RIYADH, 30 August — Saudi Arabia will participate in the United Nations World Conference Against Racism (WCAR) in South Africa, where the Middle East peace process — with special reference to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians — will top the agenda. The weeklong conference, to be opened in Durban tomorrow, will be attended by at least 15 heads of state besides UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.
The Saudi delegation, comprising senior officials from the ministries of interior and labor and social affairs, will be led by Prince Turki ibn Muhammad ibn Saud Al-Kabeer, assistant undersecretary and head of the department of international organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On the sidelines of the conference, the 22 member-Arab League will meet tomorrow to assess the Middle East situation.
Mxolisi M. Mesatywa, charge d’affaires at the South African Embassy, yesterday welcomed the Saudi participation in the conference.
Referring to the progressively growing relations, Mesatywa said that the Kingdom and South Africa are currently negotiating to conclude three major bilateral agreements including a defense accord, an investment protection treaty and an agreement to set up joint economic commission. The endorsement of these accords will further boost the relations between Riyadh and Pretoria, which have set up some 19 joint venture projects so far.
Asked about the plans to beef up South Africa’s diplomatic presence in the Gulf states, Mesatywa said that Pretoria has already set up satellite missions in Bahrain, Oman and Yemen. He, however, said that the South African Embassy in Riyadh, to be relocated to the Diplomatic Quarter in near future, controls these satellite missions where honorary consuls have been appointed.
On the commercial front, Riyadh and Pretoria have forged closer relations. Two-way trade exceeds SR1.8 billion annually with balance of trade in favor of the Kingdom.
Mesatywa further said that the visit of the mayor of Pretoria to the Kingdom, to begin on Sept. 29, will provide another opportunity to boost relations. He said that the businessmen from both countries have evinced keen interest to promote commercial relations.
About the continuing Saudi ban on South African beef and beef products, he said that he believes the ban is “about to be lifted”. Pretoria has denied allegations that its cattle are infected with mad cow disease.
