G8’s Commitment Towards Africa: Foreign Affairs Department briefing
International Relations
05 March 2008
Chairperson: Mr J Sithole (ANC)
Meeting Summary
The Department of Foreign Affairs gave a brief explanation of the history of the G8 and how it had evolved since its inception. The road toward the 2008 G8 summit in
Meeting report
Preliminary issues
Mr T Leon (DA) raised the issue of documents, saying that once again he had only received the documents for today’s present meeting on that morning.
The Chairperson replied that the Director-General had indicated that there was a misunderstanding between the Department and Parliament as to when documents had to be with Parliament. This issue was consistently raised and would have to be discussed with the Director-General.
The Chairperson noted that he had received a letter from Mr T Leon requesting a briefing on
G8 Commitment towards Africa presentation: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) briefing
Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Deputy Director-General: Asia and Middle East: Department of Foreign Affairs, gave an overview of the linkages between
The dynamics of the G5 were explained. G5 had not been formally invited. They key issues were efforts to avert G5 institutionalisation, and marginalisation of the Heiligendamm Process. There was resistance to G5 demands for inclusiveness in G8. There were calls for a G13. Although the form was not important, it must have meaningful engagement based on equality, partnership and mutual respect.
In conclusion
Discussion
Mr Leon asked what was the core function of the G8, given the context of the world economy. Furthermore he wanted to know to what extent would the Africa Agenda be dealt with.
Ambassador Matjila replied that the core function of the G8 was, and had always been, macroeconomic issues. There was awareness of the uncertainties regarding the recent economic global trend.
Mr
Ambassador Matjila replied that the Doha Trade talks were important and still needed intensive attention. The
Mr M Sibande (ANC) asked what assistance was offered to ensure that exploitation of developing countries would be avoided, with regard to climate change commitments.
Ambassador Matjila replied that there were attempts to ensure that all the countries affected understood the enormity of climate change. Every country should take responsibility but commitment should be asymmetrically differentiated.
Mr Sibande noted that there was a comprehensive commitment by the G8 made towards Africa in 2005, at the Gleneagles summit, to assist
Ambassador Matjila replied that part of the agreement made was that
Mr Sibande referred to the G8 Summit that took place in
Ambassador Matjila replied that the debate shifted to assisting countries to comply with stipulated processes for the cancellation of debt. There were consultants who provided assistance, and thus far over nineteen countries had complied with the basic requirements. The amount of debt owed amounted to $40 billion and less than half had been forgiven. The post-debt forgiveness processes were also analysed as those funds were supposed to be used in social programmes in the country.
Mr Sibande asked if there was any development of the inclusion of
Ambassador Matjila replied that the issue of the G5, (
Adv Z Madasa (ANC) asked if the decisions made at the G8 summit were binding.
Ambassador Matjila replied that he was not sure whether these issues would bind the United States Congress. He felt that it was a platform to sensitise nations and attempt to work together toward a common goal. The member states in the G8 had a common interest although it was dominated by the
Adv Madasa asked if the G5 wanted membership in the G8 or did they just want the ability to influence the agenda.
Ambassador Matjila replied that their approach had been toward partnership. French President Nicolas Sarkozy and the English Prime Minister Gordon Brown had both indicated that there should be an inclusion of nations such as
Adv Madasa thought that a complicated issue was the absence of trade authority in the
Ambassador Matjila replied that because of the general elections in the
Mr M Ramgobin (ANC) commented that in order for
Ambassador Matjila replied that
Mr Ramgobin asked if
Ambassador Matjila replied that as there was a demand for debt forgiveness there should also be a monitoring mechanism in place.
Mr Ramgobin asked why the rest of the debt had not been forgiven.
Ambassador Matjila replied that there was a plea for 100% debt forgiveness. It was only
Mr Ramgobin asked if there was a possibility of an expansion of the
Ambassador Matjila replied that there was a view that there should be a G8 of the South. In the last few years
Mr M Skosana (IFP) commented that his view was the United Nations Security Council had a similar outlook as that of the G8. Their outlook was mainly centred on international power and security, whether it was through military intervention, or the strength of their economy, or through political dominance. He thought this was the reason that the G8 nations did not find the decisions made at the summits binding. The South-South dialogue would be an answer to that sort of resistance.
Mr Skosana thought that there was tendency not to see that domestic policy had a bearing on foreign policy. For instance the issue with Eskom and the lack of electricity, and the post-Polokwane events could lead to fluidity and instability in the economic system, and then the regional economic system and ultimately the global economic system could also be affected.
The Chairperson felt that it was a comment that Members had to engage on and that it was a provocative statement. It dealt with the issue of whether or not democracy in the country was underwritten by events that had happened.
The Chairperson agreed that the Committee was concerned with the content. However sometimes the content was shaped by the format. The format could cause the content to be derailed. Another concept that caused concern was the fact that debt-ridden countries should beg for debt forgiveness. It gave the impression that they had committed a wrongful act by borrowing and therefore should ask forgiveness from the developed countries.
The Chairperson suggested that the AFRICOM and IBSA reports be deferred to next meeting.
The Chairperson insisted that reports were given to the Committee in a timeous manner. He also insisted that political accounting officers should be present at all meetings. If they were unable to attend then the Committee should receive an apology.
The Chairperson adjourned the meeting.
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