We have detected that the browser you are using is no longer supported. As a result, some content may not display correctly.
We suggest that you upgrade to the latest version of any of the following browsers:
close notification
Date
: 03/01/2003
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
Map
