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South Africa's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, arrived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today, Friday, 21 February 2003, where she is expected to chair the Ministerial Session of the XIIIth Non-Aligned Summit, before South Africa hands over the baton of leadership of the Movement to Malaysia. President Thabo Mbeki who has just concluded his visit to France where he attended the Franco-Africa Summit from 20-21 February 2003 will lead the South African delegation.

The NAM Summit is expected to discuss the role and challenges facing the Movement in the 21century, the Middle East Conflict and efforts aimed at averting war against Iraq.In this regard, and during the senior NAM officials meeting held on Thursday 20 February, South Africa's Acting Director General, for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Abdul Minty articulated South Africa's anti - warp osition on Iraq and by the end of the first day of the senior officials meeting, consensus was reached on the need for the Non - Aligned Movement (NAM) to send a clear message that war was not a solution to conflicts.

The meeting of senior NAM officials convened before the Ministerial meeting, delved into a deep discussion of the Iraqi situation, which will be spelt out in the Statement of the X111th Non - Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.

Setting the tone for the Summit, Mr Abdul Minty indicated that "When South Africa took over the chairpersonship of the 47 year old movement, it had identified poverty as the biggest threat to global society " .

Elaborating on the further challenges of NAM, Mr Minty said that under the able leadership of President Thabo Mbeki "NAM has since succeeded in developing dialogue and a coherent agenda with leaders of the G - 8 to address the issues on poverty, globalisation and economic development" Of late, the role of NAM has taken a more strategic role under the leadership of South Africa when for the first time in the history of the United Nations Security Council, it urged this body to have an open debate on any resolution on war against Iraq led by South Africa's representative to the United Nations(UN).

South Africa indicated that "the Security Council did not only agree to our request (South Africa), but also allowed the inspectors to present the report on weapons inspection in an open meeting before presenting it to them" coinciding with President Mbeki's state of the nation address on Friday, the 14th February.

The senior officials will today, Friday the 21st February 2003 finalise a report that will be tabled at the Ministerial meeting currently being chaired by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini - Zuma in her capacity as chairperson of the NAM Ministerial meeting.

For more information, contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853, Nomfanelo Kota at 082 377 7208

Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs

21st February 2003