Pretoria, Presidential Guest House, 25 January 2008
Ambassador designate of Kuwait
Welcome Ambassador.
Ambassador we need to focus on strengthening the relations between
Kuwait and South Africa with a particular emphasis on the economic
relations and opportunities that exist.
We must also continue to look at these matters including those in
the Middle East. I am quite sure we will continue to work on these
questions.
But welcome Ambassador
Ambassador designate of Brazil
Welcome Ambassador
As you know Ambassador, in order to prepare for the meeting of our
soccer teams, we have borrowed one of your own to help us. He has
assured us that Brazil will not be a problem.
But I must say welcome Ambassador and we are very glad that you are
here and we share the comments you have made. We share these sentiments
absolutely.
Brazil is to South Africa more than a partner - more than a
Strategic Partner - we have indeed a common commitment to what we must
do. We have enormous potential in terms of looking absolutely at every
element of relations between South Africa and Brazil and the work that
we can and must do together.
I think the larger question for South Africa is the improvement of
the relations - not just in terms of South Africa and Latin America but
in terms of Africa and Latin America - this is a very important element
in terms of our own priority and Brazil is a very important entry point
to this sub-continent to develop that kind of relations. I am very
pleased we had the first summit between Latin America and Africa at the
end of 2006.
The further strengthening of IBSA is also a very important element
of our relations.
We carry also the responsibility Ambassador, to strengthen our
relations on a bilateral basis but also globally, the developing
countries look to Brazil and South Africa to play a role in addressing
the concerns of the entirety of the developing nations.
Welcome indeed Ambassador.
Ambassador designate of Madagascar
Ambassador welcome.
We are very glad to see you here because indeed your presence
indicates the common resolve to strengthen relations between Madagascar
and ourselves. As you would know, we have discussed this matter at some
length with your President trying to identify various areas of
co-operation and to see what it is we can do to speed up that process.
Even now, we have agreed that we will have a meeting of our own in
Addis Ababa at the AU Summit.
Indeed, Ambassador, we will rely on you to really give meat and
flesh to this relationship. We are very close.
You would know Ambassador that during South Africa's struggle for
liberation, one of the challenges the ANC faced was how to communicate
with the population of South Africa and so, one of the things we did
was to agree with the government of Madagascar who allowed us to
broadcast from Madagascar to South Africa. As you know, the countries
are very close.
So, this is an indication of the nature of the relations between
Madagascar and South Africa so Ambassador, we must work at particularly
these challenges of development that face both South Africa and
Madagascar. If we pool our resources and capacities we will certainly
be able to address these challenges and make progress.
South Africa also considers Madagascar a Strategic Partner.
Welcome Ambassador.
Ambassador designate of Iran
Ambassador thank you very much and thank you indeed for that
message.
You know Ambassador, I owe your President a visit - I did promise
him that I would visit, I am on my way Ambassador.
It is an important thing Ambassador because indeed, as you have
indicated, the two countries and the two governments have for a long
time now pointed to the need for Iran and South Africa to work together
to strengthen these relations. We have looked with your President and
other leaders of the Iranian people at various areas of co-operation
that would benefit both countries and indeed, we are quite committed
Ambassador to continue to work together on this matter of strengthening
bilateral
The point you make also, Ambassador, is important, about the role of
Iran in the region. Indeed, it places Iran as a very important player
!
in that region - the Persian Gulf, the Middle East and so on, quite
correctly.
So, it then emphasises the point Ambassador of the need for us to
work closer together even in that context because as you know, South
Africa has worked with Iranian government for quite some time, even on
this controversial matter that arose around the peaceful uses of
nuclear energy.
We have always insisted, together with the government of Iran, that
Iran like all other members and signatories of the Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty - there are rights and obligations in that
Treaty one of which is the right to peaceful us!e of nuclear technology.
This is a rule that applies to everybody and must indeed apply to
everybody.
So, I am saying we have worked together on matters like that for a
long time now as we must continue to work on all other matters - out of
importance not just to Iran and South Africa but also to other
countries - we can also make our own positive contribution.
But certainly Ambassador, let me promise you that we will work with
you very closely while you are here. Let's discuss everything and
anything and let us see what we can do together in the bilateral
interest but also that would also help to improve the situation
elsewhere in the world.
You are most welcome Ambassador.