/ 4 October 2005

SA to open embassy in Iraq ‘sooner rather than later’

South Africa would put processes in motion to open a mission in Iraq, deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad said on Tuesday.

The matter was raised in talks with his Iraqi counterpart Talib Hamid Al-Bayati in Pretoria on Tuesday afternoon.

South Africa had taken the decision in principle long ago, but would have to consider factors such as budgetary implications and the security situation in Iraq, Pahad told reporters.

”We will be looking at sending an advance team to Iraq sooner rather than later,” he said.

”We will put in motion the processes of opening the embassy.”

South Africa has recognised Iraq’s interim government, and that country opened a mission in Pretoria in June.

Al-Bayati’s visit was the first by an Iraqi government official on a bilateral level.

The two men also discussed the potential for deepening economic co-operation.

Pahad said South African exports to Iraq increased from about R90-million in 2004 to over R233-million in the first five months of this year. Iraq was South Africa’s fourth biggest export market in the Middle East.

”Both delegations believe there is still a lot of scope and potential for increasing our trade relations.”

Iraq’s oil industry posed much potential for outside involvement and investment, which South Africa intended exploring further.

Al-Bayati reiterated the need to boost economic ties, and said Iraq needed all the help it could get from friendly countries in post-war reconstruction efforts.

”South Africa can do a lot to help the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government.”

Pahad said he was pleased with reports from Al-Bayati on constitutional processes unfolding in Iraq, including plans for a referendum later this month and elections in December.

”The deputy minister, on behalf of his government, is confident of a very successful turnout and that the political process is on the roll.”

Iraq was strategically placed in the Middle East and was set to become a key political player in the region, Pahad said.

Al-Bayati said Iraq had come a long way from what he described as the brutal dictatorship of deposed leader Saddam Hussein.

Despite security concerns, the process of building democracy in that country was under way.

He expected to have security and stability in Iraq by the end of the year, following December’s elections. ”Then we will start rebuilding our country.”

Al-Bayati could not say what had happened to the so-called weapons of mass destruction which prompted the United States-led military intervention in his country.

They had either been destroyed by Hussein, were hidden, or were shipped off to another country, he said in response to a question. ”All these possibilities are there.”

On South Africans doing security work in Iraq, Al-Bayati said the country needed foreign security companies to deal with ongoing violence and terrorist attacks.

”They are doing a great job there — they are risking their lives…”

Pahad said it was not clear whether these citizens were in violation of South African mercenary laws, but the matter was being looked at.

The parties agreed on continuing dialogue at various levels and increasing bilateral contact.

”This was the beginning of more intense discussions and exchange of ideas, and the consolidation of our relations generally,” Pahad said. – Sapa