with concrete actions and timelines aimed at consolidating the SADC FTA as an immediate priority focus area.
It further reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a SADC Customs Union and endorsed the decision of the SADC Ministerial Task Force on Regional Economic Integration to appoint a high-level expert group. The main mandate of this group will be to consolidate and reach agreement as well as a common understanding on the parameters, benchmarks and timelines of a model customs union and its implementation by December 2011.
(b) Undeniably, the future of South Africa's economic development and that of the SADC region is also linked to the future of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU). In this context, and in the broader framework of deepening regional economic integration, the decision taken by leaders at the occasion of the Southern African Customs Union centenary celebrations in Windhoek in April 2010, that the Heads of State and Government meetings be institutionalised as a formal structure of SACU, is seen as an important indicator of the existence of the necessary political will, solidarity and cohesion to instil a sense of urgency to the regional economic integration agenda.
It is anticipated that the elevation of SACU decision-making at the executive level will give substance to the development of deliberate initiatives to promote intra-SACU trade and the development of a SACU trade and tariff policy and trade strategy that supports industrialisation in SACU. Indeed, the revitalisation and reinvigoration of SACU may see the unlocking of its strong institutional and human capacity as a nucleus for the robust advancement of regional economic integration.
Undoubtedly, this important development, underpinned by its strong institutional arrangements, and supported by the ongoing efforts of President Jacob Zuma to build consensus on a common approach with his Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (BLS) counterparts on the challenges facing the organisation, has seen SACU engaging as a block in its negotiations with the EU in line with the 2002 SACU Agreement. These developments have raised the prospects of arriving at a mutually agreed upon EPA arrangement between the EU-SACU and EU-SADC countries.
(2)
Regional economic integration within SADC remains a core priority of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, in the context of promoting the African Development Agenda.
Given the complexity of the technical work on policy harmonisation, rules of origin, standards, tariff alignment and the like, complicated by the reality of uneven development among and between member states, regional economic integration is an ongoing process. However, South Africa has through ongoing high-level bilateral interventions, supported by like-minded developing and developed country partnerships, succeeded in placing this issue at the centre of the global economic development debate. South Africa has and will continue to inform and shape debate on the prioritising of continental and regional economic integration through its membership of the United Nations, African Union, SADC and SACU. In keeping with the responsibilities attached to its membership of continental and regional organisations, South Africa will endeavour to meet its obligations through the allocation of significant resources, towards fully supporting the implementation of decisions in these formations impacting on the regional and broader continental integration debate, in alignment with the objectives of the Abuja Treaty.
Equally, South Africa will continue to advance the objectives of regional economic integration, through its membership of important international organisations such as the G-8 Outreach Partnership, G-20, IBSA and others as well as through established partnership fora such as the EU-Africa, China-Africa (FOCAD), Japan- Africa (TICAD), India-Africa and others.
The establishment of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA at the inaugural Summit of the Heads of State and Government in Kampala, Uganda in 2008 provides an enabling platform for rapidly growing intra-African trade through enhanced market access to a potentially huge African market for SADC countries. The COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA between the three regional economic communities (RECs) posits an expanded trade bloc, comprising 26 countries with an estimated population of 568 million people, a combined GDP of US$875 billion and a per capita GDP average of US$1,540.
As such, the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA process is likely to become an increasingly important centrepiece of South Africa's regional economic integration agenda. Consequently, it has become an immediate priority for South Africa in support of broadening and deepening regional integration.
The SADC region will host the next Tripartite Council of Ministers and Summit in 2011 and national consultations will be held on 16 November 2010 in Pretoria as part of preparations for this important event. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Treasury and other stakeholders, is actively involved in the preparatory processes.
QUESTION 3090
3090. Mr L S Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
Whether, with reference to South Africa obtaining a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council (UNSC) for a second time, she intends revising the strategy used when South Africa was first represented at the UNSC; if not, why not; if so, (a) what does this revised strategy entail and (b) how does it differ from our 2008 strategy? NW3816E
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
1. South Africa's international engagements are anchored on the five priorities of Government, namely: job creation, education, health, crime prevention, rural development and land reform. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation seeks to ensure that these national priorities find expression in its work at regional, continental and international levels. In this connection, the country's UN Security Council membership will be used to mutually reinforce what the country does abroad and what the country wants to achieve domestically.
2. SA's foreign policy is committed, among others, to bringing peace, security and development to Africa. Noting that a substantial focus of UNSC activities and agenda are on the continent, South Africa will champion and advance the African Agenda and collaborate with other African member states (Gabon and Nigeria) currently serving on the UNSC in pursuing issues pertinent to Africa's stability, peace and security.
