Notes following IRPS Cluster Media Briefing, Imbizo Media Centre, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town, Wednesday 14 May 2008. Explosions in India - The South African government joins the international community in condemning the series of explosions in Jaipur, India that has resulted in 61 deaths and the injury of 100s.  We extend our condolences to the government and people of India. Terrorism is a serious threat to international peace and security.

Minister Dlamini Zuma regrets the Impact of EU’s Economic Partnership Agreements on Regional Unity.  Cape Town - South Africa’s engagement with the European Union is legally regulated through the TDCA.  In 2005, South Africa commenced a review of this instrument.  That process is nearly complete and will be presented during the envisaged Summit with the European Union on 25 July 2008 in Nantes, France.

President Thabo Mbeki to hold Bilateral Discussions with Mozambican President Armando Guebuza. Pretoria – South African President Thabo Mbeki will on Thursday 15 May 2008 depart for Maputo, Mozambique where he is expected to hold political bilateral discussions with his Mozambican counterpart President Armando Guebuza scheduled for later in the day.

Statement on the Cabinet Meeting of 14 May 2008. Cabinet held its ordinary meeting in Cape Town yesterday, 14 May 2008. The meeting discussed the recent violent attacks on foreign nationals in Alexandra and other parts of the country. Cabinet condemns these acts of violence in the strongest possible terms and calls on our communities to be vigilant and to avoid being manipulated by provocateurs who seek to exploit people’s fears and concerns.

Minister Dlamini Zuma extends Condolences to Chinese Government and People. Cape Town – South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma today Wednesday 14 May 2008 conveyed, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, her deepest condolences to the government and people of China following the devastating earthquake in Sichuan Province on Monday 12 May 2008.

Statement by Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad at the Department of Foreign Affairs Budget Vote, 13 May 2008. I would like to advise him to stop depending on sources such as the Freedom House and American “experts”. He should rather have listened to the input of the Minister, to get a better sense of the progress that Africa has made in the area of good governance, democracy and human rights.

Budget Vote Speech of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to the National Assembly, Tuesday 13 May 2008. This year, 2008, marks the 90th birthday of that great icon, hero and leader of our people: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. Nelson Mandela continues to inspire hope in millions of our people as they struggle for a better life for all. In July the world will join us in celebrating a life that epitomises triumph of humanity over adversity and the victory of the human spirit over the apartheid system- a crime against humanity. Sithi halala Madiba! Ukhule uzukhokhobe. Wuyibekile induku ebandla! Usibuyisele isthunzi somuntu omnyama umhlaba jikelele! 

Somerset West Ministerial Communiqué, India – Brazil – South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum, 11 May 2008. The Minister of External Affairs of India, H.E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the Minister of External Relations of Brazil, H.E. Mr. Celso Amorim, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, met in Somerset West, South Africa on 11 May 2008 for the Fifth Meeting of the Trilateral Commission of the IBSA Dialogue Forum.

Remarks from India-Brazil-South Africa Ministerial Meeting, Lord Charles Hotel, Cape Town, Sunday 11 May 2008 - Closing Remarks by Ministers Dlamini Zuma, Pranab Mukherjee and Celso Amorim. Remarks by Minister Celso Amorim - Minister Dlamini Zuma, Minister Pranab Mukherjee, the environment of our meeting has been so fraternal, it has been so friendly that in truth it is really difficult to conclude.  What we can really say is that everything that has happened during the work that has been done today confirms the vision of a real strategic alliance...

Remarks from India-Brazil-South Africa Ministerial Meeting, Lord Charles Hotel, Cape Town, Sunday 11 May 2008 - Opening Remarks by Ministers Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Pranab Mukherjee and Celso Amorim. Remarks by Minister Dlamini Zuma - It gives me great pleasure to welcome you on behalf of the government and people of South Africa to the 5th Ministerial Meeting of the India – Brazil – South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue. Yesterday we also had the pleasure to welcome the leaders and officers of the joint naval exercises which was indeed very exciting and historical.

President Thabo Mbeki arrives in Harare. Harare- South African President Thabo Mbeki today, Friday 9 May 2008 arrived in Harare ahead of a scheduled interaction with the Zimbabwean political leadership within his mandate as the SADC Facilitator.

President Thabo Mbeki to visit Zimbabwe, Friday 9 May 2008. Pretoria – South African President Thabo Mbeki will tomorrow, Friday 9 May 2008 travel to Harare, Zimbabwe to interact with the Zimbabwean political leadership within the context of his mandate as SADC Facilitator.

President Thabo Mbeki congratulates Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Pretoria – South African President Thabo Mbeki today Thursday 8 May 2008 extended the heartfelt congratulations for the South African government and people to the newly appointed President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev.

Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s Remarks on the occasion of the Official Opening of the State Protocol Lounge, OR Tambo International Airport, 8 May 2008. It is indeed a privilege to be accorded the honour of officially opening this State Protocol Lounge located in an airport whose name, conjures memories of the great heroism of our people in the bitter struggle against apartheid –which the world had condemned as a heresy and a crime against humanity.

South Africa extends condolences to Myanmar following Cyclone Disaster. Pretoria- The South African government joins the international community in extending its condolences to the people of Myanmar following the devastating cyclone over the weekend which resulted in over 20 000 people dead and destruction of property and infrastructure.

Remarks by President Mbeki at the Opening of the South Africa-Qatar Business Forum, Doha, Qatar, 7 May 2008. Thank you very much indeed to everybody who is here, to the members of the Qatar Business Community and the visiting South African Business Delegation. I am very glad indeed that we have an opportunity to interact in the manner in which we are interacting.

President Thabo Mbeki Extends Condolences to South Sudan Following Plane crash. South African President Thabo Mbeki, today Monday 5 May 2008, telephonically extended South Africa’s condolences to Sudan’s First Vice President and President of South Sudan Salva Kirr, the government and people of South Sudan following a plane crash over the weekend in which 21 people died.

President Mbeki to pay State Visit to Qatar. South African President and Mrs Thabo Mbeki will on Monday 5 May 2008 depart for Doha, Qatar where he is scheduled to pay a State Visit from Tuesday – Wednesday 6-7 May 2008. President Thabo Mbeki’s delegation is expected to include, among others, Ministers Mosiuoa Lekota, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Buyelwa Sonjica, Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad and South Africa’s Ambassador to Qatar Vincent Zulu.

Minister Dlamini Zuma to lead South African Delegation to African Union Executive Council Meeting. South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will today Sunday 4 May 2008 depart for Arusha, Tanzania where she will lead a senior South African government delegation to a Meeting of the African Union Executive Council scheduled from Tuesday – Wednesday 6 -7 May 2008.

Statement by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa, Mr Aziz Pahad to the 8Tth IOR-ARC Meeting in Tehran, Iran on 4 May 2008. I wish to thank the Islamic Republic of Iran for the excellent hospitality  and organisation of this meeting. I wish to also congratulate Minister Motaki for his leadership of the IOR-ARC over the last three years.

Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad to lead South African Delegation to IOR-ARC Meeting. South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad will lead the South African government delegation to the 8th Council of Ministers Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC) in Tehran, Iran scheduled from Sunday - Monday 4-5 May 2008.