International Relations & Coperative

2011-11-28

THIS FILE CAN CONTAIN UP TO 25 REPLIES.

SEARCH ON THE TOPIC/KEYWORD YOU ARE LOOKING FOR BY SELECTING CTRL + F ON YOUR KEYBOARD

QUESTION NO: 1992 (NW2237E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER 21-2011 OF 5 AUGUST 2011

Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

1. Whether the Government intends to (a) recall or (b) institute disciplinary action against Mr Jon Qwelane, South African High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda after he was found guilty of hate speech against homosexuals by the Equality Court in June 2011; if not, why not; in each case; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

REPLY:

1. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has not initiated any process to recall or institute any disciplinary action against Mr Jon Qwelane, South African High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda, relating to the guilty finding for hate speech against homosexuals. The matter in question arises from an article which Mr Jon Qwelane wrote in his capacity as a columnist and long before his appointment as the High Commissioner of South Africa to the Republic of Uganda. As a representative of the South African government in a foreign country, Mr Qwelane upholds the values and principles of the South African Constitution. South African envoys are made aware of the provisions of the Constitution, especially the Bill of Rights, when addressing sensitive issues like the one quoted above.

On 1 September 2011, High Commissioner Qwelane won his bid for a rescission of the finding against him and, as matters stand at present, he is not guilty of any charges preferred against him by the SA Human Rights Commission.

QUESTION NO: 1943 (NW2181E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20-2011 OF 5 AUGUST 2011

Mr J SELFE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

(a) How many (i) international flights and (ii) domestic flights were undertaken by (aa) her and (bb) her deputy ministers using (aaa) military aircraft, (bbb) chartered aircraft or (ccc) commercial aircraft during the period 1 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available, (b) what class did she and her deputy ministers travel in each case and (c) what amount did her department spend with regard to each specified flight?

REPLY:

(a) (i) International flights

(aa) Minister

(aaa) Military Aircraft: None.

(bbb) Chartered Aircraft: The Minister undertook fourteen (14) Charter flights at a total cost of R10 393 299 during the period 01 April 2010 to 30 June 2011.

(ccc) Commercial Aircraft: The Minister undertook twenty six (26) International Commercial Flights on Business Class, Fourteen (14) trips with a First Class component and three(3) trips with a component of Economy Class, at a total cost of R2 394 433.00, during the period 01 April 2010 to 30 June 2011.

(bb) 1. Deputy Minister: Ebrahim

(aaa) Military Aircraft: None.

(bbb) Chartered Aircraft: None

(ccc) Commercial Aircraft: The Deputy Minister undertook twenty three (23) International Commercial flights of which eight (8) were First Class, fourteen (14) were Business Class and one (1) was Economy Class at a total cost of R984 795.00, during the period 01 April2010 to 30 June 2011.

2. Deputy Minister: Fransman (include former Deputy

Minister van der Merwe until 31 October 2010)

(aaa) Military Aircraft: None

(bbb) Chartered Aircraft: None

(ccc) Commercial Aircraft: The Deputy Minister undertook two(2) International Commercial flights on Business Class at a total cost of R110 492 , during the period 01 April 2010 to 30 June 2011.

(ii) Domestic flights

(aa) Minister

(aaa) Military Aircraft: None

(bbb) Chartered Aircraft: None.

(ccc) Commercial aircraft: The Minister undertook twenty (20) Domestic Commercial flights on Business Class at a total cost of R138 135.00, during the period 01 April 2010 to 30 June 2011

(bb) 1. Deputy Minister: Ebrahim

(aaa) Military Aircraft: None

(bbb) Chartered Aircraft: None

(ccc) Commercial Aircraft: The Deputy Minister undertook twenty seven (27) Domestic Commercial flights of which twenty (25) were on Business Class and two (2) on Economy Class at a total cost of R 197 341.00, during the period 01 April 2010 to 30 June 2011

2. Deputy Minister: Fransman (include former Deputy

Minister van der Merwe until 31 October 2010)

(aaa) Military Aircraft: None

(bbb) Chartered Aircraft: None

(ccc) Commercial Aircraft: The Deputy Minister undertook thirty (30) Domestic Commercial flights of which twenty nine (29) were on Business Class and one (1) was on Economy Class at a total cost of R219 312.80, during the period 01 April 2010 to 30 June 2011

QUESTION NO: 1909 (NW2147E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20-2011 of 29 JULY 2011

QUOTE

Mr JRB Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether she has employed a ministerial special advisor; if so, (a) what are the duties of the advisor, (b) at which post level was the appointment made, (c) what is the salary level of the advisor, (d) what is the duration of the employment contract entered into with the advisor and (e) why was it necessary to appoint the advisor?

REPLY

Minister M Nkoana Mashabane did employ a Special Advisor

(a) The Public Service Act (section 12A(1) provides that Special Advisors may be appointed –

· to advise the Executing Authority on the exercise or performance of the Executing Authority's powers and duties;

· to advise the Executing Authority on the development of policy that will promote the department's objectives; or

· to perform such other tasks as may be appropriate in the exercise or performance of the Executing Authority's powers and duties.

(b) Compensation level IV (DG level).

(d) The duration of employment is linked to the term of Office of the Minister.

(e) The provision to appoint Special Advisors in terms of section 12 A of the Public Service Act, 1994 as amended, is limited to two full-time equivalent positions for each Minister and Premier, unless Cabinet or the relevant Provincial Executive Council approves a higher number up to two additional full-time equivalents for each Minister and Premier because of work requirements.

The Special Advisor was appointed due to his strong academic background, vast experience in working with the State, Civil Society and International Organisations.

QUESTION NO: 1889 (NW 2127E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20-2011 OF 29 JULY 2011

QUOTE

MR S MOKGALAPA (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

Whether the SADC Ministerial Troika has removed Zimbabwe from the Agenda; if not, what is the position; if so (a) why and (b) when will the situation be reviewed?

REPLY:

Yes.

(a)The removal of this item from the SADC Ministerial Committee of the Organ Troika Agenda was determined and informed purely by SADC statutory documents. Zimbabwe has been elevated to the Summit primarily because President Zuma is the Facilitator and responsible for the mediation with regard to the implementation of the Global Political Agreement. It would be appreciated that in terms of established protocols, where mediation efforts are led by a Head of State, he or she then reports to his/her counterparts equals, that is, to SADC Heads of State and Government Summit.

It is against this background that the MCO referred the matter to Summit. The facilitator being the President cannot report to a Ministerial forum that still has to report to Summit in the context of what is outlined above.

(b) As indicated above the matter remains the domain of Summit.

QUESTION NO: 1835 (NW2069E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 20-2011 OF 29 JULY 2011

Mr LW Greyling from the Independent Democrats (ID) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) Whether she has taken any steps to carry out the resolution that was adopted by the Pan African Parliament (PAP) 2007 recommending that the PAP takes the initiative to achieve the establishment of a consultative United Nations Parliamentary Assembly within the UN; if not, why not; if so, what steps have been taken?

(2) Whether she intends taking any steps in this regard at the forthcoming meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to raise the issue of a United Nations Parliamentary Assembly; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) No, as the Pan-African Parliament resolution under question speaks to supporting the campaign for the establishment of the United Nations Parliamentary Assembly, which in essence is a network of parliamentarians and non-governmental organizations advocating citizen's representation at the UN.

South Africa is represented by its Members of Parliament in the Pan-African Parliament who continue to support the campaign through their participation in the PAP Committee on Cooperation, International Relations and Conflict Resolution.

(2) No, the Minister will not be taking up this matter. This matter falls within the purview of the PAP and various legislators, including members of the South African legislature, who have advocated for the implementation of the said resolution within their respective Parliaments.

It is therefore expected that the PAP, the network of parliamentarians and non-governmental organisations will support efforts by the United Nations Parliamentary Assembly Campaign Secretariat to have the matter raised at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.

QUESTION NO: 1813 (NW2046E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 19-2011

QUOTE

MR I O DAVIDSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

(1) Whether with reference to the reply to question 3180 on 13 December 2010, the Chinese nationals receiving diplomatic immunity in Case 5 (6) and Case 8 (9) are still present in South Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(2) Whether her department has made any representation to the Chinese mission in South Africa about the continued presence of these nationals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) Case 6 – Parkroad CAS 21/4/2006 Accused: Chinese Diplomat Sentence:

Diplomatic Immunity – case withdrawn

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is not able to provide a response as the name of the Chinese diplomat is unknown and can therefore not verify whether a Chinese diplomat was indeed involved.

