/ 8 February 1999

US DEFENCE CHIEF TO SA

UNITED States Defence Secretary William Cohen is due to arrive in Cape Town on Tuesday morning for talks with Defence Minister Joe Modise and Deputy President Thabo Mbeki. Defence ministry spokesperson Puso Tladi said Cohen will sign a military co-operation agreement. Cohen, on his first visit to South Africa, is also expected to discuss US plans for an African centre for security studies, and encourage South Africa to take a more active role in regional peacekeeping. Cohen may also meet President Mandela before leaving for Washington on February 12.

07