Opposition warns about safety of S.African troops in Liberia
DA spokesperson on defence, Roy Jankielsohn, noting that the warring factions had continued to violate the ceasefire despite former President Charles Taylor's going into exile, said the safety of South African troops must be taken into account to avoid casualties.
He also asked government to consider the costs involved in sending troops to Liberia and the human resources capacity of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
"We should not send a peacekeeping mission to Liberia if there is no peace to keep," Jankielsohn said in a statement.
He said his party was aware of the "unrealistic expectations" of South Africa's potential role, and expressed concern that the deployment of troops was being considered with apparent disregard for policy provisions.
"We are extremely concerned that the Executive does not consider it necessary that its actions, and its views on South Africa's best security and national interests be explained and debated in Parliament.
"President (Thabo) Mbeki has a duty to not only inform Parliament of decisions relating to foreign deployments, but to allow such decisions to be discussed by the relevant committees and if necessary debated in the National Assembly," Jankielsohn charged.
According to him, South African is already spending some 29 million rand per month in allowances alone for its troops deployed in Burundi and DR Congo. (8rand = 1USD).
Jankielsohn said that indications were that Liberia could turn into a long-term deployment due to the complicated domestic political situation.
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15 Août 2003 à 11:18 dans
- zsandf (anglais)
