ANC Today
*United struggle against organized crime and drug trade* *Nathi Mthethwa, ANC Today, Johannesburg, 18 November 2011*On Wednesday, 2 November 2011, we started an official visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to strengthen our relationship in the war against crime, and also to retrace and reconfirm our longstanding historic relations between our countries that were forged in struggle to free our countries.
We met both the Minister of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Honourable Minister Tran Dia Quang and also the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Public Security in the Parliament of Vietnam, Honourable Mr. Nguyen Kim Khoa.
The visit was successful as concluded by the two Ministers who emphasized on speeding up and strengthening cooperation activities. The visit further consolidated the good bilateral professional ties between two Ministries and contributed significantly to the bonds between Vietnam and South Africa as reflected by both the hosts and visitors.
We also paid tribute to one of the finest revolutionary of the modern times, Uncle Ho Chi Minh - a revolutionary intellectual who taught his people never to dishonour the cause of freedom and social progress. A revolutionary, who led his people to victory under extreme odds.
We saluted the people of Vietnam for their courage and support they rendered to our struggle for freedom from the oppression and apartheid. A people of Vietnam, who through their actions said to us, no matter the difficulties you might encounter, history is on your side. They assured us of our own victory.
We reflected that it was in 1976, when the first delegation of South African revolutionaries went to Vietnam led by Comrade Yusuf Dadoo, a finest son of the soil. The second delegation led by the late President OR Tambo went to Vietnam to draw similarities between our own revolution and their experience.
This was informed by humiliating defeat the Vietnamese inflicted on the most powerful enemies in the world. In our case, we faced the most powerful enemy in the continent that we needed to defeat. We had much in common.
In April 1994, those visits paid the dividends. The assurance that we got from the people of Vietnam was realized. The African National Congress that they inspired is now governing the country and our people are free. We are thankful to the heroic people of Vietnam for their guidance and support.
We also indicated to the Vietnamese that, the African National Congress would be celebrating one hundred years of its existence in January 8, 2012 - a pioneer of similar organizations in sub-Saharan Africa. The world will gather in Mangaung to celebrate with us and we count the Vietnam amongst those who will be there.
On Thursday, 3 November 2011, we visited some historical sites in Hanoi, amongst them was the Army Museum. The museum told us a story of pain and suffering that the great people of Vietnam went through to give birth to a united country.
Both delegations observed the point that, the determination that they displayed in the past against powerful enemies, is again called upon in the war against organized crime, money laundering, Rhino poaching and drug smuggling.
We outlined our position as follows, "in dealing with these challenges, the African National Congress government, proceed from the premise that crime is a scourge that does not respect borders, with syndicates that have made the entire globe the theatre of their operations".
The vital and central task of our two governments, the African National Congress government in South Africa and the government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the intensification of the struggle against organized crime.
The challenges posed by drugs and organized crime pervades all levels of life. It is reflected in corruption, drug abuse, violence and indifference to the suffering of others, the breakdown of the family life, the crisis of morality, culture and philosophy.
The drug trade and its associated problems continue to grow in most parts of the world. Global abuse and accessibility of drugs has become increasingly complex, as trafficking routes have become shorter, more diverse and more easily traversed. The organized crime and drug trade involves growers, producers, couriers, suppliers, dealers and users and affects people in all countries. This war is being waged in a complex and difficult national and international situation. The correct solution to the problems of our time requires a proper understanding of the international as well as the national situation.
The government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam raised with us sharply the issue regarding the protection of Vietnamese who reside in South Africa. In response to this, we outlined our position that South Africa is a Constitutional state and has a bill of rights, which are the supreme law of the land. We further indicated that, South Africa is a signatory to many international instruments that binds in upholding human rights. We will not fail to honour the spirit and letter of these instruments.
On our part we raised our concerns regarding the Rhino Poaching and other related crimes. The Vietnamese government made an undertaking to work closely with our government in this effort to curb this scourge.
As the African National Congress government in South Africa, we move from the premise that the destinies of all peoples struggling against organized crime and drug trade are interlinked and inextricably interwoven.
It is impossible, if not fatal, to divorce the struggle of our people in South Africa against organized crime, from the efforts of the peoples of the world against the same evil.
The joint and concerted action of all progressive forces against this scourge and the mobilisation of the vast masses of the people into a united anti-organised crime front constitutes a mighty and invincible force for the destruction of the criminal gangs. Unity in action is therefore cardinal in the fulfilment of this objective.
One of the tragedies of our time has been the discord in what I will call the people's camp which has weakened the main shield of the peoples against criminality. The knowledge of the discord and disagreement which exist among the progressive forces has spurred the criminals to strike left and right in every corner of the world using various tricks, at times playing us against each other.
Corrupt officials within the law enforcement agencies of our various countries are lavishly bribed to inform on the plans and operations of the agencies, to enable the organized criminal gangs to wreck and thwart the efforts of the people for a better life and a brighter future for our children.
The movement against organized crime and drug abuse is the united effort of all States, organisations and individuals throughout the world. It is a broad movement composed of people with different political beliefs, of different classes, social background, from different walks of life but who are united by their hatred of the evils of drugs.
The forums of the anti- organized crime and drug trade are not platforms for ideological and interstate disputes but are an anvil where all progressive forces should try to forge their common weapon to fight criminality in every form it emerges.
Both delegations recognized that, close co-operation of law enforcement agencies across the globe has seen numerous victories being scored and their potential in unity and concerted action is boundless. It is therefore the solemn duty of all genuine activists against organized crime to strengthen the unity of this mighty force, and to make it as invincible as it should be.
It is our task, as individuals and collective to safeguard the firmness and purity of this noble goal. We call on all citizens of the world to join us in this march to a better future. We are keenly aware that it will take time to realise the strategic objective of a drug free society. But the foundation has been laid, and the building has begun. It is not enough to contemplate the problems of the world. It is necessary to change it.
The South African Government basis on security is premised on the understanding that promoting mutual friendship amongst the people and nations of the world is paramount to the provision of security and social progress.
Pursuing the route of international co-operation is because we recognized that organized crime, drug trade, human trafficking, Rhino poaching and terrorism are amongst the prime evils that has plagued our world today, terrorists are prepared to kill and maim innocent people. Rhino poachers and those who trade in endangered species are prepared to deny future generations the beauty of nature.
In this situation, and as an internationalist duty, it is crucial that all progressive forces the world over should realise that they constitute one of the main motive forces in wiping out organized crime in our world.
Aluta Continua. * Nathi Mthethwa is an ANC NEC member and Minister of Police *From: http://www.anc.org.za/docs/anctoday/2011/at44.htm#art2* ** -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
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