3. South Africa will endeavour to utilise its membership in a manner that would contribute invaluably to the work of the UNSC. We will forge partnerships with Council and non-Council members from across the spectrum on important matters with a bearing on the maintenance of peace, stability and security on the continent.
4. Decisions taken by the UNSC under Chapter VII are binding on all UN Member States. In light of this, it is imperative for SA to be part of UNSC decision making processes more especially on African matters. SA's experience as a non-permanent member in 2007-2008 showed the significance of this since the UNSC can sometimes take decisions that are not in Africa's favour even on continental matters. South Africa can therefore be an important countervailing force in the UNSC, not just for its own interests but also in defence of Africa's aspirations.
5. One of the major achievements of SA's membership of the UNSC was its initiative on the role of regional organisations in the maintenance of international peace and security, namely Chapter VIII of the UN Charter. This resulted, among others, in the institution of annual meetings between the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and the UNSC that alternate between Addis Ababa and New York. This was a substantive achievement as coordination on the overlapping agendas of the two Councils is of paramount importance.
6. South Africa will therefore continue its efforts aimed at bringing greater alignment to the work of the UNSC and that of the AU, especially the Peace and Security Council of the AU of which South Africa is currently a member. This would enhance South Africa's resolve of strengthening effective partnership between UN and regional organisations, in particular the African Union in the maintenance of peace and security.
8. Another priority will be to promote transparency and accountability of the UNSC to the wider UN membership. In this regard, South Africa will prioritise promoting transparency within the Council including through arguing, if and when necessary, for more open debates and increased participation of broader UN membership in the deliberations and decisions of the Council.
9. South Africa will again endeavour to utilise its 2011-2012 membership in a manner that would add value to the work of the UNSC. In this context, South Africa will play an active role in the activities of the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council such as its sanctions committees and working groups. Furthermore, South Africa will endeavour to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security by inter alia participating in the Council's conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction agenda.
10. South Africa's main objectives, therefore, will be: to keep African issues high on the agenda of the UNSC and proffer our perspective on them; to strengthen cooperation between the UNSC and regional organisations especially the African Union; to ensure healthy working relations between the General Assembly and the UNSC; and to ensure adherence to the UNSC mandate and prevent its abuse.
QUESTION NO: 2987PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 32 OF 22 OCTOBER 2010
Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:†
Whether the Government intends to agree to exchange agreements so that South Africans who are imprisoned outside the country will be able to serve out their sentences locally and foreigners who are being detained in South African prisons will be able to serve their sentences in their own countries; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
REPLY:
No.
Government will not enter into Prisoner Transfer Agreements. South African citizens arrested abroad will serve their prison sentences in the country of arrest.
Consular assistance is rendered in terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), 1963 to South African citizens abroad who seek such assistance.
The Department will, in the case of terminal illness make representation to the respective government to pardon a South African citizen unconditionally.
QUESTION NO: 2802PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 31 OF 18 OCTOBER 2010
Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
1. (a) Why is the Government hosting a certain person (name furnished) and
(b) How has it affected the diplomatic relations between South Africa and Rwanda;
2. Whether the Government has reached a decision regarding the possible extradition to Rwanda of the said person to face charges as demanded by the Rwandese President; if not, why not; if so, when will this take place?
REPLY:
1 (a) Lt. Gen. Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa was granted political asylum on 24 June 2010 in accordance with the Refugee Act as administered by the Department of Home Affairs.
(b) South Africa maintains Diplomatic Relations with Rwanda.
2 The due process of this matter is still being handled by the relevant Government Agencies.
QUESTION NO: 2801
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 31 OF 18 OCTOBER 2010
Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(a) Whether a certain person (name furnished) has taken up his position as South Africa's ambassador to the United Nations; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will he assume his position as ambassador; if so, (i) when and (ii) what are the further relevant details?
(a) Mr Jordaan has not taken up a posting as South Africa's Ambassador to the United Nations
(b) Mr B Sangqu is the current Ambassador to the United Nations with effect from 01 January 2009.
