The Sowetan (Johannesburg)
Waghied Misbach
2 October 2001
Members of Parliament are expected to engage in a heated debate tomorrow on the recent terror attacks in the United States and the effects of the possible American military action against Afghanistan on the global economy.
The debate was sparked off by the stance of the Cabinet, and later reinforced by Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who said that the Government would not provide military support at this stage to any US action against those suspected of being responsible for the attacks.
Two weeks ago the Cabinet decided that it would offer intelligence it might have to the American authorities, but ruled out any military support because it was unclear what action America and its allies would take.
There is also likely to be renewed debate around the vexed Middle East question, with ANC members raising the issue of Palestinian suffering at the hands of the Israeli government.
The Democratic Party is expected to attack the Government on what it perceives as its "fork-tongued" approach to the US attacks.
These were the words of DP leader Mr Tony Leon, who praised President Thabo Mbeki for his unequivocal condemnation of the attacks, but lashed out at other ANC office bearers who had criticised the US government for "its insular foreign policy - detrimental to the world's poor".
The debate is also expected to raise questions about the global economy and the effects a full-scale war would have on growth prospects.
The issue of the continued decline of the rand and the lack of foreign direct investment and capital outflows from the country will also form part of the debate.
The restructuring of global financial institutions such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organisation is also likely to be raised.
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