TUESDAY, 16 OCTOBER 2001 __

                    PROCEEDINGS AT JOINT SITTING
                                ____

Members of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces assembled in the Chamber of the National Assembly at 14:07.

The Speaker of the National Assembly took the Chair and requested members to observe a moment of silence for prayers or meditation.

WELCOMING ADDRESS TO PRESIDENT ABDELAZIZ BOUTEFLIKA OF ALGERIA

The SPEAKER: Hon members, Mr President, we are honoured to have amongst us today His Excellency President Bouteflika of the Democratic People’s Republic of Algeria, who has been invited to address this Joint Sitting of Parliament on the occasion of his visit to South Africa.

We welcome you, President Bouteflika, as a long-standing friend and ally of the people of South Africa and as a partner in the establishment of the African Union and the development and implementation of the New Africa Initiative. Mr President, we now call upon you to address the national Parliament. [Applause.]

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY ABDELAZIZ BOUTEFLIKA, PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA[pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic][pic] (Translation of Arabic speech follows.)

[Mr ABDELAZIZ BOUTEFLIKA: In the Name of God, Most Gracious Most Merciful, Peace and Blessings upon the noblest of God’s messengers, his family and companions.

Madam Speaker, head of the National Assembly, Madam Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Your Excellency the President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, distinguished members of Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, allow me at the very outset to express to you, on behalf of the accompanying delegation and myself, our sincere and profound thanks for the warm and fraternal reception that we have been afforded since our arrival in your great country, the symbol of complete restored dignity, embracing diversity in love and honour.

My visit to South Africa comes naturally as an extension of the historic and traditional ties of solidarity between us, founded on our sharing in the culture of struggle against colonialism and apartheid, as it also derives from our shared vision of a united, prosperous and free Africa, liberating us from the nightmare of division, scatteredness, suffering and poverty.

My presence in your esteemed company in this illustrious Assembly grants me an opportunity, which I will seize, to address the representatives of a great nation - a people who made the values of freedom, democracy and tolerance the mainstays of a multiracial society, setting the example in co- existence and mutual love in and for communities of diverse ethnicities, religions and distinctive traditions.

Amongst you are those who were soldiers in the cause of freedom and fought for the emergence of a new South Africa that is at peace with itself. I wish to take this opportunity to pay them a tribute of greetings and dignity, which befits them. It behoves me to take pride in being associated with them - in a modest way, that is - in their struggle and in sharing a part of the success that they achieved.

The Algerian people, who provided you with support and assistance during your just struggle, are today immensely proud of your presence, by their side, participating in humanity’s struggle for the prevalence of peace and justice in Africa and the rest of the world. Algeria has undergone in recent years a very turbulent period, plagued as it was by a trial which threatened its security and stability. Terrorist, barbaric and abominable violence, which has gripped our country, reached disproportionate heights unimaginable to anyone. Given this reality, it unfortunately did not arouse the interest and concern of international public opinion at the time.

We have taken a parallel initiative of recruiting and mobilising in the highest degree all our abilities to uproot the cause of terrorism and extend the cloak of peace and security anew. We have implemented a project aimed at political renewal and economic resuscitation. This was included in an endeavour dedicated to civil prosperity and concord, adopted en masse by the Algerian people. This enabled Algeria to reclaim in a progressive manner its unity, stability and a resuscitated political life based on democracy, the rule of law and liberalised economic activity. Indeed we are in a position that permits me to say that Algeria has paid dearly during the past 10 years.

We are counting the dead by the tens of thousands; more precisely, 100 000 have been killed. The victims of terrorism number in the region of one million individuals and the material damage that we have endured exceeds $20 billion, or a billion dinars. All this constitutes a terrible harvest, the enormity of which is clear in proportion to the painful reality. As a result we are determined and resolute to tackle it with firmness and persistence.

The Algerian people, in anchoring their choice for civil concord, have displayed an attitude which leaves no scope for doubt in confronting the greatest of challenges. This is achieved through tolerance, fraternity and open-mindedness, in peaceful co-existence with others sharing the sweetness and bitterness of life.

