Global Policy Forum

By Jeremy Michaels

President Thabo Mbeki has unequivocally said that South Africa is ready to take up a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. "South Africa is indeed ready to serve as a permanent member on the Security Council," Mbeki said in Kimberley on Friday. Mbeki's off-the-cuff comments are the clearest signal yet that South Africa is confident, after this week's session of the General Assembly, of securing a permanent seat on the powerful Security Council.

Fresh from the UN meeting in New York where he meted out heavy criticism of the world body, Mbeki prefaced his speech at the national Heritage Day celebrations with brief remarks clarifying South Africa's position on the seat.

"While we were there (in New York), many countries asked whether South Africa would be willing to serve as a permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations," Mbeki said. "Our government is issuing a statement today in response to all of those many questions we got in New York saying South Africa is indeed ready to serve as a permanent member on the Security Council.

"The discussions are going on about the restructuring of the Security Council and whenever the moment comes and the UN has got to take a decision on that matter, South Africa is ready to serve on that Security Council as a permanent member - to serve the people of Africa and the people of the world."

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