(i) None
(ii) None
QUESTION NO: 2736
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 30 OF 23 SEPTEMBER 2010
Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) (a) What (i) qualifications and (ii) experience does her department require for the highest Public Service positions in embassies, (b) what is the nature of the experience that is required and (c) how are decisions to appoint senior public servants to the various embassies made;
(2) whether her department conducted a skills audit of staff and management at all our embassies in the past five years; if not, why not; if so, how many staff do we have at our embassies;
(3) whether there are any vacant posts; if so, in each case, (a) what specified posts are vacant, (b) at which embassies are the vacancies, (c) how long has it been vacant and (d) how many management personnel in her department's embassies do not meet the qualifications requirements stipulated above? NW3408E
REPLY:
(1)
| Parliamentary Question | HOM | Counsellor Admin |
| (i) Qualification | A relevant Bachelors Degree and or equivalent qualification/relevant experience | A relevant Bachelors Degree and or equivalent qualification and /or relevant experience |
| (ii) Experience | The experience and knowledge of Understanding South Africa Politics Communication Managerial and liaison experience Understanding South Africa Foreign policy framework | The experience and knowledge of the work of International Relations with specific reference to Administration support issues. |
| (a) Nature of experience | The HOM should be operating at Director-level and above for a minimum period of 3 years. | The Counsellor should be operating at a Deputy Director level and above for a minimum period of 3 years and above. |
(b) In making recommendations on Head of Mission and Counsellor Administration appointment the following is taken into account:
· Experience and profile of the recommended official
· Priorities and needs at Head office and Mission
(2)
· The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has conducted Skills Audit in 2005. Staff members from both Head Office and Missions abroad participated in the process. In 2005, five hundred and eighty two (582) officials were at the missions.
Since then, the fundamental and critical skills are identified through the Performance Management and Development System where officials complete the Personal Development Plans (PDP). Competency gaps are also identified during the recruitment process. The identified skills gaps are integrated in a Workplace Skills Plan.
(3)
There are three (3) vacancies at Head of Mission and Counsellor Admin level.
| (a) Post Level | (b) Embassy | (c) Duration |
| Head of Mission | Bujumbura and Cairo | Became vacant in January 2010 |
| Counsellor Admin | Maputo | Became vacant in January 2010 |
| (d) None | ||
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 OF 30 AUGUST 2010
Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
Whether (a) her department or (b) any of its entities has signed any contractual agreements with a certain company (name furnished) or any of its affiliates (i) in the (aa) 2006-07, (bb) 2007-08, (cc) 2008-09 and (dd) 2009-10 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aaa) what is the nature of each contract, (bbb) what is the monetary value of each contract, (ccc) what is the (aaaa) start and (bbbb) end date of each contract, (ddd) what are the details of the process that was followed for the signing of each contract, (eee) who else tendered for each contract that was awarded and (fff) what amount did each tenderer quote in each case?
REPLY:
a. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation did not sign any contractual agreements with General Nyanda Security Advisory (GNS) for the periods indicated
b. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation did not sign any contractual agreements with General Nyanda Security Advisory (GNS)
QUESTION NO: 2289PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 23 OF 20 AUGUST 2010
Mr LM Ngonyama (COPE) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
"Whether her department has taken any additional measures, after receiving an unqualified audit opinion for the 2009-10 financial year, to achieve a clean audit for the 2010-11 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?"
REPLY:
The department has received a clean audit report during 2009/10.
QUESTION NO: 2263
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 23 OF 20 AUGUST 2010
Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
Whether her department and/or any of its entities have purchased any 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament (a) clothing or (b) other specified paraphernalia; if not, what has been the position in each case; if so, in each case, (i) what are (aa) the details and (bb) the total cost of the items purchased, (ii) (aa) how many items have been purchased and (bb) why, (iii) (aa) to whom has each of these items been allocated and (bb) why have these items been allocated to these persons, (iv) (aa) on what basis was the decision taken to purchase each of these items and (bb) on whose authority was the decision taken to make these purchases?
Reply
The Department of International Relations and Coordination and/or any of its entities did not purchase any of the following for the purposes of the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup Tournament:
(a) clothing
(b) other specified paraphernalia
The reason that no items were purchased was because a strategic decision was taken by Senior Management that the purchasing of clothing and paraphernalia (namely vuvuzela's, etc.) would not be done by the Department.
QUESTION NO: 2231
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 23 OF 20 AUGUST 2010
Mr K S Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether her department and any of its entities have (a) purchased or (b) leased any buildings for its administration (i) in the (aa) 2008-09 and (bb) 2009-10 and (ii) for the 2010-11 financial years; if not, why not; if so, in each case, (aa) what is the cost of the building, (bb) what is the size of the building, (cc) why was it bought or leased, (dd) for what will it be used, (ee) who will occupy it and (ff) approximately how many persons will occupy the total space of each building;
(2) whether her department and any of its entities intends on purchasing or leasing any buildings for its administration for the (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14 financial years; if not, why not; if so, in each case, (i) what is the cost of each building, (ii) what is the size of each building, (iii) why will it be bought or leased, (iv) for what will it be used, (v) who will occupy it and (vi) approximately how many persons will occupy the total space of each building?
