More than one way to limit out-sourcing military activity--

[spindrifter]

stop the participants!

Antimercenary Bill Delayed, But Not Forgotten

Business Day (Johannesburg)

December 27, 2005
Posted to the web January 3, 2006

Wyndham Hartley
Johannesburg

After disappearing mysteriously from Parliament's radar screen, the controversial antimercenary bill is evidently still on course for the national legislature early in the new year.

In its published form, the bill caused considerable interest among foreign diplomats in SA because of provisions that could criminalise foreign nationals for having served in "conflict areas" should they visit SA.

Provisions allowing South Africans to join liberation struggles in other countries have been criticised for potentially legitimising some terrorist groups.

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A search of the parliamentary website revealed no sign of the bill, meaning that it had probably not yet been formally tabled.

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Defence analyst Jane's Defence Weekly correspondent Helmoed Heitman said there clearly appeared to be a rethink on aspects of the bill. In a submission to the committee in November he pointed out that even members of the International Committee of the Red Cross serving in conflict areas could technically be guilty of offences in terms of the bill.

Humanitarian assistance to areas of conflict by South Africans such as that mounted to assist earthquake victims in Kashmir would also be delayed while permission was being applied for. This could delay them enough to render them ineffective.

Heitman also said that while the government encouraged investment into Africa the bill would make criminals of investors if they used local or South African security firms to protect their investments without first getting the correct permission.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200601030667.html

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Meanwhile, AegisIraq, Aegis Defence's webpage for its employees, is bidding farewell to the S. Africans with a touching musical tribute.

http://www.aegisiraq.co.uk/Home.htm