Letter to the Editor: Iraq
Tuesday 12 November 2002

African Christian Democratic Party spokesman on Foreign Affairs Adv. Z.L. Madasa responding to the invitation by President Saddam Husein on President Mbeki to visit Iraq today said;


The timing of the visit if undertaken during this period when Iraq has to comply with UN resolution to allow inspectors in Iraq would be very bad.

South African policy is multilateralism. Accepting such invitation may be a violation of this principle.

We also do not want to be perceived as taking active steps to defend Iraq against world opinion.

Lastly it could be that Deputy Minister of foreign affairs Mr Aziz Pahad was told by Saddam Husein that if he wanted money to fund ANC elections in 2004, Pres Mbeki must first visit Iraq, as a quid pro quo.



Adv. Z.L. Madasa MP


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For further comment please call Advocate Mighty Madasa MP at 083 3024938 or ACDP Media Liaison Wesley Douglas at 072 461 3719 or 021 403 3521