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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Why is S. Africa helping Iran? |
| 2005-12-06 |
| In August 2004 South African Defense Minister Patrick "Terror" Lekota and his Iranian counterpart, Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, met in Teheran to discuss an expansion of mutual cooperation between the two countries, especially in the domain of defense. Lekota's visit to Iran was the first such visit by a South African defense minister since the Iranian revolution in 1979. At the conclusion of the meeting the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation. Israel's Channel 1 reported that the understanding included an arrangement for South Africa to sell uranium to Iran, a claim rejected by the SA Ministry of Defense. The ministry, however, would not comment on the particulars of the Memorandum of Understanding, nor would it say if Iran had made a request to buy uranium from South Africa. Professor Hussein Solomon, Director of the Center for International Political Studies at the University of Pretoria, believes that South Africa's nuclear assistance to Iran revolves around three issues: The first is that South Africa intends to create its own civilian nuclear program and, to the extent that Iran is prevented from developing its own ostensibly civilian nuclear program, Pretoria feels that it might negatively impact South Africa's plans. "Personally I think if this is true it is stupid on account of the historical record of Teheran's lies as well as the volatility of the Middle East region vis-a-vis Southern Africa. In addition people who threaten to wipe other countries off the map should not have nuclear weapons," Solomon told The Jerusalem Post in an e-mail exchange from Pretoria. The second issue is that South Africa may also be interested in resuscitating the old Non-Aligned Movement bloc with players like China, and possibly even Russia and Brazil, to counter perceived US hegemony and unilateralism. Indeed, China and Pakistan have also made overtures to Iran, which point to destabilization and undermining of US positioning in the region. Finally, Solomon believes that there have been stronger relations developing for some years between the Iranian elite and the ruling African National Congress elite. "This will grow stronger as SA searches for more energy resources," Solomon said. South Africa has a domestic nuclear energy and research program as well as large natural deposits of uranium. During the apartheid era South Africa had a covert nuclear weapons program that developed at least six nuclear warheads, along with a variety of missiles and other conventional weapons. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #7 What is really sad is that the ANC and Mandela actually acted like they had a brain back in 1994 when they were given power by the SA political establishment. Unfortunately, Mbeki is a total loser and seems intent on destroying what is left of the developed parts of South Africa. |
| Posted by: Shieldwolf 2005-12-06 22:03 |
| #6 Folks may not care, but that does not mean they will travel to south africa or invest in south africa. As the leader of South Africa looks fondly at the policies of Zimbabwae and those with money around the world notice. |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2005-12-06 18:13 |
| #5 Is that you RhodesiaFever? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-12-06 17:54 |
| #4 The bitterly sad and totally disgusting commentary is while the US was tied up elsewhere during the "Cold War" the South African Defense Force (SADF) defeated Castro and his thugs in Angola and elsewhere in Africa. From a non-trivial historical perspective, the SADF, Kewi's, Ozzies, and Rhodesians lost a significantly disproportionate number of men supporting the allies during WWII as well. We, along with the frigging Poms, have forgotten all that of course. Instead of helping SA and thanking them for their sacrifices and keeping Castro out of Africa, we've aligned ourselves with the kaffir tribalists, wagged our fingers and embargoed both Rhodesia and South Africa for their white Aparthied regimes (government). Any notion of civilization has long since vaporized from Rhodesia and the same is taking place further south. As for the muzzie alliances currently being made by SA and the ANC we have no one to blame but ourselves. Had we supported a few white men, all this would have never taken place. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2005-12-06 15:54 |
| #3 As far at the threatening white farmers part goes, rjschwarz, nobody cares. Hell, many American liberals support it as "just deserts." |
| Posted by: Secret Master 2005-12-06 15:21 |
| #2 Answer D is nobody else is likely to invest or deal with either country despite their massive mineral/oil wealth because of their idiot governments (threatening neighbors, threatening white farmers). |
| Posted by: rjschwarz 2005-12-06 14:26 |
| #1 Answer B: The second issue is that South Africa may also be interested in resuscitating the old Non-Aligned Movement bloc with players like China, and possibly even Russia and Brazil, to counter perceived US hegemony and unilateralism. Indeed, China and Pakistan have also made overtures to Iran, which point to destabilization and undermining of US positioning in the region. Answer C:that there have been stronger relations developing for some years between the Iranian elite and the ruling African National Congress elite. "This will grow stronger as SA searches for more energy resources," While an admittedly careless use of the term "elite", both B and C are correct. The SA arms industry has much to gain as well. The Armscor G-5 and G-6 towed howitzers were a big hit in both Iraq and Iran in the early 1990's. The "New Government of Unity" (ANC) toyed with idea of dismantling the nasty old Aparthied defense industry, but after a quick look at the books and some encouragement from friends, mentors, and advisors in the FSU, decided to not only retain, but expand the customer base with the caveat and meaningless promise "arms would not be sold to countries that threatened war with their neighbors." I think we might as well get over it, the West has few friends in Africa, north or south. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2005-12-06 13:54 |