Case 9 – Ladybrand CAS 193/11/2009 Accused: Zhou Dequan Sentence: Diplomatic Immunity – case withdrawn

The name ZHOU DEQUAN does not appear on any records held at the Department

of International Relations and Cooperation and did not enjoy diplomatic immunity.

(2) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation was not approached to

confirm immunity and issue a certificate in terms of Section 9 (3) of the Diplomatic Immunities and Privileges Act, No 37 of 2001.

QUESTION NO: 1800 (NW2032E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19-2011

QUOTE

The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) When was Dr Pallo Jordan appointed to the position of ambassador to the United Nations;

(2) Whether Dr Jordan has taken up the position; if not, why not; if so, what (a) are his current responsibilities in this position and (b) is the gross per annum value of his (i) salary and (ii) benefits as ambassador at the United Nations?

REPLY

(1) Dr Pallo Jordan was not appointed as Ambassador to the United Nations.

(2) Dr Pallo Jordan has not taken up the position as Ambassador to the United Nations as he was not appointed in the position.

QUESTION NO: 1749 (NW1975E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19-2011 OF 1 JULY 2011

QUOTE

Mr LS Ngonyama (COPE) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

1. Whether South Africa's vote in favour of a no-fly zone over Libya had to be explained to its partners, Russia, India and China (BRICS); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

1. As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, South Africa engages on an on-going basis with all members of the Council, including its BRICS partners, on the issues before it, in support of the Council's mandate to maintain international peace and security.

2. South Africa's support of the Council's decision to impose a no-fly-zone over Libya was informed by the call of the countries of the region to strengthen the implementation of resolution 1970 (2011) in the face of the continued violence against civilians carried out by the Libyan authorities. South Africa was also clear that it would continue to work through the Council, the African Union and other multilateral and bilateral platforms for the resolution of the Libyan crisis in a manner consistent with the aspirations of the people of Libya. South Africa's views were clearly articulated to all Council members in the intense consultation process preceding the adoption of resolution 1973 (2011), which imposed the no-fly-zone.

QUESTION NO: 1748 (NW1974E) PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19-2011 Quote

Mr LS Ngonyama (COPE) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether a free trade zone from Cape Town to Cairo is planned; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of such a trade zone that has been identified by her department?

REPLY:

Yes, a free trade zone from Cape Town to Cairo is planned. (a) The first step towards the realisation of this objective came about with the decision taken by the Heads of State and Government of Member States of COMESA, EAC and SADC to establish a Tripartite Free Trade Area at the inaugural Tripartite Summit held in Kampala, Uganda in October 2008. This was followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Inter-Regional Cooperation and Integration between COMESA, SADC and the EAC, signed by the Chairpersons of the three Regional Economic Communities in January 2011.

Further significant progress was recorded with the official launch of the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations on the occasion of the Second Summit, hosted by South Africa on 12 June 2011 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg.

In this regard, the Heads of State and Government endorsed the Declaration launching the FTA negotiations; the Tripartite FTA Negotiating Principles, Processes and Institutional Framework; the Pillars of Tripartite integration, as well as the Tripartite FTA Roadmap for the negotiations and the time-frames for the completion of the various negotiation phases that will underpin the work to be undertaken at the level of both Member States and Regional Economic Communities in the short to longer-term.

The endorsement of these important documents has provided an enabling platform to guide the negotiations in the years to come in advancing progress towards the ultimate goal of a Grand Economic Community of Africa.

The economic advantages implicit in the COMESA-EAC-SADC Tripartite Free Trade are clear. Presenting an expanded trade bloc, comprising 26 countries with a combined population of close to 600 million people, and a combined GDP of US$ 1 trillion by 2013, it holds the potential of unlocking Africa's huge economic potential from the perspective of driving higher levels of intra-Africa and Inter-regional trade from its current low base of 10 percent.

South African manufacturing and export industries stand to benefit significantly from an expanded African market on the basis of the comparative advantage held as Africa's largest and most sophisticated economy, underpinned by product diversification, good infrastructure, industrial capacity and a strong financial services sector.

From a sub-regional and broader continental economic integration perspective, there are significant economic and developmental gains to be derived from a strong and sustainable Tripartite FTA. In this regard, a larger, integrated and growing regional market will serve to attract foreign investment, as well as bring tangible benefits for traders and business people by removing obstacles to the movement of goods and people across borders.

It will provide a framework for addressing the logistics of moving goods across borders, including the efficiency of transport infrastructure, documentation, and the overall administration associated with cross-border trade.

Equally, it is foreseen that an integrated regional developmental approach, underpinned by the three pillars of market integration, infrastructure development and industrialisation will facilitate the development of regional manufacturing and production bases. This in turn, will contribute to product diversification and a departure from an over reliance on trade in primary to value added products through beneficiation. The building of manufacturing production capacity would furthermore facilitate access to value chains in the context of both South-South and North-South trade.

Importantly, the Tripartite FTA is viewed as offering an outcome to the vexing issue of multiple and overlapping membership of Regional Economic Communities that has bedeviled the regional economic integration process in SADC in particular.

(b) What are the disadvantages of such a trade zone that have been identified by her department? None.

QUESTION NO: 1747 (NW1973E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19-2011

QUOTE

Mr LS Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat funds the work of SADC delegates; if not, why not; if so, (a) what guidelines are in place to monitor this funding and (b) what does the specific budget cover?

UNQUOTE

REPLY:

Does the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat fund the work of SADC delegates?

No. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat does not fund the work undertaken by the Secretariat in delivering on SADC's work programme as approved by the Council of Ministers and Summit. Sources of funding is derived from the annual Member States contributions as well as funding support received from International Co-operating Partners (ICPs) including amongst others, the African Development Bank, European Union and the African Union. Annual Member States contribution distribution formulae are calculated on the basis of GDP of the respective Member States.

A SADC Council of Ministers decision taken in 2004 stipulates that the SADC Secretariat should not pay for technical and statutory or steering committee meetings unless they are able to source such funds from ICPs. Delegates from Member States attending SADC meetings are funded by their respective countries. The SADC Secretariat only pays for the Board of Auditors and Audit Committee meetings.

The SADC budget, inclusive of sources of funding from ICPs is managed by the Finance subcommittee (with South Africa as the current Chair) and presented for approval by the Council of Ministers on an annual basis.

a) What guidelines are in place to monitor this funding?

The SADC Secretariat implements the SADC Financial Regulations and Procedures and the SADC Administration Rules and Procedures in managing the budget and finances. The processes in place to monitor the budget and funding requirements are discussed during Finance Subcommittee meetings which meet usually in March, July and November annually. The SADC Secretariat is audited once a year by a group of External auditors (from Member States) appointed by the Council of Ministers.

The following are is a process which helps to implement and improve the budget and financial management operations of the SADC Secretariat.

Revised Internal Audit Charter

The current Internal Audit Charter is operational however there has been ongoing work to review and revise the policy document. The revised Internal Audit Charter is soon to be implemented and provides for compliance with Professional Standards, Authority, Organisation, Independence, Audit Scope, Audit Planning, Responsibility, Ethics and Professionalism, Continuous professional development and training, Appeals and Periodic assessment. In this regard and the SADC External Auditors, SADC Supreme Audit Institutions and Institutional Assessment Audits observed that the Internal Audit needs to be accorded a necessary platform to allow for issues of risk management and internal control to receive adequate management attention through elevating the position of the Head of Internal Audit to that of a Director.

b) What does the specific budget cover?

Every year the SADC Council approves the work programme, i.e. planned list of programmes and operational activities. In terms of this and SADC priorities, the budget is prioritised and distributed into various key areas in accordance with the two main objectives of SADC intervention namely regional economic integration and peace and security in the region. Regional Economic Integration is elaborated in a medium term plan: the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) while Peace and Security programmes are defined in the Strategic Indicative Plan of the SADC Organ for Politics, Defence and Security (SIPO). Various directorates at the Secretariat are responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of both the RISDP and SIPO.

