/ 18 January 2006

Palestine ‘looks forward to Mbeki’s intervention’

Palestine’s new ambassador to South Africa appealed to President Thabo Mbeki on Wednesday for the country to continue its mediating role in the stagnated peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

”South Africa has to continue playing its role in reviving the political process in the Middle East and we are looking forward to your personal intervention soon in this regard,” said Ali Halimeh on handing his letter of credence to Mbeki in Pretoria.

Little progress has been made to revive political negotiations, although the Israelis have withdrawn from the Gaza Strip, he said.

Halimeh said more has to be done regarding the West Bank and Jerusalem, ”in particular concerning the continued Israel policies of confiscating Palestinian land and building more illegal Jewish settlements and the annexation of the holy city of Jerusalem”.

He said South Africa’s support will be needed to ensure a peaceful environment during Palestine’s historic legislative council elections.

Halimeh said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is confident South Africa’s government will extend the support he needs to fulfil his mission as ambassador to South Africa.

Mbeki said Palestine’s future is a matter of ”principal concern” to South Africa, and the country will look into what should be done next to speed up political negotiations.

”We will remain very engaged with regard to this issue. What we do will depend very much on your guidance,” Mbeki said.

The president said if this new year could bring about genuine and lasting peace for Palestine, it would indeed be called a happy new year.

Indonesia

Mbeki also received a letter of credence from Indonesia’s new ambassador, Sugeng Rahardo, who thanked South Africa for its help in the wake of the devastating tsunami that hit his country on December 26 2004.

”On behalf of the government and people of Indonesia, I wish to express our heartfelt appreciation for this generous assistance made by the government and the people of South Africa towards the tsunami’s victims in Aceh and Nias,” Rahardo said.

He also took pride in the cooperation between South Africa and Indonesia in international forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement and the New Asian-Africa Strategic Partnership.

South Africa was impressed by Indonesia’s progress in recovering from the tidal wave, Mbeki replied.

He went on to congratulate its government for making peace with the separatist Free Aceh Movement.

Argentina and Croatia

On handing over his credentials, Argentina’s new ambassador Carlos Sersale di Cerisono said he is honoured to serve in the county entrusted with hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Cerisono said Argentina’s vision is to strengthen its bilateral relationship with South Africa based on principles of cooperation, complementing each other in bilateral and multilateral relations and the principles of mutual benefit and transparency.

Said the new Croatian ambassador, Ivan Picukaric: ”Croatia strives and expects to become a full member of the European Union and Nato in the nearest [sic] future.

”That does not mean we will forget our African and non-aligned friends and partners.”

He said South Africa holds a special place among Croatia’s friends and partners and that South Africa’s peacemaking and institution-building efforts in Africa are highly appreciated.

While bilateral political and cultural relations between the two countries are excellent, mutual trade and economic relations that are ”lagging far behind” will have to be improved through mutual efforts, Picukaric said.

”We have been very impressed with the progress Croatia has made following the problems in the Balkans,” Mbeki said.

The president said South Africa supports Croatia’s efforts to join the EU as it would strengthen the country, which would be to the benefit of Croatia’s allies outside the EU. — Sapa