One of the tangible results of this endeavour for civil concord enabled Algeria to release energies and resources dedicated specially to social and economic development. These efforts come within a comprehensive economic framework, the indications of which have stabilised and which rank under a broad programme initiated by the state to push economic activity ahead. Part of these efforts are embodied by a revival that covers different economic spheres, promising much in terms of quality and diversity. In this manner a secure transition was completed from a frail, unbalanced economy which, as you know, was steered and stifled by the restrictions of socialism, which is idealistic in its aims. This transition to an economy was marked by clear change conducive to growth in the private sector and the growing dynamic which is discernible in various fields. At the forefront of this change are agriculture, the food industry, consumer goods, services and combustible energy. The economic recovery programme gives definite priority to the human and social dimension and development. It aims at creating thousands of employment positions and social upliftment, increasing communication networks and improving living conditions in rural areas. This will also expand quality and diverse access to education and health structures.

If this is indicative of anything, then it will mean that Algeria, which has been weakened by wounds inflicted over a decade of destruction and torture, is preparing for the future, with courage, confidence and hope. It enjoys in abundance huge potential for development and growth relying fundamentally on the massive natural resources hidden in the substratum of its land. This potential relies as well on the diverse manpower and the framework of its functioning. The strength of this potential is reflected in its human resources, which Algeria has been keen on nurturing since independence. They benefited tremendously from the density and diversity of the economic and social achievements, so as to ensure the formation of an important winning recipe. This has guaranteed the success of the economic recovery plan, which we have already commenced with.

Madam Speaker, in order to evaluate our recovery at the international level, we wanted Algeria to retain the position it enjoyed previously and return to its friendships and traditional alliances which have been somewhat paralysed during the turbulent period that we have experienced. Indeed our efforts have begun to yield fruit, and I am able to say with happiness and pleasure that the proximity and multifaceted co-operation between Algeria and South Africa, complemented by able leadership both in Africa and internationally, is decisive proof and indisputable evidence of our efforts, dedicated and faithful to Algeria’s principles, guarding its dignity and depending on your sympathy and mutual understanding. It has the power to make an important contribution to the progress of the continent and the happiness of its people.

As to what concerns us, besides shared feelings of brotherhood that bind us, there is a scope in terms of economic potential wide enough for the evolution of complementariness in all fields of activity. The initiative that we took last year in constructing the Supreme Council of Co-operation has allowed the setting up of an appropriate legal framework for developing a mutually beneficial partnership between our countries. This framework will be favourable for commencing a bilateral programme in striking economic and commercial deals.

The evaluation made by our Ministers of Foreign Affairs last July and during our multisector meetings held in September 2001 in Algiers has identified novel possibilities to intensify co-operation. Some of these possibilities have already been exploited successfully whilst paving the way for the exploitation of others. In this way our efforts in establishing a partnership will produce wholesome and secure returns and thus lead to positive initial results, encouraging economic entrepreneurs to greater mobilisation in realising new achievements. The second session of the bilateral commission, to be held from tomorrow in Pretoria, will be an important step in this regard. It will give the necessary political impetus which will enable, by virtue of your support and that of the Algerian parliament, the completion of the legal framework started in Algeria. It will define a new thrust of partnership and make our relationship a model of co-operation to be emulated by all Africans.

Concurrently with the holding of the binational commission we decided to present businessmen of our countries with a forum for consultation around work and co-operation opportunities. This forum, which is currently in session in Pretoria, will be conducive for economic entrepreneurs of both countries to imitate in continuation of the consultations carried out directly in Algiers in two previous meetings. We hope that this will lead to various partnership deals, achieving the desired end result.

Ladies and gentlemen, Algeria and South Africa have identical approaches to international problems and are determined to continue their joint endeavour expediting the integration of Africa. This will advocate our commitment in the international arena. For this purpose, Algeria and South Africa, together with Nigeria, Senegal and Egypt, have taken the initiative towards an endeavour for the renaissance of the continent. An endeavour of this kind must allow Africa to raise and confront the challenges on the political, social and economic fronts.