QUESTION NO: 1706 (NW1920E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO

QUOTE

Mr JRB Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(2) (a) What was the actual budget increase each year, expressed as a percentage, for funds allocated to this sub-programme and (b) how is the increase for each specified financial year justified?

REPLY:

(1) ACTUAL EXPENDITURE: SUB PROGRAMME: MINISTRY
DESCRIPTION	2007/08 ACTUAL EXPENDITURE	2008/09 ACTUAL EXPENDITURE	2009/10 ACTUAL EXPENDITURE	2010/11 ACTUAL EXPENDITURE
COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES
SALARIES AND WAGES	10,775,434	12,033,410	14,495,003	15,893,525
SOCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS	1,409,055	1,474,149	1,790,870	2,016,293
COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES	12,184,489	13,507,559	16,285,873	17,909,818
GOODS AND SERVICES
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE	186,259	223,204	76,083	15,507
ASSETSACTUAL BUDGET INCREASES
FINANCIAL YEAR	INCREASE / (DECREASE) (%)
2008/09	19
2009/10	-8
2010/11	9

The increase is attributable to the fluctuations in the foreign exchange rates which relate to the foreign travel which includes air transport, accommodation as well as travel and subsistence cost.

UNQUOTE

QUESTION NO: 1657 (NW1864E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 2011

Quote

DR CP Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

How many (a) African, (b) Coloured (c) Indian and (d) White employees are there in each of the public institutions that report to her in terms of Schedules 1 to 3D of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999?

REPLY:

There is no public institution that reports to the Minister in terms of Schedules 1 to 3D of the PFMA, Act 1 of 1999.

QUESTION NO: 1617 (NW1820E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 18-2011 OF 17 JUNE 2011

MR IO DAVIDSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

Whether her department has made any plans to accommodate the expected influx of thousands of delegates to the 17^th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) in December 2011; if not, why not; if so, what (a) plans and (b) are the further relevant details?

REPLY:

The City of Durban was successful in its bid to host the 17^th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and through its appointed travel agent, Thompsons Africa, has identified 20 000 beds within a 50 km / 1 hour drive radius from the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre and the Durban Exhibition Centre. These are available at hotels, bed and breakfast establishments as well as hostels.

QUESTION NO: 1467 (NW1634)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO

Quote

Mr JRB Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1). (a) On how many occasions since 1 March 2010 did her office hire a vehicle to transport (i) her and (ii) the Deputy Ministers and

(2) (b) in each case, (i) what was the cost of hiring the vehicle, (ii) for what reason was the vehicle hired, (iii) for how many days, (iv) what (aa) make and (bb) model of vehicle was hired and (v) what total distance was travelled?

REPLY:

(1) (a) (i)Minister

17 occasions

(ii) Deputy Minister Ebrahim

19 occasions

(iii) Deputy Minister Fransman

9 occasions

(2) (b) Cost of hiring

(i) (a)Minister: R59 794.67

(b) Deputy Minister Ebrahim: R101 946.36

(ii) For what reason was the vehicle hired

(a) Minister

Cape Town: The Minister does not have an official vehicle in Cape Town. The Minister visited Cape Town on 12 occasions to attend Cabinet Meetings; Parliament; SA/Sweden Bi-National Commission; Briefing to Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation on consideration of the DIRCO Strategic Plan 2010-2013; Study Group meeting to brief the Portfolio Committee in respect of the DIRCO budget vote; DIRCO Budget vote; Briefed the President on the 2010 FIFA World Cup; 2010 FIFA World Cup debrief Ministerial meeting; formed part of President Zuma's meeting with Prime Minister Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe; Inter-Ministerial Meeting on Climate Change; Meeting with President Zuma where Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Molewa briefed the President on Climate Change issues; Opening of Parliament; Banquet hosted by Minister for diplomatic corps and other international role players; Meeting with visiting Zambian delegation; Meeting with visiting Ivorian delegation, DIRCO's budget vote; UNFCCC Meeting.

Kwa-Zulu Natal: The Minister visited KZN on 3 occasions to attend the ACCORD 2010 Africa Peace Award, Durban; formed part of President Zuma's delegation during the visit of President Museveni from Uganda whilst visiting "The battle of Isandlwana" in Newcastle; Ministerial Meeting on Climate change.

Free State: The Minister visited Bloemfontein on 1 occasion to deliver a lecture at the University of the Free State and participate in a live interview with "Morning Live" from SABC.

Eastern Cape: The Minister visited Port Elizabeth on 1 occasion as she was requested by President Zuma to join him for a meeting.

(b) Deputy Minister Ebrahim

The official vehicle was involved in an accident and a vehicle was hired for the Deputy Minister. The Deputy Minister also had to attend to Parliament in Cape Town, Gala Dinner hosted by Progressive Business Forum and NGC, Opening address at the 10^th International Gopia Convention, attend the New Age Friendship Celebration & Cricket- Moses Mabida Stadium and attending funeral of Ms Fatima Meer in Durban, attending the solidarity Group for Peace and Justice in Sri Lanka.

The Deputy Minister was recently appointed and he did not have official vehicle to use in Cape Town to attend Cabinet and Parliament sessions. The Deputy Minister attended official meeting in Johannesburg since he did not have an official car in Gauteng. The official car has since been delivered for use by the Deputy Minister.

(iii) For how many days

(a) Minister

- 48 days on different dates

(b) Deputy Minister Ebrahim

- 91 days on different dates.

- 43 days on different dates

(iv) what (aa) make and (bb) model of vehicle was hired and

(a) Minister

Mercedes Benz E-class; Range Rover for visit to Newcastle due to rugged terrain

(b) Deputy Minister Ebrahim

- Mercedes Benz C200

(v) what total distance was travelled?

(a) Minister

3820 extra kilometres. Kilometres indicated exclude free kilometres given by the car hire company.

(b) Deputy Minister Ebrahim

- 5173 extra kilometres. Kilometres indicated exclude free kilometres given by the car hire company.

- 5 900 extra kilometres. Kilometres indicated exclude free kilometres given by

the car hire company.

QUESTION NO: 1422 ( NW1585E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 14-2011 OF 3 JUNE 2011

Mr JJ McGluwa (ID) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) Whether her department has taken any action to locate and return the remains of a certain person (name furnished) from Libya; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

(2) Whether the said person's passport has been acquired from the Libyan officials; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation is committed to retrieving the mortal remains of Mr Anton Hammerl. As is now known, Mr. Hammerl was shot by loyalist forces and reportedly left to die just east of the town of Brega on 5 April 2011. This location was and effectively remains the eastern front in the civil war in Libya. Until hostilities cease no Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) activities are possible. In the meantime the DNA profiles of Mr. Hammerl's parents were processed and made available to the Libyan Government in Tripoli.

(2) Mr Hammer's mortal remains and his South African passport have yet to be found.

QUESTION NO: 1345 (NW1491E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO X OF APRIL 2011

Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) Whether she has been informed of the four South Africans that have been arrested in Zimbabwe; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,

(2) whether her department is communicating with the specified persons; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether her department is currently offering them any assistance; if not, why not; if so, what is the nature of the assistance;

(4) whether her department will intervene to resolve the matter with the Zimbabwean authorities; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) by when does she expect the matter to have been resolved? NW1491E

REPLY:

(1) Yes

(2) Yes

(3) The Department of International Relations and Cooperation renders consular assistance to South African citizens arrested abroad in terms of its mandate arising from the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), 1963 in particular Article 36.

(4) No, Government does not intervene in the judicial processes of sovereign states. The four South Africans are scheduled to appear before court on 20 June 2011. They have legal representation in Zimbabwe.

QUESTION NO: 1247 (NW1391E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO X OF APRIL 2011

Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether any South African citizens are currently serving sentences of imprisonment in foreign countries; if so, (a) how many, and (b) in which country?

REPLY:

(1) a) The Department is aware of 965South African citizens who are incarcerated abroad as on 31 March 2011. The number reflected are known cases where citizens exercised their right to request consular assistance in terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963.

