adminEmerging from talks with Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Clinton said the two countries need to enhance cooperation in tackling tough issues such as nuclear proliferation, climate change, security crises, the situations in DRC and Syria.
“We do not always see eye to eye on these issues. I don’t know if people always do and certainly not two nations. Sometimes we will disagree as friends do,” Clinton said in an apparent attempt to downplay the differences.
Although she did not give details, some differences are obvious, notably, the disagreement between the two countries on ways to deal with the Syrian crisis.
Last month, South Africa abstained from voting on the latest UN Security Council resolution sponsored by the US, calling the document “one-sided”.
The resolution would only make the situation on the ground worse, pushing the Syrian government to further pressure the military option and emboldening the opposition to continue to reject talks, the South African government said.
Clinton acknowledged that on certain issues, the US and South Africa often differ on the path to take to achieve desired results.
But she said the two countries almost always have similar objectives on international situations.
“We are looking for ways to enhance and deepen our partnership. South Africa has so much to offer to the rest of the world,” she said, while urging Pretoria to play a leading role in the global affairs.
Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa attached importance to its relations with the US “in the context of northsouth relations”.
“I believe as partners on the continent we can do more about stability and the ways we are going to foster security, economic growth and development,” she said.She paid tribute to Clinton for her “personal commitment to elevate this relationship”.
Nkoana-Mashabane said at the South Africa-US Business Partnership Meeting prior to her meeting with Clinton that the US continues to be one of the major contributors to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and is also a major contributor to Corporate Social Investment in South Africa.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s next generation of leaders should honour the legacy of former president Nelson Mandela by promoting democratic values around the world, Clinton said yesterday.
Clinton, speaking two days after visiting the 94-year-old Mandela, said South Africa’s legacy of peacefully overturning apartheid brought with it responsibilities.
“Few countries on this continent can carry as much weight or be such effective partners and leaders as South Africa,” Clinton told university students in Cape Town, in a speech billed as the centrepiece of an 11-day Africa tour. “You are a democratic power with the opportunity to influence Africa and the world.”
Clinton’s speech was a strong call for South Africa to do more on everything from promoting economic development to solving global challenges, such as Syria’s bloody crisis or the impasse over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Peppering her remarks with personal reminiscences of Mandela, Clinton tried to underscore that South Africa’s own democratic values called it to greater action. “I do believe because of your history, South Africa has an obligation to be a constructive force in the international community — just as the United States does,” she said. — Sapa.
Online Reporter