This initiative gained the support of all African countries during the last Organisation of African Unity summit, which was held in Lusaka, as well as that of the G8 summit. With careful observation it appears today that the political framework is geared towards delivering the continent from retrogression and marginalisation completely.

With this aim in mind, President Thabo Mbeki, other heads of state and I went to Brussels on 10 October to study and advise on the manner of participation to be adopted by the Europeans in the implementation of our projects. However, the fundamental characteristic of the New Africa Initiative lies in its being conceived by Africans themselves with the aim of depending to the highest extent on their own will, undertaking the necessary sacrifices. The New Africa Initiative aims firstly to guarantee the stability and security of the continent by resolving ongoing national and regional conflicts. These conflicts create rampant corruption and seriously hamper all efforts geared towards development.

We both share the same vision tied to efforts that are necessary to settle and prevent conflict in Africa. The initiative, then, is geared towards mobilising all the factors and committed to social and economic upliftment in Africa, eradicating poverty and combating the HIV/Aids pandemic, which has become a world scourge. Finally it aims at the integration of Africa in the context of globalisation, which could result in our further marginalisation and exclusion from the international arena, should we not live up to that reality.

This initiative, ladies and gentlemen, is such that today no one in Africa disagrees with it. The initiative came essentially from President Mbeki, and therefore as Africans we are all indebted to him. We acknowledge this with humility and many are grateful to him for his efforts to push the African continent ahead. Our countries are in consultation aimed at defining the path to be trod and the means to ensure the sound and speedy transition of the OAU into the African Union. This is to enable the first summit of the African Union, scheduled to be held in your great country, to give the signal of a new start as conclusive proof of the real African Renaissance.

The dignity of Africa constitutes the first prerequisite in order to merit the appreciation and respect of the international community. This must be premised on the freedom of its people and their right to self-determination and national independence. Unfortunately, the Sahrawi people, who are still not allowed to determine their own future, have not yet realised this reality. Undoubtedly it remains for the United Nations to be faithful to its principles and international obligations. It is also for the rest of the international community, especially the African countries, to add their weight in facilitating the implementation of the settlement plan approved and adopted by the Security Council in this regard. We are under an obligation - whilst peace endeavours, which are promising, though still fragile, are under way in the Great Lakes region - to combine our efforts to ensure that these endeavours will be irreversible.

Others must look upon us as a responsible and united continent not divided up into sub-Saharan and north Saharan countries. As a continent we want to interact with others on the same footing as Europe does. We support the European efforts for the African Union, wanting others to understand that our continent has ambitions which must be respected. There can be no room for discriminating between member states of the OAU and between states in the future, when the new African reality comes into existence in Pretoria. We direct an official appeal to all those who interact with Africa to understand what I am saying and be convinced that I am expressing the feelings of every African.

South Africa has a special role in these endeavours, naturally within the framework agreed upon in Lusaka. We are both committed to and preoccupied in advocating a just and comprehensive solution for the problems of the Middle East, where the Palestinian question occupies a central position. The solution is the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital. Also there is the question of the return of all other occupied Arab lands by Israel to its people.

The world today, ladies and gentlemen, is confronted by a variety of comprehensive challenges of which the scourge of terrorism is the most dangerous and destructive. As I am speaking here, wide-ranging military operations are being conducted and plans adopted, resulting in the intensive bombing of Afghan territory. It is a situation which could escalate, becoming extremely complicated and difficult to control, given the excesses always peculiar to situations such as these, as it appears impossible to locate the enemy which should be annihilated and whose presence needs to be defined with precision and certainty.

Therefore we approve and justify all actions undertaken to eradicate terrorism. Our invitation to the international community to become involved in this fight was unfortunately in vain, as it did not lend any importance to our warnings until wealthy and more powerful societies became exposed to the evil of this scourge. There can never be an accepted terrorism and a rejected one. We have to wage war against the scourge of terror that threatens human civilisation and people, whether in the South or the North. This we should do even if its strength increases greatly.