(b) Appended as Annex A is a breakdown of detentions per country

QUESTION NO: 1013 (NW1128E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 7-2011 of 25 MARCH 2011

Dr CP MULDER (FF PLUS) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

(1) What has been the total cost in Rand to the Government paid and to be paid from the national budget of accommodating Mr Jean Bertrand Aristide, his family and entourage as presidential guest since their arrival in 2004 until their departure for Haiti on 17 March 2011;

(2) Whether the Government (a) is accommodating or (b) will accommodate any deposed foreign leader as presidential guest; if not, why not; if so, what will be the relevant details;

(3) Whether the Government has a set policy in place in respect of accommodating deposed leaders as presidential guests; if not, why not; if so, what does the policy entail;

(4) Whether she or her department intends drafting such a policy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

(1) The costs related to former President Jean Bertrand Aristide's stay in South Africa were similar to costs amounted to a South African Cabinet Minister.

(2) Each case will be evaluated on its merits and the President will make the final determination.

(3) The Government does not have such a policy in place.

(4) Currently the Department does not consider it necessary to draft such a policy as each request will be considered by Cabinet on its own merits.

Question no: 850 (NW926E)

Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) In respect of the past five financial years, how many diplomatic officials (a) have been (i) recalled and (ii) suspended or (b) had their employment contracts terminated due to misconduct;

(2) (a) who are these officials, (b) what was the nature of their position, (c) where were they based and (d) what were the reasons for above action taken against them?

Reply:

(1) In respect of the past five financial years (a) (i) twenty four diplomatic officials have been recalled (ii) two suspended and (b) seven had their employment contracts terminated due to misconduct.

(2) Names and details of officials unfortunately cannot be furnished because of legal implications as the information is confidential. As some of the cases are at different levels of the legal process, DIRCO could be held liable for defamation should names be published.

Our Human Resources Branch, however, is willing to meet with Hon Mubu to discuss cases, should it be required. Disclosure of names may have legal implications for DIRCO.

QUESTION NO: 846 (NW919E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 5-2011 OF 11 MARCH 2011

MR S MOKGALAPA (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

1. With reference to her reply to question 67 on 28 February 2011, which Foreign Missions were routinely reviewed by her department (a) in the (i) 2008/09 and (ii) 2009/10 financial years and (b) during the period of 01 April 2010 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

2. For each review conducted, what where the main findings for each mission during the specified period with regard to its (a) successes and (b) challenges;

3. (a) which missions have been found to be the (i) best performing and (ii) worst performing foreign missions and (b) what were found to be the reasons for their performance;

4. Whether any missions were considered (a) dysfunctional or (b) not fulfilling its mandate; if so, which missions in each case;

5. Whether her department intends closing down missions identified as dysfunctional or not fulfilling its mandate, if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

REPLY:

1) 2008-2009: 28 Missions

2009-2010: 24 Missions

2010-2011: 12 Missions

MISSIONS: 2008/09

Accra	Bangkok
Bujumbura	Beijing
Conakry	Canberra
Dakar	Colombo
Dar Es Salaam	Damascus
Gaborone	Hong Kong
Kampala	Riyadh
Lagos	Seoul
Malabo	Shanghai
Maputo	Suva
Maseru	Copenhagen
Ouagadougou	Prague
Windhoek	Stockholm
Warsaw	Montevideo

MISSIONS: 2009/10

Algiers	Abu-Dhabi
Asmara	Dubai
Yaoundé	Muscat
Juba	Tel Aviv
Kampala	Wellington
Khartoum	Helsinki
Kinshasa	London
Libreville	Vienna
Sao Tome	Buenos Aires
Lusaka	Kingston
Moroni	Port of Spain
Nouakchott
Port Louis

MISSIONS: 2010/11

Munich	Brazzaville
Paris
Sofia
Ankara
Berlin
Berne
Budapest
Geneva
Jakarta
Niamey
Tripoli

2) Missions are audited according to the PFMA Act, National Treasury and Departmental regulations and policies. Missions are audited by the Internal Auditors, the Auditor General and the External Audit Committee. This entails that there are hundreds of items being audited. Taking into account the findings of the various reports, the Auditor General's final conclusions are presented to the Accounting Officer at the end of the Financial Year. It may be recalled that the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) received an Unqualified Audit Report/ opinion for the Financial Year 2010-2011.

3) The Department does not have a grading system to determine the best performing and worst performing Missions. The Department expects all the Missions to be fully functional. To ensure this, the Department has a holistic system whereby the various Business Units monitor the Missions through their Business Plans, Quarterly Compliance Reports, Monthly Expenditure Reports, Midterm Reviews and Annual Reports. In addition to these actions, there are also the various Auditing initiatives. Previous Audit findings pointed out the following challenges pertaining also to Missions.

a) Non- review and approval of business plans and quarterly performance information reports: no adequate feedback to Missions

b) Business plans not in accordance with SMART principles

c) Performance information achieved without adequate evidence

d) Supply chain management

4) Please refer to the answer of question 3. All Missions are fully functional.

5) The Department has no intention of closing any of its Missions.

Question no: 818 (NW890E)

Mr JRB Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether (a) her department or (b) any of its affiliated entities have purchased any tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011; if not, why not; if so, (i) what process has been followed to purchase these tickets, (ii) how many tickets have been purchased, (iii) for which matches, (iv) what has been the total cost of these tickets, (v) what are the reasons for purchasing these tickets, (vi) to whom will each of these tickets be allocated and (vii) on what was the decision for the allocation of these tickets based?

Reply

There was no amount spent and budgeted for in respect to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation and its entities did not purchase any tickets for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

Question no: 795 (NW866E)

Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether the Government will (a) establish full diplomatic relations with the new state of Sudan and (b) maintain diplomatic relations with Khartoum; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case?

Reply

(a) Yes, upon expiry of the CPA on 9 July 2011 and the establishment of the new state in Southern Sudan, South Africa will establish full diplomatic relations with the state and upgrade its Consulate to a fully fledged Embassy.

(b) South Africa will maintain diplomatic relations with Sudan. Sudan is important for the stability and development of the Horn of Africa region. In this regard South Africa will maintain its Embassy in Khartoum. Over the years South Africa enjoyed favourable bilateral relations with the Sudan. South Africa will honour the various agreements signed with the Republic of the Sudan and will strengthen these relations where necessary.

Question no: 766 (NW831E)

Mr JJ Mc Gluwa (ID) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether (a) her department has offered employment to a certain person (name furnished) and (b) he is currently employed by her department; if so, (i) when did her department offer him the position, (ii) what position (aa) has he been offered and (bb) appointed to and (iii) what is the gross salary for the position he has been (aa) offered and (bb) appointed to?

Reply

(a) No offer of employment was made to the certain person (name furnished) and he has not been appointed to the department.

QUESTION NO:730 NW799E

MR LS NGONYAMA (COPE) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

Whether any communication channel has been opened with the current military government in Egypt; if not, why not; if so, what

(a) Position will the government take towards Egypt during the next six months before their elections, and

(b) Contribution will be made towards a democratic and peaceful Egyptian state? NW799E

REPLY:

South Africa has had diplomatic relations with the state of Egypt since 1994. These relations are managed through the South African Embassy in Egypt which serves as a communications channel with the State of Egypt.

(a) The South African government will continue to support all efforts in Egypt to work towards the implementation of constitutional reforms and the organisation of democratic elections within the given six month timeframe;

(b) The South African government remains ready to assist the people of Egypt in accordance with its capacity and expertise based on the needs and requirements identified by the Egyptian authorities.

Question no: 729 (NW798E)

Mr LS Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether she has found that the presence of piracy in the Mozambican Channel will affect South Africa's relations with the rest of the world in terms of trade and cooperation: if not, why not; if so, what steps have been taken to (a) counter the presence of piracy in the Mozambican channel and (b) disrupt piracy from moving even further south?

Reply

South Africa recognises that piracy activities on the global stage may threaten to distort world trade as higher premiums for shipping are making trade more expensive and frequent attacks had driven up insurance costs. The South African Government together with the SADC countries has noted with great concern the growing levels of piracy activities in and around the Gulf of Eden, particularly the southward spread of these activities to the Mozambican Channel. South Africa's main priority is to ensure smooth trade and safe movements of cargo within the SADC Maritime Zone. In response to the southward spread and threat of piracy in the Mozambican Channel, the South African Government has in collaboration with the Mozambican authorities decided to deploy SS Mendi for routine patrol along the Mozambican Channel. South African and Mozambique have good bilateral relations and share common borders both in land and the sea. The two Governments are in the process of signing a Memorandum of Understanding on the Conduct of the Combined Maritime Patrols within the Territory of the Republic of Mozambique with a view to curbing piracy and other illegal activities within the territorial waters of Mozambique before these activities spill over down to the territorial waters of South Africa. In addition to these measures, the South African Government is considering other measures including assisting Somalia to deal with her political challenges which have a direct effect on the piracy phenomenon.

