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STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT MBEKI'S VISIT TO QATAR, 12-13 NOVEMBER 2000
At the invitation of His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Emir of the State of Qatar, President Thabo Mbeki has accepted to attend and address the opening of the Ninth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Doha, Qatar, on 12 November 2000.
The President has been invited in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Non-Aligned Movement. He will be accompanied by Mrs Mbeki, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma and senior Presidential advisers.
During his visit, President Mbeki will hold discussions with His Highness the Emir of Qatar as well as other leaders from the 55 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Conferences. It is expected that the primary focus of the Summit will be the current dangerous Middle East Crisis with special focus on the issue of Jerusalem. The possible declaration of Palestine statehood, debt relief, poverty alleviation and the escalating international oil price with it's impact on the economies of Africa and developing countries. In general there are other issues which will be of concern to the Summit participants.
Contact: Nazeem Mahatey on 082 376 3820
Issued by: The Presidency, 8 November 2000