Hon House Chairperson, the NFP welcomes the report of the Department of the International Relations and Co- operation.
Hon Minister, allow me to congratulate you on your appointment as Minister and I am quite certain that this department is now in very good hands.
Minister, let me start off by talking about our participation in some of the international structures and one structure is Southern African Development Community, SADC, Parliamentary Forum. Now, SADC has two sides to it, one is the heads of States and SADC Parliamentary Forum. And I think it's one of the matters that you need to look at whether it is really serving the intended purpose that is ... we spend a lot of money, we go there twice a year to the different parts of the region and we need to look at whether it's really serving the interest of our
people particular in the country and in the region. So, I will leave that in your good hands Minister that you look at it.
I think the issue of the leasing of the premises has been going on for many, many years and the question that arose was should we rather be purchasing these properties since they are going to be for long-term rather than leasing them? But I think your department is dealing with that issue.
The issue of Palestine, now, Chair, I don't know whether we read different dictionaries or what but when I look at the word impartial, it looks like some of us interpret it differently but I have an answer why we interpret it differently, there is only one reason and that one reason is money. So, if you get money for anything you sell your principles, you sell soul, you sell values, you sell everything. [Interjections.] So, you can't be impartial that is clearly what it is.
Now, look at this one, you come there, you take over something that it is not yours, you violate the human rights of these people and you telling me I must be impartial, I don't
understand this. So, to be honest with you, some of these people need to go back and search their souls but let me tell you where it comes from. Those who that were privileged during the days of oppression in South Africa and were part and parcel of the oppressors will never understand what the Palestinian people go through.
We as the NFP say anyone, anywhere in the world, must not be allowed to be oppressed.
I hear lot of words about China and yes indeed we must be mindful of China and what they can do. But why is it I don't hear the same of the greatest monster on earth and that is the United State of America? [Applause.] Where there is no peace in the world because of the United States of America. Wherever there's trouble it's the United States, whether there's diseases there's United States, where there's war there's the United States, but nobody wants to say anything; and they talk about impartiality. Now, this is a sick joke as far as I am concerned. I think they need to have their heads read.
The NFP fully supports you Minister and your entire team and congratulates you on the work that you do. Thank you very much. [Applause.]