QUESTION NO: 683 (NW733E)

Mr SJ Masango (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

1. With reference to her recent trips to (a) Sudan and Guinea and (b) Mauritania and Abidjan, (i) what was the purpose of each trip, (ii) what are the further relevant details of each trip and (iii) how did each trip contribute to achieving the objectives?

REPLY:

(a) Trip to Guinea:

(i) To support President Zuma during his attendance of the inauguration of President Alpha Condé, as the first democratically elected President of the Republic of Guinea.

(ii) The attendance of President Zuma and Minister Nkoana-Mashabane substantially strengthened bilateral relations between South Africa and Guinea. Informal talks on how to take political and socio-economic relations between South Africa and Guinea to the next level, took place during the visit. It gave recognition to political changes in country and expressed the anticipation that consultations on all levels would increase.

(iii) The inauguration of the first democratically elected President in the Republic of Guinea gave credence to South Africa's general support for democratic processes in Guinea, as well as countries in West Africa. Attendance of the inauguration of President Alpha Condé greatly contributed to the objective to advance strategic bilateral relations between South Africa and countries in West Africa.

(a) Trip to Sudan

(i) The purpose of the visit was to meet with stakeholders in Khartoum and Juba to assess the needs and areas of development for the Sudan. The visit was in line with the responsibilities of the African Union which seeks to prevent the escalation of conflict and to build and consolidate peace in the Sudan, the Horn of Africa and in the entire continent.

(ii) The African Union Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AUPCRD) Ministerial Committee for the Sudan was established in July 2003. As Chairperson of the AUPCRD, South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Co-operation, along with other members of the AUPCRD Ministerial Committee, undertook a visit to the Sudan from 23-26 October 2010.

(iii) One of the outcomes of the visit was the decision to send a technical team of experts from member countries of the AUPCRD to assess the priority needs of the Sudan and make recommendations. The technical team of experts is expected to conduct an assessment of the key post-conflict development and peace-building needs in the context of the new dispensation in the Sudan, in the framework of the relevant elements of the AUPCRD policy.

The team is also expected to assess and recommend how to respond to the capacity needs, including the capacitating of the civil service, the police and justice systems. In particular, make specific recommendations on how to enhance the security sector reform.It is anticipated that the Technical Team will be deployed during the first half of 2011.

(b) Trip to Mauritania and Abidjan

(i) The purpose of the trip to Mauritania and Abidjan was to support President Zuma during the African Union (AU) High‐Level Panel meetings held in Nouakchott and Abidjan respectively aimed at a resolution of the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire.

(ii) During the trip to Mauritania, the AU High – Level Panel met with the Team of Experts who submitted the finding to the members of the High – Level Panel. The Panel thereafter, travelled to Cote d'Ivoire and met with both Ivorian leaders, Mr. Gbagbo and Mr. Ouattara in order to make proposals aimed at resolving the crisis.

(iv) Both trips formed the basis in the process of resolving the current political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire as mentioned in (ii) above. Subsequent to the meeting in Nouakchott and Abidjan respectively, the AU High – Level Panel met again on 04 March in Nouakchott to conclude its work.

QUESTION NO: 638 (NW682E)

Mr PC Duncan of the Democratic Alliance (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

1) Whether South Africa is represented on the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR); if not, why not; if so, (a) who is our representative and (b) how did our representative vote with regard to the application made by the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) for recognition?

2) What are the reasons for rejecting the application of the Coalition of African Lesbians?

3) Whether the South African position on the matter supports the specified reasons?

REPLY:

1(a) Yes, South Africa is represented in the ACHPR a) by Advocate Pansy Tlakula who serves as a Commissioner in the ACHPR in the following portfolios: Special Rapporteur on the Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa as well as Chairperson of the Working Group on Specific Issues relative to the Work of the Commission;

(b) Since the ACPHR held its session, specifically on this matter, behind closed doors, it is not possible to know how Commissioners voted.

2 The ACHPR did not, according to CAL and a large number of Human Rights Institutions that were represented at the Session give any reason for their refusal to grant CAL observer status. ACHPR did not respond (during the 48^th Public Session) to the assailments by CAL and other Human Rights Organisations. However, their concerns were noted by the ACHPR.

3 As indicated above, there were no reasons given. However, the South African delegate from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) referred to the Constitution of South Africa on the issue of unfair discrimination including discrimination on sexual orientation, particularly the equality clause on Section 9.

QUESTION NO: 606 (NW649)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO

QUOTE

Mr DJ Stubbe (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) (a) Which travel agents/travel service providers are currently used by her department and (b) (i) how and (ii) when were they appointed;

(2) What is (a) the budgeted amount and (b) actual expenditure paid to each of the service providers for departmental travelling costs during the financial year (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and 2009-10?

REPLY:

(1) (a) Travel with Flair and BCD Connex Travel,

(b)

(i) The Travel agents were appointed through open competitive bidding process and normal Departmental procurement procedures were followed;

(ii) Both service providers were first appointed on 01 April 2008 and the contract ended on 30 November 2010. Travel with Flair was further appointed through the normal open competitive bidding process on 01 December 2010 and are contracted to the Department up to 30 November 2012.

(2) (a) Budgeted amount

(i) 2007-08 There was no contract entered into with any travel agent during this period .

(ii) 2008-09 There was no separate budget allocation for travel agents.

R119 021 890.00 was budgeted for the total costs of travelling for Head Office.

(iii) 2009-10 There was no separate budget allocation for travel agents.

R114 879 492.00 was budgeted for the total costs of travelling for Head Office.

(b) Actual Expenditure paid to service providers for departmental travelling costs:-

(i) 2007-08 Travel arrangements were done on a quotation basis per

each trip, there was no particular travel agent that the

Department was contracted to.

(ii) 2008-09 Departmental Expenditure (Travelling) R115 993 525.91

BCD Connex Travel (Service fees) R1 158 806.85

Travel With Flair (Service fees) R1 694 368.00

Total Expenditure (Service fees) R2 853 174.85

Total amount R118 846 700.76

(iii) 2009-10 Departmental Expenditure (Travelling) R110 970 332.29

BCD Connex Travel (Service fees) R 909 343.99

Travel With Flair (Service fees) R2 942 916.00

Total Expenditure (Service fees) R3 852 259.99

Total amount R114 822 592.28

Question no: 550 (NW597E)

Mr NJJvR Koornhof (COPE) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

(1) Whether foreign policy and decisions at the United Nations will be influenced by our new membership of the BRIC group of countries; if so,

(2) Whether South Africa will in future vote or support new issues in a bloc with other member states of BRICSA; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply

I have addressed South Africa's new membership of BRICS in various policy and media fora, and I would like to quote from such an address I made at SAIIA on 1 October 2010 which really highlights the underlying principles informing our foreign policy approaches;

Quote

The world we live in today has changed significantly since the end of the Cold War. A new group of economically influential countries such as brazil, Russia, India and China are on the ascendancy, and are re-mapping the contours of political and economic power in the global system.

We are at the brink of a world envisaged in the Freedom Charter. We are far more aware today of the importance of global interdependence than any time in history. And it is evident that forging fruitful partnerships and a stronger global governance template requires cooperation between the developed and developing countries.

In his work, The Evolution of Cooperation, Robert Axelrod reminds us that, "friendship is hardly necessary for cooperation... Under suitable circumstances, cooperation can develop even between antagonists". In this complex and fluid global system we live in today, nurturing conditions for cooperation is crucial if we are to construct a different global order where power is more diffused and responsibilities are appropriately shared.

History is replete with lessons of the dangers that failure to cooperate can generate, and with implications for future generations. We will obviously not want to repeat these mistakes. More will need to be done to turn the dream of a safe and better world into a reality, where developing countries have a greater say in decision-making.