REPLY:
The nature of the Department's activities necessitates that it purchases/lease Chanceries (Offices), Official Residences and staff accommodation for all staff serving in South African Missions abroad. The Government is currently represented in 106 countries abroad, it has 123 Appointed Ambassadors / High Commissioners / Consul Generals and its overseas staff component consists of 656 transferred staff members
In respect of paragraph 1 part (a), (b) and (c)
During the year 2008 to 2011, the Department constructed 3 Chanceries, 1 Official Residence and 8 staff houses. It furthermore purchased 1 Official Residence and 1 staff house, purchased land for future development of a Chancery and Official Residence and funded the construction of a State Protocol lounge at the new Durban International Airport. The total cost of these transactions amount to R604 million.
In the 2008/09 financial year the Department leased offices and residence for 618 officials abroad. The total cost amounted to R483 million.
In 2009/10 f financial year the Department leased offices and residence for 646 officials abroad. The total cost amounted to R404 million.
In 2010/11 f financial year the Department leased offices and residence for 656 officials abroad. The amount budgeted for this purpose is R655 million.
In respect of paragraph 2 part (a), (b) and (c)
The Department will, in 2011/12, 2012/13 and 2013/14 financial years, continue to purchase properties in line with its property acquisition strategy. Such purchases will be dependent on the availability of a capital budget as well as the availability of suitable properties
QUESTION NO: 2099
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19 OF 06 AUGUST 2010
Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
1. Whether any representatives in our ten largest embassies have incurred any fines in the past five years; if so, in each case , what was the (a) reason and (b) value of the fine;
2. Whether all the fines have been paid; if not, why not, in each case; if so, who was responsible for settling the fine in each case?
Reply:
1. Yes, 3 Missions have incurred traffic offence fines
Washington, D.C: (a) parking fines; (b) $5, 070.
New York: UN Service Vehicles; (a) (67) Parking Tickets; (b) $7,325.00
Geneva: (a) speeding ticket; (b) CHF120.
2. No, there are outstanding traffic fines for Washington and New York.
Washington, D.C.
Most have been paid by the Mission; the outstanding fines are the subject of an investigation by the State Department. Fines that are outstanding were not issued to registration plates rather than the individuals to whom the vehicles were registered to. In this regard inquiries were made with the State Department and a response is still awaited. The likelihood is that these officials may either be back at Head Office, at other Missions or have since left the Department.
New York:
The 67 parking tickets, referred to in part 1above, were paid by the Mission. All requests by the Mission to the New York City Transport Department for a diplomatic parking were denied. When deliveries are made, diplomatic parking space is not always available.
Geneva:
The Department of Health paid the fine of a speeding ticket for a rented vehicle during an official visit to attend the World Health Assembly. The Mission's financial records for the past 5 years reflect only this one payment.
QUESTION NO: 2061
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 19 OF 06 AUGUST 2010
Mr S Mokalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) (1) Whether any aid was (a) offered and/or (b) provided in the past five years to countries in which South Africa has an Embassy; if not; why not; if so, in each case, (i) what was the (aa) nature, (bb) reason for offering or providing of the aid and (cc) value of the aid and (ii) from which budget were these funds sourced.
REPLY:
(1) (a)
Yes aid was offered and provided to countries in which South Africa has Embassies. Aid was provided to the following countries:
Africa
The Republic of Zimbabwe
(1) (i) (aa)
In 2009, the Government of South Africa provided financial support to assist the economic recovery of Zimbabwe. The support included a contribution of R300 million to a SADC led Zimbabwe Humanitarian and Development Assistance Framework (ZHDAF). The ZHDAF was formed to manage SADC's humanitarian assistance to the people of Zimbabwe. In this regard, the SADC Troika decided, in accordance with Article 9(6) (a) of the Treaty, to launch an urgent international campaign to mobilise financial and material resources for the people of Zimbabwe in order to help them overcome the challenges facing their country. This contribution was therefore utilised to purchase agricultural inputs (seeds, fertiliser and diesel) from South African suppliers.
The second amount of R300 million was to finance the Short Term Emergency Recovery Plan of Zimbabwe (STERP). The Extraordinary SADC Summit in Swaziland on 30 March 2009 urged Member States to support Zimbabwe to implement the STERP, in the form of budget support, lines of credit, joint ventures and toll manufacturing. The Summit also called on the international community to support Zimbabwe and provide it with the necessary financial support for its economic recovery.
1 (i) (bb), (cc) and (ii)
The support from the South African government took the form of a targeted contribution to the 2009 Budget of the Zimbabwean Government. This contribution was governed by an MoU signed by the respective Ministers of Finance. As per the MoU, the funds were transferred to the Zimbabwe Ministry of Finance in three equal tranches of R100 million in May, June and August 2009.
