NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION NO. 31

FOR ORAL REPLY

DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 1 MARCH 2005

(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO: 6-2005)

FOR ORAL REPLY IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON: 9 MARCH 2005 

                                                                                                                                    N349E 

Adv PS Swart (DA) to ask the Minister for Intelligence: 

Whether international terrorism poses a credible threat to the SADC region; if not, why not; if so, what is the nature of this threat?

REPLY:

International terrorism is a global phenomenon and no country can claim to be immune from its threats and dangers.  Whilst most SADC states have not experienced any direct  terrorist  operations linked to the international nature of the phenomenon, the US embassy in Tanzania was the target of an attack in 1998, as was  the US embassy in Kenya, resulting in hundred of local civilian casualties.

Given the current global situation which has seen international terrorism spreading, it clearly follows that the threat exists to the institutions of many foreign countries within the SADC region.  Consequently, the intelligence and security organs of the SADC region are alert to possible threats and are involved in a high level of co-operation.   South Africa has been leading by example with regard to collaboration both within the region and further afield.   Our announcement in October 2004 of the creation of a National Intelligence Agency Counter-Terrorism Centre is an indication of the vital importance with which we view international cooperation with regional and foreign services in the successful execution of our counter-terrorism mandate.

Several states in the SADC region have become aware, owing to this counter-terrorist collaboration, of individuals with international terrorist connections, attempting to use their territories as safe havens or transit routes.  There have been some indications of fund-raising and recruitment.  Successful actions by the authorities have resulted in the disruption of such activity and experiences are being shared by the services concerned.

It is of course hoped that such successes will prevail, but we do not expect the threat to disappear in the foreseeable future.