In the past, the images of power and the pillars of international relations were largely constructed according to a narrow and one-sided template. Despite their shared ideological outlook, our partners of the North were by and large inward-looking, viewed at each other as competitors, and failed to grasp new opportunities to provide enlightened leadership that would create new foundations of global governance. They still viewed the world and economic relations very much in adversarial terms and as a zero-sum game.

Also, new challenges related to climate change, energy security, and those to do with coordination of trade and finance have become more salient today than ever. The reality of interdependence is a reality in the global system. We have shared concerns and aspirations. Overcoming these challenges and achieving a safer and better world requires concerted efforts by both the developed and the developing world.

The simple lesson to draw from recent history as we come to terms with the geopolitical shifts expressed in the rise of emerging powers is that astute management of global interdependence and deepening of cooperation is essential for a strong and stable global governance mechanism. Emerging powers are an important force in shaping the coordinates of a better global system, characterised by greater representation, fairness and equity.

Failure to cooperate can generate outcomes that have far-reaching implications for the future than those experienced by the advanced industrial countries in the early to mid 1990s. It is abundantly clear that no country can sustain global governance on its own. Not even a small group of like-minded can effectively address the complex cross-border challenges that confront us today.

Similarly, the apocalyptic image of the world that was painted by Samuel Huntington in his book , The Clash of Civilisations, where he suggested that fragmentation along civilisation lines could animate the forces of disintegration and conflict post-Cold War era, has not happened. The force of cooperation trumps the tendencies of disintegration in the global society.

Difference does not have to lead to disintegration and conflict. Cooperation is possible among friends and antagonists alike. As we become acutely conscious of our shared challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us, the more prone we will be to strengthen the bonds of interdependence and cooperation.

Unquote

2. I would to emphasise that South Africa takes foreign policy decisions at the UN based on its own domestic agenda which informs its foreign policy priorities. South Africa approaches its role in the UN and notably this year as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council on an issue basis and normally aligns with like-minded countries, depending on the issue at hand. South Africa naturally cooperates closely with the BRICS Member States in the UN context and the BRICS Permanent Representatives have met to discuss issues of convergence, but also of divergence.

South Africa will obviously liaise closely with both its BRICS and IBSA partners on issues pertaining. President Zuma has been invited to attend the Third BRICS Summit which the Chinese President will host in April 2011 and this will be the first opportunity for South Africa to interact with BRICS leaders at the highest level to discuss issues pertaining to the global governance agenda and specifically the UN. It is practice that the leaders will issue a Joint Statement that reflects the priority issues that were discussed and agreed upon during the Summit meetings.

I would like to inform that South Africa issues regular statements at the UN together with India and Brazil in the context of the IBSA Dialogue Forum, of which recent statements are attached below as Annexure. We also issued statements together with the African non-permanent Members of the UNSC, which is cited below.

I wish to emphasise that the issue at hand would inform whether we vote as a bloc whether it be through an intentional decision, or as sovereign like-minded countries or even as countries with divergent views.

Annexure

IBSA MINISTERIAL MEETING AT GENERAL DEBATE OF UNGA 65

New York, 25 September 2010

Press Release

The Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, HE Mr S Krishna, the Minister of External Relations of the Federal Republic of Brazil, HE Ambassador Celso Amorim, and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, HE Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane met in New York on 25 September 2010.

The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to multilateralism and to increased participation of developing countries in the decision-making bodies of multilateral organisations and institutions. They reiterated the urgent need for the UN to be reformed so as to become more representative and reflective of the needs and priorities of developing countries, specifically the UN Security Council.

In this regard the Ministers recalled the urgent need to expand the Security Council in both its permanent and non-permanent categories, in order to increase participation of developing countries. This will make the UNSC more broadly representative, efficient and transparent, would enhance its effectiveness and legitimacy, as well as the implementation of its decisions.

Ministers acknowledge the progress in the inter-governmental negotiations on Security Council reform so far. The Ministers noted the development of "text-based" negotiations and called on all UN Member States to ensure that concrete results are achieved at the 65^th session of the General Assembly. In this regard, the IBSA countries reiterated their commitment to coordinate with each other and the broader UN membership with the aim to achieve genuine reform of the UN Security Council at the earliest opportunity.

The Ministers also noted the historic occasion in 2011 in which all three IBSA countries will serve on the UN Security Council. They stressed the importance for IBSA to work together on the Security Council with the aim of making the Council more responsive and transparent.

IBSA MINISTERIAL MEETING, NEW YORK, 11 FBVRUARY 2011, JOINT STATEMENT

The Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, HE Mr SM Krishna, the Minister of External Relations of the Federative Republic of Brazil, HE Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, and the representative of the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, HE Ambassador Baso Sangqu, met in New York on 11 February 2011 to exchange views on the prospects for cooperation on issues currently on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council.

India and South Africa expressed their deep satisfaction with the debate promoted by Brazil, as President of the Security Council for the month of February, on the interdependence between development and security and its more importance for sustainable peace.

They, also, expressed great satisfaction with the concurrent presence of all three IBSA countries in the Security Council during the year 2011. They reiterated the commitment of their countries to consult each other and coordinate positions on all topics relevant to the international agenda. They expressed their willingness, as developing countries, to work closely together in order to bring their perspectives into the work of the Council.

They reaffirmed the key role of development strategies for the achievement of sustainable peace and security in countries in post-conflict situations, as well as in countries at risk of lapsing or relapsing into conflict. In this context, they recalled the importance of South South Cooperation, in particular projects carried out through the IBSA Fund, in Haiti, Palestine, Guinea-Bissau, Burundi and Sierra Leone, among other countries.

They welcomed the announcement of the results of the referendum in the Sudan on 7 February 2011. Aware of the immense challenges that will be facing the peoples of the Sudan, IBSA wishes to announce their decision to support, through the IBSA Fund, the reconstruction and development of the Sudan, both North and South. IBSA will consult with the relevant national authorities in identifying sustainable priority projects in this regard.

They reiterated their view that peacekeeping operations have a contribution to make in early peace-building activities and in providing an environment conducive to the implementation of development strategies, as a means to bring immediate peace dividends to afflicted areas and to contribute to a cooperative atmosphere for UN missions. They also noted that when considering the deployment of a mission or in evaluating and renewing the mandate of current missions, the Security Council should work in close cooperation with the Peace-building Commission (PBC), with a view to developing a stronger synergy between the two organs.

The three IBSA representatives emphasised the need for urgent reform of the Security Council, including an expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories of its membership, with increased participation of developing countries in both. Such reform is of the utmost importance for the Security Council to reflect geopolitical realities and to enhance its representativeness, effectiveness and legitimacy that are needed to face contemporary challenges. They committed themselves to maintain close coordination amongst the three countries and the broader UN membership to achieve substantial progress in the intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform presently underway in New York.

At the end of the meeting, India, Brazil and South Africa expressed their commitment to increase IBSA consultations and coordination, both in New York and its capitals, on issues on the agenda of the Security Council. They also agreed to resume discussions and coordination on Security Council issues during the VII Ministerial IBSA Joint Commission scheduled to take place in New Delhi, 7-8 March 2011.

PRESS STATEMENT OF GABON, NIGERIA, SOUTH AFRICA AND UGANDA ON THEIR JOINT PARTICIPATION IN THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL AS NON-PERMANENT MEMBERS

New York The Permanent Representative of Nigeria, HE Amb U Joy Oguwu, the Permanent Representative of South Africa, HE Amb Baso Sangqy, HE Amb Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet of Gabon, HE Amb Ruhakana Rugunda of Uganda as well as the Permanent Observer of the African Union to the UN, HE Amb Tete Antonio, met today, Wednesday 10 November 2010 and took note of Africa's representation in the UN Security Council following the election of Uganda in October 2008, Nigeria and Gabon in October 2009 and that of South Africa in October 2010, as non-permanent members.

They reaffirmed the need to cooperate closely on the Security Council as well as share experiences and approaches on issues on the agenda on the UNSC.

As African countries who form part of the Global South, Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda will, as the highest priority promote and champion the principles and objectives of the African Union Agenda on the UN Security Council; including striving to work to make the Security Council more transparent in its working methods.

