Minister
Essop Pahad
Statement: 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) 300 5332, 082 575 3985
Issued by
The Presidency
3 January 2003
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