(ii)The funds were sourced from the African Renaissance Fund.
The Union of Comoros
(i) (aa)
The South African Government, in fulfilment of its pledge during the 8 December 2005 Comoros Round Table Donors' Conference held in Mauritius, provided R10 million to assist with the socio-economic and infrastructural recovery of the Union of Comoros.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation provided financial assistance to facilitate the South African Government's support for the 2006 Union of Comoros Presidential elections.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation also, with the assistance of the South African Independent Electoral Commission, provided four used computers and printers to the Union of Comoros Independent Electoral Commission (C.E.N.I) to facilitate the administrative processes associated with the December 2009 Union and Islands Legislative Elections.
(1) (i) (bb)
The assistance was focussed on training in especially the electoral and security sectors, with the goal to ensure that there is effective capacity building and transfer through this assistance, thereby ensuring that the Comoran Government is sufficiently capacitated in order to enable it to organise future elections.
(1) (i) (cc)
The value of the aid was R 6, 2 million.
(1) (ii)
The budget came from the African Renaissance Fund.
The Republic of Madagascar
(1) (i) (aa)
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation in 2008 made available funding to Madagascar to support the Malagasy Government's efforts to alleviate the devastating impact of two consecutive cyclones on the Island's population.
(1) (i) (bb)
The financial assistance was earmarked as a contribution towards the Malagasy
Government's ongoing humanitarian assistance initiatives in the aftermath of the cyclones.
(1) (i) (cc)
The value of the Aid was R 1 million.
(1) (ii)
The budget came from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation's Humanitarian Aid Budget.
The Republic of Sudan
(1) (aa) and (bb)
Aid was offered to Abyei town, Sudan, in 2008 as a result of deadly fighting that broke up and displaced over 50 000 people to Agok ( 25 kms to the South of the region) and other neighbouring villages. This deadly fighting also led to the destruction of Abyei town and looting of properties of civilians.
(1) (i) (cc) and (ii)
The aid included food items, non perishable items (tents, buckets, and basins), blankets, medicines (oral rehydration salts, malaria drugs, cholera treatment, and diarrhoea control. The Gift of Givers provided 40 tons of non-perishable items. These include 150 tents, 5 000 blankets, 2 000 mosquito nets, 500 inflatable mattresses, 4 tons of non-perishable food and clothes. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation helped with the transportation of the said consignment; the transportation cost was R2.200.00.
In February 2005 following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), the Capacity Building Project for Southern Sudan under auspices of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), Government of Southern Sudan and the University of South Africa was launched. The project is scheduled to run until 2011. Phase I of the project conducted from February 2005 – March 2006. The Government of South Africa spent R7.1 million during the Phase I. The money came from the African Renaissance Fund (ARF). Phase II of the project conducted from April 2006 – March 2008. The Government of South Africa spent R27 million during Phase II.
(ii) The money came from the ARF. Phase III of the project is still to be implemented.
The Republic of Benin
(1) (i) (aa) and (bb)
Financial contribution made for humanitarian assistance to the Government of Benin after significant damage due to floods and collateral damage to hospitals and infrastructure.
(1) (i) (cc)
The value of the aid was R500 000.
(1) (i) (ii)
The aid was sourced from the Humanitarian Aid budget managed by the Directorate: Humanitarian Affairs.
The Republic of Burkina Faso:
(1) (aa) and (bb)
Financial contribution made for humanitarian assistance to the Government of Burkina Faso after significant damage due to floods and collateral damage to hospitals and infrastructure.
(1) (i) (cc)
The value of the aid was R250 000.
(1) (i) (ii)
The aid was sourced from the Humanitarian Aid budget managed by the Directorate: Humanitarian Affairs.
The Republic of Guinea
(1) (i) (aa)
South Africa gave a rice donation to the Government of Guinea.
(1) (i) (bb)
The funds were provided to help alleviate a precarious food security situation in Guinea.
(1) (i) (cc)
The donation amounted to 1 449 293 Euros.
(1) (i) (ii)
The funds were sourced from the African Renaissance Fund.
The Republic of Guinea (Conakry)
(1) (i) (aa)
Financing a three year Trilateral Project between South Africa, Guinea and Vietnam to improve rice and vegetable production in Guinea,
(1) (i) (bb)
The project is aimed at improving food security in Guinea
(1) (i) (cc)
The value of the aid was R45 000 000
(1) (ii) Funds were sourced from the African Renaissance Fund.
The Republic of Mali: Total amount: R20 million
(1) (i) (aa) South Africa government committed R20 million to the Timbuktu Manuscript project in Mali.