The Permanent Representatives further reiterated the statement issued by the African Union during the 65^th Session of the General Assembly in which the AU reaffirmed its commitment to multilateralism and to increase participation of developing countries in the decision making bodies of multilateral organisations and institutions.

Stressing the need for intensified collaboration, the Permanent Representatives underpinned the need for the Security Council to be more responsive and transparent in the execution of its mandate.

Agreement on the need to promote and enhance the UN Security Council cooperation with the AU Peace and Security Council was also identified as a priority.

The Permanent Representatives noted that the meeting convened by the Republic of Nigeria, proved an excellent conducive environment for all the Delegations to exchange views on issues of mutual concern pertaining to the UN Security Council.

10 November 2010, issued by the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of the Republic of Gabon, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and the AU Permanent Observer Mission in New York.

QUESTION NO: 544 (NW591E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3-2011 OF 25 FEBRUARY 2011

MR L.S. NGONYAMA (COPE) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

(1) Whether she has identified any shortcomings that have hampered South Africa's performance during its previous tenure in 2007-08 as a non-permanent member within the United Nations Security Council (UNSC); if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (a) what shortcomings have been identified and (b) what are the further relevant details;

(2) Whether she has taken any steps to deal with these shortcomings; if not, why not; if so, what steps;

(3) Whether she has any plans in place with regard to raising concerns and opinions within the UNSC in 2011 – 2012 to ensure that previous mistakes are not repeated; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

South Africa's first stint in the United Nations Security Council in 2007 and 2008 greatly enriched South Africa's understanding of the Council. It also enabled the country to better play its role as a non permanent member of the Security Council. Council membership provided South Africa with an opportunity to promote the African Agenda and South Africa's national interests, as well as to advance the maintenance of international peace and security. South Africa's track record and experience in peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention and mediation especially in Africa means that the country has intimate knowledge of conditions on the ground where Council resolutions are applicable. In this connection, South Africa was instrumental in creating synergies between the work of the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council, with the aim of preventing conflict on the continent. We continue to strive to promote a culture of collective responsibility and collective responses in dealing with the current peace and security challenges. South Africa also continues to work with other like-minded member states towards improving the working methods of the Security Council to make it a more accountable, transparent and representative body.

QUESTION NO: 543 (NW590E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3-2011 OF 25 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr LS Ngonyama (Cope) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation"

Whether she has identified any positive contribution that South Africa's membership to Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa (BRICSA) would have on the rest of Africa; if not, why not; if so, (a) what positive aspects have been identified and (b) what benefits will South Africa receive for being a member of BRICSA?

REPLY:

The Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) Forum is a grouping of emerging powers, in the realm of political, security and economic issues. The emerging economies, led by the BRICS, are important new sources of global economic growth, trade and investment. We have much in common with the BRICS member states, committed as we are to inclusive development and we have numerous shared interests for a more equitable world order. There is a "unity of purpose" amongst the grouping to bring to bear significant influence on global political, economic and security issues. Membership of BRICS is one of the platforms, at the international level, through which South Africa is able to realise its foreign policy priorities of enhancing the African agenda and sustainable development, global governance reform as well as strengthening political and economic relations in line with our domestic priorities contained within the IPAP II and New Growth Path.

The majority of issues on the agenda at the UNSC concern Africa. Russia and China, two BRICS member states, are in the UNSC in the permanent category and the strategic importance of this should be recognised. Further, India, Brazil and South Africa are, in 2011, serving on the UNSC in the non-permanent category, with India and South Africa ending their respective terms in 2012 and Brazil in 2011. We have already seen, for instance, the utility and influence of the BRICS Forum, which is still in its infancy, in sharing information and coordinating positions at the UNSC on African issues, the crisis in Libya being a case in point.

We recognize that BRICS states are competitors on the African continent; as such we believe that as BRICS we can do better working collaboratively on areas where there is consensus rather than in destructive competition. South Africa's foreign policy is inextricably linked to that of the African Agenda and the positions we take reflect the decisions taken at the AU and in our sub-region, SADC. South Africa's membership of BRICS consequently gives greater expression and influence to the positions of the AU. For example, as Chair of the AU's NEPAD High Level Panel on Infrastructure, President Zuma was able to obtain BRICS express support for infrastructure development in Africa and its industrialisation within the framework of the NEPAD priority programmes.

QUESTION NO: 498 (NW554E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 25 FEBRUARY 2011

QUOTE

MR JRB LORIMER (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

Whether (a) her department or (b) any (i) agency or (ii) institution which receives from her departmental budget employs staff to perform the duties set out in the Minimum Information and Security Standards (MISS) that were adopted by Cabinet on 4 December 1996 or any subsequent version of the MISS; if not, why not, in each case; if so in each case (aa) how many and (bb) what (aaa) is the job title, (bbb) is the employment level, (ccc) are the academic qualifications, (ddd) is the salary and (eee) are the benefits of each specified staff members?

REPLY

The Directorate Security within the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is entrusted with the responsibility of implementing the Minimum Information Security Standard (MISS). The table attached contains the answers to the above questions.

(a) Yes, the Department does receive a budget to employ staff to perform the duties set out in the Minimum Information and Security Standard.

(b) (i) Not applicable, because no agency receives a budget to employ staff to perform the duties set out in the Minimum Information and Security Standard.

(ii) Not applicable, because no institution receives a budget to employ staff to perform the duties set out in the Minimum Information and Security Standard.

(aa) 138 staff members

QUESTION NO: 337 (NW362E)

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 3-2011

QUOTE

Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

What were the reasons for South Africa voting in the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly for the removal of a reference to sexual orientation from a resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions?

REPLY

South Africa, guided by its Constitution which guarantees the Right to life, holds a strong view that no killing of human beings can be justified under any circumstances what so ever.

During the negotiations in the 3^rd Committee on the matter at hand, South Africa supported a proposal that advocated for the principle of non-discrimination. South Africa therefore did not vote to remove any reference to sexual orientation, but voted in favour of the principle of non-discrimination which was broad enough to include all forms of discrimination, including sexual orientation. There was a general feeling among the majority of Members of the Committee, especially Africa that it was not necessary to list the forms of discrimination, to avoid the risk of either creating a hierarchy or not mentioning others.

QUESTION NO: 336 (NW361E)

MR KS MUBU OF THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE TO ASK THE MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION:

(1) Whether she raised the issue of the criminalisation of homosexuality throughout Africa with any of her African counterparts; if not, why not; if so, (a) when, (b) with which counterparts, (c) on what platform and (d) what was the outcome of the discussions in each case;

(2) whether the Government is concerned that an increasing homophobic tendency is gaining momentum across Africa; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether the Government intends submitting a resolution to the African Union calling for equal rights before the law irrespective of sexual orientation; if not, why not; if so, when?

REPLY:

1. The government continues to highlight the issue of promotion and protection of human rights as one of the core tenets of our foreign policy. However within this terrain the government is fully cognisant of the reach and the influence of its national laws and policies and cannot begin to presume that its laws can apply in other sovereign countries.

2. The government has observed with deep regret the sudden rise in incidents of homophobic tendency and the violence that has arisen because of sexual orientation. The Government has further been concerned with other Human Rights abuses taking place across the continent and has been utilising proper avenues to address its concerns.

3. No, the government is not intending to submit a resolution to the African Union calling for equal rights before the law irrespective of sexual orientation. It would be recalled that the government has always given prominence to the issues of Human and People's rights and has contributed and acceded to the African Union instruments that advocate such e.g. the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. South Africa continues to participate in the drafting of the African Union Human Rights Strategy which amongst others makes recommendations with respect to exchanging the inter-relations amongst all African Union Organs to better promote and protect human rights on the continent.

Question no: 284 (NW306E)

Mr JRB Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation;

How many documents have (a) her (i) Ministry and (ii) department and (b) any (i) institution, (ii) agency or (iii) embassy which receives transfers from her departmental budget classified as (aa) top secret, (bb) secret, (cc) confidential and (dd) restricted under the provisions of the Minimum Information Security Standards that were adopted by the Cabinet on 4 December 1996 in the (aaa) 2005/06, (bbb) 2006/07, (ccc) 2007/08, (ddd) 2008/09 and (eee) 2009/10 financial years;

What is the (a) the name and (b) (i) rank or (ii) employment level of the official who decided on the classification at each specified public body?

