Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Tony Leon on Monday criticised the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), among others, for its ”mindless” protest against United States President George Bush’s visit to South Africa next week.
The DA agreed with Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad that Bush’s visit was ”an opportunity to strengthen the bilateral relations between America and South Africa”, Leon said in a statement.
But unfortunately, elements within the ANC alliance — namely Cosatu and others in the so-called ”anti-war coalition” — were using the visit as a means of political mobilisation against the US.
Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi’s statement that Bush was motivated by ”capitalist greed” and had ”caused the death of millions of innocent Iraqis” was so one-sided and wrong-headed as to almost defy comment and belief, he said.
”Cosatu should be rolling out the red carpet for President Bush rather than giving him a red card.”
The fact was that whether or not one approved of Bush’s politics, he was the head of the world’s only hyperpower.
”To simply protest mindlessly against his presence in our country would be a violation of the national interest of South Africa.”
One did not have to be an apologist for the US to recognise the real benefit to millions of South Africans from, among other things, the estimated 70 000 new jobs over the next three years in the textile industry, created under the US-Africa Growth and Opportunity Act; the commitment of $15-billion over the next five years to fight HIV/Aids, under the US Leadership Against HIV/Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria Act; and support for the democratisation and reconstruction of Zimbabwe.
”Sensible diplomacy and statesmanship would recognise these realities and act accordingly.
”South Africa belongs in the front row of winning nations. It does not belong in the upstairs gallery of the world’s despots and autocrats where the anti-war coalition would place us.” – Sapa