The South African government criticised Australia on Friday for issuing a ”generalised” public warning about possible terror attacks in SA, without using normal diplomatic channels.
The Australian government issued an alert to travellers earlier this week, urging its citizens to exercise caution in public areas. Like a pre-Christmas warning issued by Britain, the Australian advisory suggested terrorists could attack restaurants and other sites frequented by foreigners.
The warning comes shortly before South African hosts the Cricket World Cup. In a statement, Minister in The Presidency Essop Pahad said: ”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.”
”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 and New Year period went without incident … in South Africa.”
Cricket and tourism bosses have also dismissed the Australian warning.
Pahad said South Africa hoped international governments would use normal diplomatic channels to express any concerns they might have about their travelling citizens rather than issue generalised statements.
Pahad said South Africa was ”totally able and prepared” to ensure safety and, indeed, enjoyment for those foreigners ”who come to our country as tourists, cricket fans or whatever”.
He said major sporting events, such as the Pakistani cricket tour of SA, which was still in progress, earlier tours by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and by Australia’s own Super 12 and netball teams had taken place in past months in South Africa 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,” Pahad said.
”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.
”Rather governments should work closely with us, as dependable allies in the international cause of combating terrorism,” he added. – Sapa