[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

Honourable Minister
Distinguished Officers in attendance
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is indeed a privilege to officiate at the opening of such an important course for the military establishments of Southern Africa.

I welcome those attending most warmly, and assure you that there is no topics of more significance to the security of our region than peacekeeping and peace support operations.

Among the general public in our various countries, there are many who ask why it is necessary to maintain effective defence forces when there is no perceived external threat?

The answer lies in that key word perception.

Those of us who have had the benefit of the advice, wisdom and foresight of professional Defence analysts and intelligence structures can see a different picture.

There are indeed threats arising from instability in our region, our continent, and in the international arena.

Let us firstly examine our own continent, and particularly our region.

At first sight, it is true that there are, at present, no apparent threats of external military aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of any State - either from within the continent or from outside sources.

However, there are a number of factors with a destabilising potential.

I would highlight the following problems which still exist, despite the efforts being made to remedy them in the political, economic and social spheres:

* Unemployment, poverty, hunger and disease exacerbating a high crime rate;
* The lack of a democratic culture in a number of countries, and the oppression of autocratic regimes which sow the seeds of civil war;
* The constant influx and burden of refugees;
* The fragile nature of certain peace initiatives and the potential for a breakdown into civil strife;
* Inter-ethnic or religious conflicts and border disputes; and
* drug smuggling and gun running.

Any one, or a combination of these threats to stability, could spill over borders and require some form of military intervention - in the shape of peacekeeping or peace support operations, together with intensified border controls.

Similarly, although the horrific threat of a global nuclear war has receded to say the least, there are still many unstable situations which could easily escalate with international repercussions.

I will mention those that I believe are the most significant, although I accept that this is not an exhaustive list:

* The tinder box in the Middle East, and the potential for another Arab-Israeli war;
* The expansion of militant ethnic and religious fundamentalism;
* The fragile nature of stability in the Balkans;
* The spread of nuclear technology;
* Disturbing advances in chemical and biological weapons;
* Terrorism and the proliferation of offensive weapons;
* The North Korean famine; and
* the China-Taiwan conflict.

Once again, any one or a combination of these potentially explosive situations, could erupt and threaten peace.

The nations of this continent would not be immune, and at the very least, we may be involved in peacekeeping or peace support operations - at the request of the OAU and the United Nations.

I am sure you will all recognise that we are bound by our commitment to the United Nations Charter.

From the analysis of the instabilities highlighted, there is a clear message that comes through, namely:

"Be Prepared!"

Whilst each of our countries will take this message to heart, and will prepare and train our respective forces in the specialised techniques required for peacekeeping and peace support operations, the real strength of our capacity to respond lies in regional co-operation.

It is here that a course of this nature plays such a vital role.

We can learn and benefit from the experience and expertise that others have to offer.

I am fully aware that Zimbabwe has participated in external operations of this nature - which is why it is so opportune that this course is being conducted at the Zimbabwe Staff College.

Joint training and joint simulated peacekeeping or peace support exercises, such as Exercise Blue Hungwe, will advance our key objectives.

Firstly, such joint activities will strengthen regional security and help to resolve the instabilities that prevail.

Secondly, we will be professionally prepared to respond to an African or international demand for a contribution to a multilateral peacekeeping or peace support force.

I assure you that the South African National Defence Force stands ready to play its part to the full - subject to the authority of our President and Parliament.

Moreover, South Africa is more than willing to offer places, on our own training courses and exercises, to participants from our regional military counterparts.

Naturally, all such efforts will be in support of other initiatives in the political, economic and social spheres.

There is a further aspect that requires emphasis.

It is indeed imperative to train our personnel to the highest standards of competence.

Nevertheless, trained personnel must be supported by the best available equipment.

We have a need, therefore, for more modern weaponry - especially for land, sea and air operations - particularly where a peace support requirement arises which demands a conventional warfare capability.

In any event, whatever the type of operation, we need equipment that is compatible with any international partners, and standardised as far as possible on a regional level.

The sophisticated South African Defence Industry could play a major role in this regard.

The third main ingredient is a sound knowledge of the international law on armed conflict which consists of two main categories, namely:

The law against war- relating to aggression and the right to resort to force;
and
The law in war - which governs the conduct of hostilities.

The latter is also referred to as international humanitarian law.

These emanate from the United Nations Charter and various Conventions and Protocols to which our countries are signatories.

In South Africa, we have determined that it is essential to include this subject in all our military courses.

Apart from any requirement related to the maintenance of peace and security, I would mention, in passing, that what is termed the subsidiary value of our armed forces, will always be in demand in times of emergency or national disasters.

Such assistance will frequently transcend national boundaries.

I would cite, as an example, the provision of humanitarian relief supplies to Rwanda, and the assistance in the case Tanzanian ferry disaster.

Finally, I would stress that success in our joint preparation and involvement in any venture, rests on effective communication - both nationally and regionally.

We must keep our own respective military members, and the members of our publics, constantly informed of developments.

In particular, and in the event of any UN or OAU commitment outside our territorial boundaries, regular communiqués will be required - to keep families of members of our defence forces, and the public at large, aware of all facets of the operations as they evolve.

With these words of introduction, I thank you again most sincerely for the honour bestowed upon me to open this course.

And I wish you every success in advancing our proficiency in this field of military endeavour.

<EOD>