Source: The Presidency
Title: E Pahad: Re Cricket World Cup in SA
STATEMENT BY DR ESSOP PAHAD, MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY, WHO CARRIES POLITICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM, ON CRICKET WORLD CUP TO TAKE PLACE IN SA, 3 January 2003
The South African Government has taken note, with some puzzlement, of the Australian Government's warning to citizens over possible terror attacks in South Africa. This comes just as a high moment in international sport, the Cricket World Cup, is about to take place in our country.
There will be a sense of unhappiness among South Africans that such a generalised warning should have been issued, echoing as it did a vague British statement, some time ago which subsequently had to be placed in better perspective. In the event, the Christmas/New Year period went without incident on this front in South Africa.
South Africa is totally able and prepared to ensure safety and, indeed, enjoyment for those from foreign shores who come to our country as tourists, cricket fans or whatever. Major sporting events, such as the Pakistani cricket tour, still in progress, tours by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and by Australia's own Super 12 and netball teams, have taken place in past months without incident.
We handled the enormous security challenges of the World Summit on Sustainable Development last year without a hitch, and we are confident that we can do the same with the World Cup. We have had ample opportunity in past months to test our procedures as useful "dry runs" for the World Cup - and we have found them to be excellent in every respect.
So we say to the world: come to our country, enjoy its natural beauty, its rich cultural charm and, above all, its respect for human rights and democracy. If events in other countries - totally unrelated to South Africa and its policies - mark out foreigners visiting our shores as special targets, we are well equipped to deal with this.
It is to be hoped that, rather than issuing generalised statements, governments will use normal diplomatic channels to express any concerns they might have about their travelling citizens; and work closely with us, as dependable allies in the international cause of combating terrorism.
Contact: Louis du Plooy @ 012 3005332, 082 5753985
Issued by The Presidency
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