(i) (bb) Project aimed at conserving the manuscripts at the Ahmed Baba Institute and rebuilding the library and archival infrastructure of the institute.
(i) (cc) In total, against the project cost of R59, 4 million; R40 million was received as
donations against which R25, 2 million has been spent at the end of 2007/8.
(ii) The short fall of R19, 4 million plus interest has been funded through the ARF.
The Republic of Uganda: Total amount: R32 million
(1) (i) (aa) Refurbishing and reconstruction of the OR Tambo School of Leadership in Kawaweta-
(i) (bb) This project aimed at the refurbishment and construction of theO R Tambo School of Leadership in Kawaweta, Uganda. The South African Departments of International Relations and Cooperation, Public Works Defence and the Freedom Parks Trust all played a major role in this project. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Governments of South Africa and Uganda on 6th March 2007.
(i) (cc) In terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, South Africa undertook to contribute R22 million towards the Project
(ii) The funds were sourced from the African Renaissance Fund
CHOGM 2007
(1) (i) (aa)Funding to support with the hosting of the Common-Wealth Heads of Governments Meeting: Uganda(2007)
(i) (bb) This project entailed training of Ugandan security and protocol officials, as well as assistance with security logistics for the Summit.
(i) (cc) It was agreed that an amount of R10 million be allocated for the cost of assisting Uganda with the successful hosting of the 2007 CHOGM.
(ii) The funds were sourced from the African Renaissance Fund
The Republic of Burundi – 2006: Total amount: R28.5 million
(1) (i) Funding for the Burundi Peace Process (Office of the Peace Facilitator)
(i) (aa) Funding payment of accommodation and allowances of the rebel movement Palipehutu FNL leadership to join the Peace Process, food, administrative costs to maintain the Facilitators Office and allowances for government delegates within the Joint Verification and Monitoring Mechanism in Burundi.
(i) (aa) Funding from the ARF to the value of R28.5 million was approved to support the establishment of the Office of the Peace Facilitator in July 2007 for the 2006/7 financial year. With this funding, South Africa entered into trilateral cooperation with the Governments of Belgium, France and the Netherlands for financial support.
(ii) The funds were sourced from the African Renaissance Fund
The Democratic Republic of the Congo: Total amount: R101 million
(1) (i) (aa) Public service census
(i) (bb) The overall objective of the DRC census project is to provide an employment profile of the public service including staffing numbers, gender, employment duration, age groups, and place of employment, occupational categories and grades. Additional benefits will be a credible payroll, identification of staff for retirement and information that could be used for future public service reform and human resource planning
(i) (aa) Decentralisation Programme
(i) (bb) The Administrative Decentralisation project's main objective is to provide support to the DRC with the process of drafting a legislative framework on administrative decentralization (organic law). The legislative framework will provide the basis for the development of models for the organization of provincial public administration, rationalization and restructuring of the public service as well as the establishment of the process of transfer of public servants from central public services to the provincial public administration.
(i) (aa) Establishment of a Public Service Training Institute
(i) (bb) The National School of Public Administration project is aimed at supporting the DRC with the process of establishing a national school of public administration, namely the École National d'Administration (ENA) as well as training public service
(i) (aa) DRC Water Project
(I) (bb) The objective of the project is the provision of support to the REGIDESO, the water supply corporation in the Katanga Province of the DRC through the supply of South African pumps and electrical equipment. The purpose of the intervention in the Katanga Province is to put the National Water Supply Agency in Katanga in a position to improve its level of service by making available additional pumping capacity that is urgently needed.
(ii) The funds were sourced from the African Renaissance Fund
The Kingdom of Lesotho: Total amount: R100 million
(1) (i) Funding of the Sani Top to Mokhotlong Road
(i) (aa) The Department of Environment is jointly involved with the Kingdom of Lesotho to develop the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park (MDTP).
(i) (bb) As part of a SADC Ministers strategy to "position TFCAs as southern Africa's premier international tourism destination", there is a need to develop adequate access infrastructure into the MDTP. Upgrading of the road to the tourism development node, Sani Top, as well as the border post is hence needed. The Department of Transport (DoT) and DEAT are upgrading the South African side. However, on the Lesotho side, it was recognised that the road from Sani Top to Mokhotlong will have to be upgraded.
(1) (i) Funding for the Metolong Dam Project
(i) (aa) The aim of dam is to improve access to water to the lowlands of Lesotho. Hence idea is to dam the Caledon River Catchment area. South Africa is already on the Project Steering Committee of the entire Lesotho Highland Water Project and so would be able to supervise the project.
