The ANC welcomes the decision by the Swiss Government not to proceed with delivery of the Pilatus trainer aircraft to the present-day South African government until 1995 when a new democratic government will be in place.

The ANC has held discussions with the relevant parties in Switzerland and South Africa with a view to resolving the crises. The ANC did so taking both the interests of the country and the UN Security Council decisions on the arms embargo into account.

In both instances, the ANC had registered its rejection of the unilateral manner in which the South African government had approached the issue, both with regard to the sale and delivery of the trainer aircrafts to the country.

The ANC maintains that any sale or delivery of the Pilatus trainer aircrafts to the present-day government will be in total violation of the UN Security Council resolutions 418 of 1977 and 591 of 1986 on arms embargo against South Africa.

The resolutions forbid member states from exporting items destined for the military and the police or engaging in activities which might increase the military capacity of the South African government.

It was in this context, that the ANC warned that should the sale and delivery of the trainer aircraft to the current government proceed, a future government will not be expected to assume financial responsibility thereof.

However, it is important to note that the UN Security Council arms embargo against South Africa are aimed at ensuring that no country arms the apartheid regime. As soon as a new government is in place, the legitimacy of the sale and delivery of these trainer aircraft will therefore not arise.

The ANC will continue to discuss the matter with relevant parties to ensure strict adherence to the UN Security Council decisions on the arms embargo.

Issued by: Department of Information and Publicity
P O Box 61884,
Marshalltown
2107
2 June 1993