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The Cabinet held its regular fortnightly meeting in Tuynhuys, Cape Town, discussing in the main reports from the Cabinet Committees.

The Cabinet received a report on the outcome of negotiations in the World Trade Organisation to liberalise telecommunications services and approved the submission of the schedule of commitments on basic telecommunications to Parliament for ratification.

The Cabinet received a report on the Abuja Treaty which provides for the establishment of the African Economic Community and approved South Africa's accession to the Abuja Treaty and membership of the African Economic Community.

The Cabinet received a report on a bilateral agreement between the Governments of South Africa and Botswana on the recognition of the Kalahari Transfrontier Park and approved that the agreement be signed.

The Cabinet received a report on the Pan African News Agency (PANA), a specialised news agency of the Organisation of African Unity and approved South Africa's affiliation to the Pan African News Agency.

The Cabinet received a report on the El Nino Weather Phenomenon and approved that the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Disaster Management co-ordinate the activities of the Government with regard to the phenomenon.

The Cabinet approved the persons proposed by the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology to serve on the Council of the Robben Island Museum.

The Cabinet also considered a number of Bills and international Conventions and approved that those listed below be submitted to Parliament during the current session:

1. Wine and Spirit Control Amendment Bill, 1997;
2. Agricultural Product Standards Amendment Bill, 1997;
3. 1988 Protocol to amend the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974;
4. 1988 Protocol to amend the International Convention on Load-Lines, 1966;
5. Athens Convention relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974; and the 1976 and 1990 Protocols to amend the Convention;
6. Carriage of Passengers and Luggage by Sea Bill, 1997;
7. Stock Exchanges Control Amendment Bill, 1997;
8. Financial Markets Control Amendment Bill, 1997;
9. Unit Trusts Control Amendment Bill, 1997;
10. Financial and Fiscal Commission Bill, 1997;
11. Financial and Fiscal Commission 1993; Constitutional Provision Repeal Bill, 1997;
12. Estate Agents Second Amendment Bill, 1997; and
13. Basic Condition of Employment Bill, 1997.

More information on these matters is available from the appropriate Ministry and/or Department.

Secretary of the Cabinet

Issued by: Office of the President

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