(i) (bb) Based on the idea that SA cannot take water from Lesotho, without giving them water too and to assist Lesotho out of its LDC status, it was advised that the request be supported.
(i) (cc) The value of the aid for the two projects was a total of R100 million.
(ii) The funds were sourced from the African Renaissance Fund
Middle-East
(1) (a) and (b) Yes.
(i) (aa) Palestine: Annual contribution to the United Nations Regional Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA);
(bb) Financial support to the UNRWA to support relief efforts for Palestinian Refugees
(cc)
· Financial year 2007/08 R1,2 million
· Financial year 2008/09 R1 million
Financial year 2008/09 R1 Million (Emergency relief fund following Israeli military action in Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009)
· Financial year 2009/10 R1 million
· Financial year 2010/11 R1 million
(ii) Department of Foreign Affairs (-2009) Department of International Relations and C0-operation (2010 -)
B
(i) (aa) Contribution to support the Palestinian Embassy in Pretoria
(bb) Financial support to the Palestinian Embassy in Pretoria as per the agreement establishing a Palestinian Mission in South Africa (1995)
(cc)
· Financial year 2006/07 R1.8 million
· Financial year 2007/08 R1 million
· Financial year 2008/09 R1 million
· Financial year 2009/10 R1.2 million
· Financial year 2010/11 R1.2 million
(ii) Department of Foreign Affairs (-2009)/Department of International Relations and Co-operation (2010 -)
C
(i) (aa) Support to Palestine in terms of commitments made at the Paris Donors conference in 2007
(bb) South Africa participated in the International Donors Conference for the Palestinian State, which was held in Paris on 17 December 2007. At the Donors Conference, South Africa expressed its support for the plan for Palestinian institution building called "Building a Palestinian State", presented by Palestinian National Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. It was also announced that the South African Government would donate an amount of 1 million United States dollars per annum for capacity building and humanitarian assistance in Palestine over the following three years, to support the plan presented by Prime Minister Fayyad.
(cc)
· R1.35 million (Training of Palestinian Diplomats)
(ii) Department of International Relations and Co-operation (2009-2010)
QUESTION NO: 2027PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER No: 18 OF 30 JULY 2010
DR P W A MULDER (FF PLUS) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
1. Whether the Government is paying any salary or income to the former President of Haiti; if so (a) what is the (i) monthly and (ii) annual amount that is paid to him (b) from what part of her Department's budget these funds are paid and (c) what is the total amount that has been paid to him in income or salary since his arrival
REPLY:
1. The South African Government, in agreement with the African Union (AU) and the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), continuous to provide accommodation and services to former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide equivalent to those provided to a South African Cabinet Minister until conditions in Haiti permit the return of the former President and his family.
QUESTION NO: 2026
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 18 OF 30 JULY 2010
(1) Dr C P Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether the Government is going to spend R1 billion on the construction of a monument and a cultural centre at Matola, outside Maputo, as mentioned by the SA High Commissioner in Mozambique (details furnished); if so, (a) what budget will the funds come from, (b) over what period will this amount be utilised, (c) what purpose will the museum serve, (d) what potential financial advantage will South Africa be deriving from the construction of the (i) museum and (ii) cultural centre and (e) for which other projects will the funds be utilised
(2) Whether tenders for the construction and maintenance of the project have been awarded; if so, which (a) tenders and (b) respective amounts are under discussion;
(3) Whether the Government conducted any preliminary investigation to determine the feasibility and advisability of the (a) activities and (b) upliftment projects as indicated by the said person; if not, why not, in each case; if so, in each case, (i) when was the investigation undertaken, (ii) by whom was the investigation conducted and (iii) what did the investigation cost;
(4) Whether the Government (a) has or (b) is planning projects similar to the one at Matola outside Maputo in neighbouring countries; if so, (i) in which countries in each case and (ii) what are the costs of the projects in each of these countries?
REPLY:
(3) The Department of Arts and Culture is the lead Department in the construction of a Monument in Matola and consequently questions related to the monument should be addressed to this Department. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation only plays a facilitating role in this project.
QUESTION NO: 1977PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 18 OF 30 JULY 2010
Mrs H N Ndude (Cope) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether the Government is taking any steps to ensure that the death of the 19-year old cadet Akhona Geveza in Croatian waters is investigated; If not, why not; if so, what steps?
REPLY:
(1) Yes.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation acted within its mandate in terms of Article 37 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 1963 and rendered consular assistance to the family of Ms Geveza. The Croatian Authorities investigated the incident as a standard procedure.
(2) Copies of documents received so far from the Croatian Authorities have been forwarded to South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA). The South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) is the competent authority to advise on progress in respect of progress with regards to an investigation.
