Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi on Monday rejected rumours that US President George Bush and the large entourage accompanying him will enter South Africa without respecting the immigration laws.
”In fact, the contrary is true,” Buthelezi said in a statement on the eve of Bush’s arrival on an official visit to South Africa on Tuesday.
”Working in close cooperation with US Ambassador Cameron Hume we have designed a process which fully complies with our Immigration Act while facilitating the entry of President Bush and his entourage that addresses the relevant security considerations,” he said.
The process designed was submitted with various stages of interdepartmental consultation and, thereafter, to the consultation of the Immigration Advisory Board which, in its planning meeting of July 3 ”considered and fully and independently endorsed it”.
”We are grateful for the cooperation of the US Embassy and its ambassador in this matter.
”We welcome President Bush and this important opportunity to strengthen the bond of friendship between the government and the people of the United States of America and our own people,” Buthelezi said.
Bush is scheduled to arrive in South Africa from Senegal on Tuesday night, with an entourage of about 600 people, including Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.
On Wednesday, Bush is scheduled to hold a one-on-one meeting with President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria. – Sapa