Reply

An indeterminate number of documents have been classified in keeping with MISS. Due to the lack of clear guidelines pertaining to the preparation of lists of classified information per category, it is not possible to provide the details requested as it involves a lot of documents. Previous inspections led to the review of the existing policies and the tabling of the Protection of Information Bill 2010, to put in place a new and uniform system that would overcome the current weaknesses.

The MISS provides that the author of the document, defined as the head of an institution, or the person acting on his/her behalf, who prepares, generates, or initially classifies a document or has it classified, does the classification. They range from members of the Senior Management System (SMS) to professionals of various sorts (analysts, field or desk officers, secretaries, Personal Assistants, Financial Experts etc) guided by their supervisors. The latter confirms the initial classification assigned by the former. Whilst this is a general trend, there is also no uniformity in this regard and the new system classification and declassification is designed to overcome these weaknesses.

QUESTION NO: 227 (NW241E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 2-2011 OF 18 FEBRUARY 2011
Dr CP Mulder (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

1. How many (a) overseas visits has she undertaken since May 2009 and (b) days has she spent on foreign soil in her official capacity;

2.(a) which countries did she visit, (b)(i) how many and (ii) which of the visits were undertaken on invitation of a host nation, (c) what amount (i) did her department and (ii) any other government department pay for each of her visits, (d) how many officials of her department accompanied her on each specified oversees visit and (e) what did the cost incurred for the officials with regard to each specified journey;

3. What was the purpose of each specified overseas visit?

(a) how many overseas visits have officials of her department undertaken in exercising their duty since May 2009, (b) what did the cost for each specified overseas visit amount to for each official and (c) what was the purpose of each specified visit?

REPLY:

(1) (a) Since May 2009 until March 2011, 38 trips were undertaken,

(b) 206 days were spent on foreign soil in official capacity;

(2) Various countries were visited during this period and in some instances a country was visited more than once in the period as from May 2009 until March 2011 – Sudan, USA, Venezuela, Brazil, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Egypt, Sri Lanka, India, Trinidad & Tobago, Cuba, Ethiopia, China, Switzerland, UK, Ghana, Uganda, Namibia, Mexico, Tanzania, Belgium, Nigeria, Libya, France, DRC, Russia, Lesotho, Italy, Swaziland, Kenya, Angola and Zimbabwe

(b) All the visits were for execution of official business: Summit, JC, Bilateral, Peace efforts in the Continent, UN Commitments, etc

(c) A total amount of R 21 002 383 was incurred by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation,

(d) Minister accompanied by between two to eight officials, and

(e) the cost incurred as indicated above includes accompanying officials for each visit.

(3) All the visits were in Minister's official capacity.

(4)

(a) Since May 2009 to date 2853 overseas visits were undertaken by officials from the department,

(b) In total the visits amounted to R 40 043 174.86

(c) the visits were undertaken in the execution of official duties and include officials who were being posted to serve in countries abroad.

QUESTION NO.:192

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 10 February 2011

192. Mr M A Nhanha (Cope) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

Whether he ordered any review of the salaries of the boards of directors of any state-owned enterprise reporting to him; if not, why not; if so, (a) which entities and (b) for what purposes? NW208E

REPLY

A review of the remuneration and benefits of executive and non-executive directors of the State Owned Enterprises (SOE) reporting to the Department of Public Enterprises was commissioned early in 2010. Given that the issue of remuneration of public entities is a complex and widely debated topic, the Minister at the time set up a panel to undertake this review. A process of consultation with Parliament is imminent before the Department is in a position to determine the final outcome and implementation plan towards a rational, consistent and uniform remuneration model.

In addition, the Presidential Review Committee on SOEs, which is currently underway, is also expected to address this matter, and will contribute to an informed and objective outcome in this regard.

QUESTION NO: 78

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1 OF 10 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether the SA Army is providing training and other support to the army of a certain government (name furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

1) South Africa's involvement in the security of the Central African Republic followed President Bozoze's request to South Africa to assist the Central African Republic's Defence Force (FACA) to upgrade their military capabilities. Subsequently on 11 February 2007, South Africa and the CAR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Defence Cooperation. The actual deployment of the SANDF was operationalised following a Cabinet decision on 29 August 2007.

2) SANDF deployment in the CAR is divided into two mainly OP MORERO – a unit of the SANDF Special Forces that was deployed in CAR to provide VIP protection to President Bozize and Operation Vimbesela – the SANDF's mission involved in the refurbishment of the military bases and the training of the military personnel on that country.

Legal implications – In terms of Subsection 201(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act no 108 of 1996), the President as head of the National Executive, must authorise the deployment of the SANDF in fulfilment of an international obligation by means of a President's minute. Presidential authorisation was granted by means of President Minute 467 of 2007 dated 27 August 2007.

QUESTION NO: 77

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1 OF 10 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

What is the Government's position with regard to President Mugabe's call for an early election in Zimbabwe?

REPLY:

South Africa, through President Zuma, is mandated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to assist the Zimbabwe political leadership to implement the Global Political Agreement (GPA). The GPA provides a guide to the holding of elections in Zimbabwe. In this regard, the GPA envisages that an election in Zimbabwe will be held following the finalisation of the constitution making process. Currently, the Constitutional Parliamentary Select Committee (COPAC) is drafting a new Constitution for Zimbabwe after which a referendum and then elections should be held.

QUESTION NO: 76

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1 OF 10 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr KS Mubu (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether the Government intends to recognise the government of Somaliland; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY:

No, South Africa does not recognise the government of Somaliland. South Africa's position on Somaliland is guided by the positions of the United Nations and the African Union, which favour the preservation of existing national borders. The TFG is internationally recognised as the legitimate government in Somalia and should be supported until such time as a roadmap to peace delivers on a constitution and a fully functional permanent government, as decided by the people of Somalia. South Africa remains deeply concerned at the prevailing situation in Somalia and its impact on the countries of the East African region and the Horn of Africa. The increasing instability and lack of progress in the internal reconciliation process is much regretted and we call on all role players in Somalia, including in Somaliland, to commit themselves to an all inclusive process that will usher in an era of peace in Somalia. South Africa stands ready to support international efforts towards reconciliation, reconstruction and development of Somalia.

QUESTION NO: 67

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1 OF 10 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr S Mokgalapa (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether she intends conducting an official review of foreign missions; if not, why not, if so, for each mission, what are the (a) relevant details, (b) expected diplomatic value, (c) operational cost involved and (d) national interests pursued?

REPLY:

The Department has not specifically planned a review of its foreign missions. However, the Department, on an ongoing basis, reviews the functioning of all its missions abroad.

QUESTION NO: 16

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1 OF 10 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr J Selfe (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

Whether the Government intends to (a) negotiate or (b) conclude any prisoner transfer agreement with any country; if not, why not; if so, (i) with which country, (ii) when and (iii) what are the further relevant details?

REPLY:

(a) No. Government will not enter into Prisoner Transfer Agreements

(b) No. Government's position is that South African citizens arrested abroad must serve their prison sentences in the country in which they were arrested. 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: 133

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 1 OF 10 FEBRUARY 2011

Mr JRB Lorimer (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation:

What (a) statutory provisions, (b) regulations. (c) policy instruments and (d) practices govern the (i) classification, (ii) protection against the release or access, (iii) protection for other purposes such as preservation and (iv) release upon request for access or (aa) documented information and (bb) undocumented information held by (aaa) her department or (bbb) any other entities who receive budgetary transfers from her department?

REPLY:

As part of the South African Public Service, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) adheres to the legislative provisions, regulations, policy instruments and practices applicable to government departments in respect to the classification, protection, archiving and access to information held by it. These include amongst others, the provisions of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, Act 2 of 2000, the Minimum Information Security Standard (MISS), the National Archives and Record Service of South Africa Act, Act 43 of 1996, regulations, policies and good practices adopted in terms thereof for the purpose of classification, protection, archiving and access to information held by departments.

The part of the question relating to information held by "other entities who received budgetary transfers" is unclear, but it is noted that entities such as for example the United Nations, the African Union, SADC, etc, to which membership fees are made from the budget of DIRCO have their own provisions in respect of how they deal with information.

2011-11-28

What's wrong with this page?