President Jacob Zuma welcomed his Dutch counterpart‚ Prime Minister Mark Rutte‚ to South Africa today‚ and in the process fired off a few barbs against the West.
The Netherlands premier is on a lightning visit to South Africa‚ in planned two-day visit that was cut to one day because of the events in Paris.
Speaking at an official reception at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria‚ Zuma said he was honoured to receive the Dutch premier “especially given the history of solidarity between our two countries. The Netherlands was one of the strongest allies of the oppressed people in South Africa during the struggle for liberation.”
He listed several examples of support from the people of the Netherlands during the struggle against apartheid‚ and said: “Given this deep history of solidarity in fighting a system that was declared a crime against humanity‚ we are enjoined to build stronger bilateral relations between our two countries.”
“Next year your country will lead the EU. We look forward to working with the Netherlands in that capacity as we enhance South Africa-EU relations‚” said Zuma.
Zuma then turned to the attacks in Paris‚ and emphasised that areas in Africa and the Middle East had also been attacked‚ hinting that world attention had been focused on Paris when Lebanon had suffered an equally serious attack.
“Earlier we discussed the horrific terror attacks in Paris. Another senseless attack occurred in Beirut in Lebanon while Ankara in Turkey has also been hit by terror attacks. Countries in the Middle East and in our continent — for example Nigeria and Kenya — have experienced the callous attacks as well.”
Zuma then commented on interference from the West in the affairs of former colonised countries.
“Our belief is that interference in some countries in the Middle East and North Africa‚ coupled with the use of military force to solve problems‚ continues to cause instability and endless conflict.”
Zuma condemns Western 'interference' and military strategy
The Netherlands premier is on a lightning visit to South Africa‚ in planned two-day visit that was cut to one day because of the events in Paris.
Speaking at an official reception at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria‚ Zuma said he was honoured to receive the Dutch premier “especially given the history of solidarity between our two countries. The Netherlands was one of the strongest allies of the oppressed people in South Africa during the struggle for liberation.”
He listed several examples of support from the people of the Netherlands during the struggle against apartheid‚ and said: “Given this deep history of solidarity in fighting a system that was declared a crime against humanity‚ we are enjoined to build stronger bilateral relations between our two countries.”
“Next year your country will lead the EU. We look forward to working with the Netherlands in that capacity as we enhance South Africa-EU relations‚” said Zuma.
Zuma then turned to the attacks in Paris‚ and emphasised that areas in Africa and the Middle East had also been attacked‚ hinting that world attention had been focused on Paris when Lebanon had suffered an equally serious attack.
“Earlier we discussed the horrific terror attacks in Paris. Another senseless attack occurred in Beirut in Lebanon while Ankara in Turkey has also been hit by terror attacks. Countries in the Middle East and in our continent — for example Nigeria and Kenya — have experienced the callous attacks as well.”
Zuma then commented on interference from the West in the affairs of former colonised countries.
“Our belief is that interference in some countries in the Middle East and North Africa‚ coupled with the use of military force to solve problems‚ continues to cause instability and endless conflict.”
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