Hi there everyone

Under President Mandela, South Africa quickly build a reputation as a leader in Human Rights. Our very good cosnt. and the moral leadership of our president gave us a high ground that was usefull in the world. Some examples is for instanc that we destroyed our nukes, ended violent conflict, negotioated a settlement without forgeing involvement in the talks, and came to a peacefull conclusion, the Truth and Reconciliation Commitee etc.

So when we got our seat on the UN security counsel, south Africans and the World thoguht that here was an opertunity to use this to make a difference in the world.

Unfortunatly, Mandela is no longer our president, and we are now under teh gocernment of the inconsitent Mbeki and his mostly incomponent government (I say mostly, because hre is three good ministers, prooving no government is ALL bad).

So our tenure on the counsel has been a mess, anda huge embarasement to us here.

This is just the last in a serious of strange decisions:

The Times - Article

AH

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“The subject no longer has to be mentioned by name. Someone is sick. Someone else is feeling better now. A friend has just gone back into the hospital. Another has died. The unspoken name, of course, is AIDS.”
“From the point of view of the pharmaceutical industry, the AIDS problem has already been solved. After all, we already have a drug which can be sold at the incredible price of $8, 000 an annual dose, and which has the added virtue of not diminishing the market by actually curing anyone.”

They've also been spending a lot on defence technology like weapons and warplanes. Not quite sure what it's needed for.
The current SA government's support, or at least lack of condemnation, for Mugabe's government, has been particularly striking.

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... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
I have the honour to be... your obliged humble servant, Anthony Henley
- MPs reply to constituent, mid 1700s

Not really. ASEAN has the same type of policy and the reason is (as Lee Kuan Yew) has stated is to avoid potential regional conflict. These nations are not developed and many are not "really" democratic. Leaders get paranoid when they feel people are colluding to interfere in their internal affairs, especially in a way that might back opposition or promote invasion. Given this situation, it is often better to live and let live as long as the other nation is not bother you.

South Africa, (well the ANC) has a historic relationship with Mugabe and they have not forgot that, regardless of what he has become. Africans have historically (since independence) promoted regional unity regardless of what is going on, because they like outside (read Western) interference (due to colonial history) more than they dislike what their neighbor is doing internally.

Another issue in the Zim saga is culture. In southern African culture, it is not done that the younger critises the elder in public. Thus President Mbeki (in his 60's, and in power since 19990 can not publickly critise Mugabe (almost 90, ruling since 1983), whilst Mandela 9already 90) can.

The ANC insists that it is doing a lot behind the scenes, just not in public.


But I am not giving this as an excuse. Most south africas, regardless of colour, is clamouring for Mbeki to say something. There is a feeling of brotherhood with Zibabwe, as it was not only Mugabe that supported the SA people during apartheid, butmost of Zim. Also, since we have a large white minority, many people in SA fear that silence is agreement, and that causes fear and mistrust in SA. So Mbeki shouldhave spoken out, as one of his most senior government officials, Minister Kadar Asmal did a month or two ago (which was brave, anyone disagreeing with Mbeki is almost immedialty fired from government).

On the weapons Oz. I am a pacifist, and against armament, but here I must defend SA. It is mostly an upgrade program, as a lot of our weaponry in the navy and airforce is quite old (army is ok). With SA doing more and more peace missions, more and more air and sea support is needed, and it is felt our bravetroops are endangerd if we do not keep our military well equiped.

AH

__________________
“The subject no longer has to be mentioned by name. Someone is sick. Someone else is feeling better now. A friend has just gone back into the hospital. Another has died. The unspoken name, of course, is AIDS.”
“From the point of view of the pharmaceutical industry, the AIDS problem has already been solved. After all, we already have a drug which can be sold at the incredible price of $8, 000 an annual dose, and which has the added virtue of not diminishing the market by actually curing anyone.”

Here is the governments reply tpo the above:

SA slams human rights ranking: South Africa: Politics: News24

AH

__________________
“The subject no longer has to be mentioned by name. Someone is sick. Someone else is feeling better now. A friend has just gone back into the hospital. Another has died. The unspoken name, of course, is AIDS.”
“From the point of view of the pharmaceutical industry, the AIDS problem has already been solved. After all, we already have a drug which can be sold at the incredible price of $8, 000 an annual dose, and which has the added virtue of not diminishing the market by actually curing anyone.”

Oz. About your remark concerning SA military spending, a reply from the Minister of Finance himself:

Defence spending 'jusitfied': South Africa: Politics: News24

Again, I would never defend military spending, but less than 2% of our GDP is not too rough

AH

__________________
“The subject no longer has to be mentioned by name. Someone is sick. Someone else is feeling better now. A friend has just gone back into the hospital. Another has died. The unspoken name, of course, is AIDS.”
“From the point of view of the pharmaceutical industry, the AIDS problem has already been solved. After all, we already have a drug which can be sold at the incredible price of $8, 000 an annual dose, and which has the added virtue of not diminishing the market by actually curing anyone.”

I see the necessity of having decent weapons and numbers of troops for peace-keeping missions, but why does SA need missiles, warplanes, and warships? You're hardly going to need them if you get invaded by any of your neighbours.

__________________
... I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all. You know, as I know, that I bought this constituency... may God's curse light upon you and may it make your women as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your scoundrel corporation.
I have the honour to be... your obliged humble servant, Anthony Henley
- MPs reply to constituent, mid 1700s