Thats all I can say about South Africa's take on this war.
The government has rejected a request from the United States to close Iraqi missions in South Africa, and to expel senior officials.
Government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe on Wednesday said South Africa's actions would be guided by decisions taken by the United Nations.
"Because there has not been any such decision by the United Nations, we do not see any reason to break our diplomatic relations with the state of Iraq.
"The US approach was based on the premise that the Iraqi government was illegal and illegitimate, and needed to be overthrown.
It is important to respect the sovereignty of other countries
"As I have indicated, we will be guided on this by positions of the United Nations and, most critically, Iraq remains a member of the UN, and the issue of the legality of the Iraqi state has not arisen there," Netshitenzhe said.
South Africa is one of more than 60 countries petitioned by the US government to shut Iraqi missions, pending the outcome of the war.
Netshitenzhe said most of those countries had taken the same position as South Africa.
South Africa won't consider persuading Iraqi President Saddam Hussein to go into exile, according to Deputy President Jacob Zuma.
It was important to respect the sovereignty of other countries, and it was the people of those countries who had the right to change their leaders, he said on Thursday. - Sapa
This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on 03 April 2003
