BRIEFING BY MINISTER OF DEFENCE
2 September 1999

SUMMARY
The Minister of Defence explained that the main task of the Defence Force is to defend the integrity of the country. He said that the Defence Force is in the process of changing its posture so as to conform to the values of the newly acquired democracy. He mentioned that the stability situation in Southern Africa dictates that the Defence Force must sharpen its ability to participate in peace keeping and peace enforcement. He expressed hope that the war situation in the DRC would come to an end as all the concerned parties have finally signed the cease-fire agreement and, he touched on the role the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) will play in that region.

MINUTES
The Minister of Defence, Mr T Lekota, began by expressing gratitude to those members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who are participating in the disaster management at the Cape Flats following the storm that hit the area on Sunday 29 August 1999.

The Minister announced that the Constitution calls the SANDF into being for the specific task of defending the integrity of the country. He said the SANDF has secondary duties such as assisting the South African Police Services (SAPS) in situations like the disaster in the Cape Flats. It is also the task of the Defence Force to secure peace in countries beyond the borders because lack of peace in neighboring countries has the potential to threaten our own peace.

He went on to state that since wars of liberation in this century have run their course in that most countries are now free, the Defence Force has to adopt a new posture in keeping with the values of a democratic society. "We have committed ourselves to participate in international affairs to maintain peace; therefore the SANDF has to adopt a posture enabling it to meet this obligation", explained the Minister.

Minister Lekota announced that the process of transforming the Defence Force is continuing. "We are now consolidating the various forces of the past into a one solid loyal Defence Force", the Minister said.

On the issue of the rights of the Defence Force members the Minister proclaimed that the Defence Act has to be reviewed. He said that they had been ordered by the Constitutional Court to introduce and provide mechanisms so that members of the Defence Force could be members of Military Trade Unions. "Equally, in keeping with these, the process of equal opportunities in the Defence Force occupies us", said the Minister.

Minister Lekota further stated that "The need for stability in our region dictates that we must sharpen the ability of the Defence Force to be able to participate in peace keeping and peace enforcement ". "We are convinced that this will be a major preoccupation of the Defence Force ", declared the Minister.

Minister Lekota stated that at the moment they are busy with the process of SADC member states forming a security organ. He said this process whereby SADC member states will sign a political protocol, would be speeded up. He mentioned that he had recently met with his counterparts in Zimbabwe and Namibia and they had agreed that this organ be speedily finalised.

"We need to place SADC member states in a position to intervene and contain any threat to stability whether by member states or not", promised the Minister. "Any potential for conflict will be undermined", he ensured. He said investors with assets in Southern Africa would rest in peace knowing that their assets are protected by all states in the region and other investors will come and invest knowing that they will be secure.

Concerning the situation in the DRC the Minister said, "We are on board as far as all parties involved have signed the cease-fire agreement". He mentioned that South Africa is prepared to conform with whatever requirements the OAU may ask of her. He mentioned that a request to be military liaison officers had been received from the UN and that South Africa must contribute to the first contingent to the DRC. He announced that South Africa is continuing to assist in Lesotho.

Questions

Q Can you give us the details of the acquisition packages.

A We have indicated categories of need, however; I am not in a position to deal with detail until the process has run its course.

Q Can you confirm that the acquisition packages are to be reduced by 5 billion.

A I have already stated that I am not in a position to deal with detail but I do not think there will be a reduction. But of course we will deal with detail in due course.

Q Who will carry the costs of the force which will be established.

A If the operation is of SADC, then SADC will carry the costs. If the UN orders the operation, the costs will be carried via the arrangements made with the UN.

Q Is there a possibility of the Y2K threat affecting the SANDF.

A The SANDF with all its structures is Y2K compliant and it is in a position to assist the rest of the country.

Q Can you confirm that the air-jet which has just been shot down was in fact shot over Eritrea and not over Ethiopia.

A I can not confirm those reports.