QUESTION NO: 1955.PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 17 OF 26 JULY 2010
Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(1) Whether any disciplinary action has been taken against a certain person (name furnished); if not, why not; if so,
(2) whether he has been suspended pending the outcome of an investigation; if not, why not; if so,
(3) whether any investigation into his alleged misconduct has been launched; if not, why not; if so, what (a) were the findings, (b) were the recommendations and (c) action has been taken by her department?
REPLY:
(1) Yes. Disciplinary action against Mr Singapi has been initiated.
(2) Mr Singapi was suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
(3) An investigation was conducted into the alleged misconduct, (a) There was an altercation between Ms De Jong and Mr. Signapi and that Ms De Jong was injured in the process, (b) It was recommended that Mr Singapi should be charged with misconduct, (c) Mr. Singapi has been charged with misconduct.
QUESTION NO: 1954PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 17 OF 26 JULY 2010
Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
(a) What was the cost of running each of her department's foreign missions (i) in the (aa) 2005-06, (bb) 2006-07, (cc) 2007-08, (dd) 2008-09 and (ee) 2009-10 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) how many bilateral commissions were signed by each mission in each of these financial years up to the latest specified date for which information is available and (c) what was the value of each bilateral commission?
REPLY:
(a) The total cost of running foreign missions between 2005 and July 2010 is
R9, 968 058, 615.
(b) 26 Bilateral Commissions were signed between 2005 and July 2010.
(c) Bilateral Commissions are not signed by the respective missions but by Members of Cabinet, Bilateral Commissions provide a platform for the governments and technical departments of respective states involved to liaise in order to establish, strengthen and deepen cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. It is, therefore, impossible to apply monetary value to Bilateral Commissions, as the issues cover a variety of subjects and a range of sectoral agreements, which cannot be quantified in financial terms. These issues span the political, economic, social and technical fields of interstate relations.
QUESTION NO: 1953PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 17 OF 26 JULY 2010
Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:
Whether the Government or any foreign representatives in Zimbabwe played any role with regard to a certain report (details furnished); if so, (a) who represented South Africa in the process and (b) what was the nature of their involvement?
REPLY:
Neither the Government nor, to the knowledge of the Department, any foreign representatives in Zimbabwe, were responsible for the draft report in question.
The author of the draft report is Mr. Abbey Chikane, the South African former founding Chairman of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Mr. Chikane was appointed as the KP Monitor for Zimbabwe in terms of an Administrative Decision on Zimbabwe, which included a Joint Work Plan (JWP) to bring Zimbabwe back to full compliance with the minimum requirements of the KPCS, which was adopted by the November 2009 plenary meeting of the KPCS, held in Swakopmund, Namibia.
The Working Group on Monitoring of the KPCS, of which South Africa is a member, appointed Mr. Chikane to his position and agreed with Zimbabwe on his Terms of Reference. In his capacity as KP Monitor, Mr. Chikane is mandated by and reports to the Working Group on Monitoring in overseeing the implementation of the JWP.
The draft report in question was written by Mr. Chikane, in his capacity as the KP Monitor, following his second visit to Zimbabwe, which took place from 24 to 28 May 2010. The findings and conclusions in the report are therefore those of the KP Monitor. Unfortunately, it would appear that certain reports in the media have confused the fact that Mr. Chikane represents the KPCS and does not represent South Africa in his role as the KP Monitor for Zimbabwe.
QUESTION NO: 1919PUBLISHED INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 17 OF 26 JULY 2010
MR K S MUBU (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:
Whether any heads of state/governments attended the (a) opening and (b) closing ceremonies of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Soccer tournament; if so, (i) how many, (ii) what are the names of the persons, (iii) from which countries and (iv) what amount was spent by the Government on (aa) each head of state/government and (bb) their respective staff compliment in respect of (aaa) accommodation, (bbb) transport, (ccc) security, (ddd) entertainment and (eee) other specified expenses?
REPLY:
Yes, it was South Africa's commitment to ensure that the 2010 Fifa World Cup is regarded as an African World Cup and the benefits that come with hosting this prestigious event are shared with the rest of Africa and the AU gave its full support to South Africa hosting the event, hence President J G Zuma invited the African Heads of State and Government to attend the opening and the closing ceremonies of the event. A total of 42 dignitaries, 26 Heads of States/Government and 16 spouses, attended the opening and closing ceremonies of the FIFA 2010 World Cup Soccer tournament, the names of the dignitaries and countries are reflected in attached RNW1919A-101217 and RNW1919B-101217. The total amount spent for hosting the invited Heads of State/Government is R16 589 511. 00, with the cost of hospitality suite at the stadium included.