The South Africa Iran Nuclear Nexus

The genocidal regime in Teheran getting its hands on weapons of mass destruction is arguably the greatest threat facing international peace and security. Most responsible nations have over the last few years expended much effort in trying to prevent this doomsday scenario. But South Africa has adopted a different approach. It has consistently sought to strengthen its ties with Iran: defending its ‘right’ to nuclear technology and even allegedly offering to supply it with uranium.

South Africa is no nuclear light weight. It has the world’s fourth-largest uranium reserves and significant experience in fuel production. It sits on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors, occupies a temporary seat on the UN Security Council and will be the next chair of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. There is no doubt that given these credentials South Africa could have a significant influence on the ability of the international community to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Unfortunately however, South Africa has been a staunch supporter of Iran’s bid to develop its nuclear infrastructure seeing it as part of a greater struggle against ‘Western imperialism’. South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad encapsulated this position in August 2006 when he asserted that the international reaction to the Iranian nuclear program was the result of ‘…the inherent discriminatory nature of the (Nuclear Non-proliferation) treaty, which created two distinct groups: the haves and the have-nots.” (source)

But South Africa has gone much further than merely defending Iran’s right to develop nuclear technology. It has in fact sought to strengthen its relationship with the Islamic Republic to the extent that it is fast becoming a key member of the broader anti-Western totalitarian camp.

An article entitled "Shoring Up a Crucial Bridge: South Africa’s Pressing Nuclear Choices" in the Jan/Feb 2007 edition of the Arms Control Association describes our developing ties with Iran

In May 2006, South African officials and the foreign ministers of Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Syria, and Venezuela met with Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki. Afterward, South African Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe spoke of stronger ties to Iran, particularly within the NAM framework, adding that Iran has been instrumental in providing regional stability. After the meeting, Mottaki stated that, “[g]iven that today NAM member states more than ever have commonalities in the international scene, their coordination and close cooperation can create a powerful movement in the world.” In August 2006, bilateral cooperation was strengthened when Mottaki met with a number of South African government officials, including Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry Buyelwa Sonjica, Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa, and Minister of Science and Technology Mosibudi Mangena.

An important part of this South African-Iranian alliance is nuclear cooperation.

During the 61st annual session of the UN General Assembly in September 2006, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Mbeki discussed points for strengthening bilateral relations in various fields, including the nuclear field. South Africa may have also offered to transfer natural uranium to Iran for use in its program, although there is no indication that any such deal has been concluded. So concerned was the United States with these developments that it sent Gregory Schulte, its ambassador to the IAEA, to South Africa to urge it to take a stricter stance on Iran’s nuclear issue.

A nuclear armed Iran presents an existential threat to the Jewish state and a serious challenge to freedom around the world. As South Africans we can’t allow our government to contribute to this peril.

Comments

[Lawrence]

no suprises here, another reason for this co-operation is a shared enemy - the Jews. the SA government is a Nazi government. No getting round it.

have not posted up at IAS for months, but I will fill you in on some things. I am in Israel for now and am right on the border with Lebanon as I type this, I don't mean near the border, I mean practically on top of it. And things are hotting up with Hezbollah, they are establishing more outposts, (flying their flags) right here on the border, while the UN does less than nothing, they have planted bombs on the border road near where I stay, and there is as I type this an IDF operation underway right here, I can hear their helicopters overhead, non-stop for the last hour, (it is 10:47 PM Israeli time) more soldiers arriving near here, Hezbollah are watching every move of the IDF, we can see them and they can see us....

[Gary]

"South African Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe spoke of stronger ties to Iran, particularly within the NAM framework, adding that Iran has been instrumental in providing regional stability."
What exactly have they done to provide regional security-support terror by Hezbollah and Hamas, build nuclear weapons and threaten to anihilate another nation?
And SA's sick Satanic government then accuse Israel of threatening world peace when Israel defends itself.
Sick,sick, sick...

[Mike]

Lawrence I just read about what u wrote in jpost.

If you would like to do a detailed article about it. We would love to publish it on IAS.

Is there still stuff going on? Has it been tense there for a while?

[Al]

President Ahmadinejad's real views are summarized on this website: ahmadinejadquotes.blogspot.com

[Lawrence]

Hi Mike, yeah it's been tense for the last few weeks especially. As for the offer re the article, I don't think I personally have enough information to write an article for now, but we'll see what the future holds in store.

[Nathan Wolfberg]

Its funny how the holocaust survivors have become worse than the nazis. You are a sick people. The SA govt governs in a just manner as compared to Israel. Remember the circle of life.