However, we have to state unambiguously that eradicating terrorism means that it must be confronted wherever it exists. It should be confronted today and in every country, especially European countries that provide refuge to and harbour terrorists. Our position is crystal clear vis-à-vis this question and we support the USA, however it buries and eradicates all kinds of terrorism. There should, though, be no confusion between liberation movements and terrorism, just as there should be no confusion between Islam, with its teachings of tolerance, love and fraternity between people and different religions, and terrorism. Those who have strayed and embraced a new message marked by violence and destruction only give tidings of a bleak future relegating us to the Middle Ages.

The barbaric attacks of 11 September on the USA were condemned unequivocally by Algeria. We may have been afflicted more than anyone by terrorism, given the victims and their suffering, and the terrible ordeals of their families. Hence it is natural that we are prepared and willing to participate with the international community in a collective, strong and organised manner to rid the world of this evil. This task, though, should be carried out under the auspices of the United Nations and as agreed upon in other international frameworks, in order to avert any excesses. This repressive action has become necessary due to the human and material damage inflicted and recorded. We in Algeria unreservedly approve of it, provided it is accompanied by comprehensive and serious studies to prevent the resurgence of terrorism and its proliferation through research of its deeply embedded causes nationally or internationally, for it is a vicious circle, which has roots that must be identified and eradicated. Only then can we make our world a place in which justice and equity prevail, where men and women can enjoy their complete freedom, dignity and security, given that their security is the first human right.

Ladies and gentlemen, you have honoured me by allowing me to address the elected representatives of the South African people, to whom we express our admiration and convey our best wishes for their happiness, prosperity and wellbeing. We are tremendously impressed by your brotherly welcome and warm embrace. It behoves me to express my heartfelt gratitude and good wishes to you. Finally I want to convey to you the appreciation and respect that the Algerian people cherish for your country and all its freedom fighters, who were at the vanguard of your victory in achieving freedom and dignity. This goes for your leadership as well, not only because of the personal relationships that bind them in friendship, fraternity and love, but also because they are an honour to your country and Africa overall.

At the lunch banquet arranged for us by Madam Speaker, I said that all virtue was your due. Thank you in abundance for this great act and for your patience.]

                           VOTE OF THANKS

Mr D M NKOSI: Somlomo, Mongameli, Sekela-Mongameli, baba Mongameli Bouteflika osivakashele, ngiyanibingelela. [Madam Speaker, President, Deputy President, hon President Bouteflika who is visiting us, I greet you all.]

Because we had Arabic, I think is it proper for me to respond in Zulu. [Applause.] Greetings to all.

In the late 1950s, led by the FLN, the Algerian people inspired us in their struggle against the French colonial powers. We know that the President visiting us today, born in 1937, joined the same organisation in 1956 and was part of the independence celebrated in 1962.

The apartheid government co-operated with the colonial powers in Algeria in the torture techniques used against South Africans. The young Nelson Mandela, later our President, trained in Algeria in 1962. The ANC had camps there for its liberation fighters, and in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s the ANC had offices in that country.

After the 1994 elections, a South African embassy was opened in Algiers. A Joint Bilateral Commission was established in 1998 and then a Binational Commission at presidential level in 2000, with 14 agreements, and more still to be negotiated.

During President Bouteflika’s tenure as chair of the OAU, he campaigned for the resolution of the DRC crisis and the ending of the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Presidents Mbeki, Bouteflika and Obasanjo are key architects and promoters of the Millennium Africa Recovery Programme, a development blueprint for the continent of Africa. [Applause.] We have hope of an African Renaissance. We believe we can maintain and further both nations’ interests by working together.

We must resolve to build sustainable stability, security and development. The Third World, and Africans in particular, will be greatly enriched by the quality of leadership of our continent.

We thank you, hon President Bouteflika, for coming to South Africa and for the good work. We wish you good health and a good life. Siyabonga kakhulu. [Thank you very much.] [Applause.]

The Joint Sitting rose at 14:53.