Letter to the Editor
The Business Day
Via email: [email protected]
Dear Sir:
President Zuma’s January 8 statement to the ANC’s 99th Year Celebrations gathering in Polokwane placed the necessary and positive emphasis on almost all the points he addressed. What is now left is the actualization of these areas. The statement itself embodied the fundamental socioeconomic principles that should form the basis and the hallmark of a dynamic long term National plan, and the National Planning Commission should seize this opportunity.
Although the President views the invitation of South Africa to join BRIC in a positive light, nevertheless this relationship is going to require closer scrutiny and perceptive vigilance. It should not be allowed to resemble the analogy where the spider invites the fly into his (spider) comfortable parlour. As it can and must be expected, once inside, the unsuspecting fly became a meal for the cunning spider. The existing global economic paradigm is such that the nations with stronger economic muscle will always author the rules of international trade at the detriment of the peoples of the developing countries.
Regarding the Middle East Question, South Africa should single-mindedly pursue peace and unity between the warring Palestinian leaders and factions, and refrain from dissipating limited diplomatic resources on the aspect of the conflict that the Quartet led-by the former Prime Minster of Britain, Mr Tony Blair is focusing on.
Finally, support for Cuba should not end with political pronouncements, but South Africa should urgently open political dialogue with the United States on the specific matter of lifting the economic embargo placed on Cuba. Such an agenda should obviously consider the rights and the future of the Cuban exiles and those languishing in prison on both sides. This way South Africa would be employing diplomatic language which the US Administration understands well, that of Constructive Engagement.
By: Ben Moleeane Skosana IFP MP
House Chairperson in National Assembly RSA Parliament
Cape Town
Tel: 021 403 3075
e-mail: [email protected]
