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YOUR EXCELLENCIES THE PRIME MINISTERS OF BOTSWANA AND LESOTHO

HONOURABLE MINISTERS

DISTINGUISHED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DEFENCE INDUSTRY

COMMANDERS OF ARMED FORCES

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

1. On behalf of the President of South Africa, the Ministry of Defence and all of South Africa I extend to our foreign guests a warm welcome to DEXSA 98.

2. You grace us with your presence here today at this, our third Defence Exposition.

3. The birth of our new democracy four years ago has opened the doors of our country to the world and has allowed us to resume our place in the international community of nations.

4. It therefore fills me with great pride to see the extent of interest in DEXSA - as witnessed by your participation. And in this regard we would like to extend a special welcome to the representatives of international industry participating at DEXSA.

5. This is the first time that we have had international participation.

6. We have no fewer than 19 countries participating from all over the world, 220 companies and guests from no fewer than 80 countries here today. This is a wonderful start to our truly international show.

7. Armscor, the organizer of this exposition has just celebrated its 50th anniversary with the slogan - 50 Years of Excellence.

8. The theme of the exposition this year - EXCELLENCE THROUGH EXPERIENCE - aptly reflects our desire to present a showcase of international efforts and achievements to the world.

9. With the advent of democracy in our country we can at last tap all the potential of our greatest resource - our human resource - our people.

10. Our Rainbow nation now draws on the skills and experience of all to strive for the national excellence which is our goal.

11. This is particularly true of in the field of Defence.

12. As South Africans we can be proud that we are transforming Defence from formerly antagonistic forces into a single legitimate and credible institution of state - representative of all our citizens and a potent symbol of reconciliation and unity.

13. Furthermore, our democracy has resolved that Defence shall be a truly national effort for the protection of sovereignty, territory and people.

14. Our Government takes great pride in the fact that the policy articulated and given detail in the White Paper and National Defence Review process is the product of the most extensive, inclusive and transparent consultation with our people in the history of our country.

15. As such we can state with certainty that Government and people are unequivocal in their commitment to Defence in a Democracy.

16. We are committed to defending our hard won freedom - in an unpredictable world and, particularly, in a region in the throes of conflict.

17. We see our arms industry as integral to our right of self-defence.

18. As President Mandela stated when he opened DEXSA 94:

"Arms are for the purpose of defending the sovereignty and integrity of a country.

From that angle there is nothing wrong in having a trade in arms."

19. We have established a responsible arms industry in our country and an efficient and effective system to regulate the export and import of Defence-related equipment.

20. Defence, by guaranteeing stability, lays a firm foundation for a confident and secure future, and is therefore part of our new national vision.

21. The expertise which has been built up and the products which have been developed and produced have enabled South Africa to become a global player in the field of defence.

22. We have been recognised as being leaders in certain fields such as artillery, avionics, and communications and, more importantly today, in more humanitarian roles such as mine detection and demining operations.

23. Our expertise, research and development, state-of-the-art technology and skills are acknowledged by international defence companies.

24. Through this recognition opportunities exist for us to develop partnerships with world-class manufacturers and suppliers.

25. Global competition is such today that no country can stand alone. We have already witnessed a number of mergers and joint ventures between South African and international companies and this exposition may see the further development of this very important aspect.

26. Investment in South Africa by the international community, associated with Industrial Participation, in fulfilling the requirements of our National Defence Force will be a huge boost to our economy and people of South Africa.

27. As regards the Government-to-Government packages, I have stated before that I am hopeful of getting a decision from Cabinet before the end of November. I am sparing no effort to achieve this target.

28. We look forward to discovering what the international defence industries have to offer us and we also look forward to forging new partnerships in the future which will be to our mutual benefit.

29. DEXSA not only offers opportunities to the international community but also to our neighbours and the South African Development Community countries, who are also present today.

30. We welcome and acknowledge their support and believe that they too will benefit from international mergers resulting from this exposition.

31. DEXSA 98 stands to become the stepping stone to fulfilling the vision of an African Renaissance.

32. Apart from the wonderful static displays, we are indebted to those who will be demonstrating their equipment. It is the combination of both human ability and technology that leads to the success of any exposition. It is these demonstrations that draw the crowds and they will be the highlights of the open days.

33. We realize that this is a costly exercise and express sincere appreciation to you for your contribution.

34. Another highlight of our programme will be the handover of the first production model of the Rooivalk attack helicopter to the South African Air Force.

35. It is most fitting that this handover takes place at DEXSA, and we are confident that this will lead to international sales of this most impressive aircraft.

36. DEXSA '98 may well be the last exposition in its present form.

37. Some of you have also participated at another event on the South African exhibition calender, namely, Aerospace Africa.

38. We are looking at the possibility of combining these two events in the future. Planning is underway to organise such a joint exposition in the year 2000.

39. Thus, the year 200 will be marked by a new and even better defence and commercial exhibition in South Africa. This will also coincide with the South African Air Force's eightieth anniversary.

40. In concluding I wish to thank you all for attending DEXSA '98. I hope that we will have the pleasure of seeing you again at the joint exposition in the year 2000.

41. Until then, may I wish you all a successful and rewarding DEXSA '98.

I NOW DECLARE THIS EXPOSITION OPEN FOR BUSINESS

THANK YOU.

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