US embassy – praag.org

US alert on South African terror threat

The US on Tuesday warned its citizens in South Africa of a “specific, credible” threat.

The US embassy said on its website it had “information that extremists may be targeting US interests in South Africa, to possibly include US government facilities and other facilities identifiable with US business interests.

There is no additional information as to timing or potential targeting”. Americans were urged to increase vigilance and to follow any instructions they may get from South African authorities regarding their safety.

The Ministry of State Security’s spokesperson Brian Dube spoke to The Citizen late last night after flying to Cape Town, and said the Minister had “noted media reports relating to the statement issued by the U.S. Diplomatic Mission to South Africa relating to security concerns.”

“We confirm that there has been an interaction between ourselves and the U.S. authorities on this matter,” Dube said. “At this stage we can confirm that after verification of same by our law enforcement agencies, there appears to be no immediate threat or danger. We will however continue to monitor the situation, working with everyone including the U.S. authorities.”

Dube added the Minister wanted to reassure the public government would continue its efforts to ensure everyone’s safety. “We reiterate our resolve to work with members of the international community in creating a safer and secure world and to ensure that South Africa remains a safe destination for anyone who wishes to travel here,” Dube said.

US embassy spokesperson Cynthia Harvey said its department of state had no higher priority than the protection of its citizens. “When we receive specific, credible, non-counterable threat information, it is a standard practice worldwide for US embassies and consulates to issue Security and Emergency Messages such as the Security Message issued today by US Embassy Pretoria,” Harvey said.

The warning comes ahead of the anniversary of 9/11, a set of attacks in America on September 11, 2001 by Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda which killed nearly 3 000 people.

“The US government, as it does in any investigation into terrorist threats against American interests around the world, will cooperate with SA authorities,” Harvey said.

The US embassy in SA told its nationals to “be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security”.

Union Buildings will get Mandela statue in December

A statue of Nelson Mandela will be unveiled at the Union Buildings by the end of the year, President Jacob Zuma said on Monday.

This would be part of the marking of the building’s centenary.

Zuma was speaking in Houghton, at the official opening of the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory’s public facility and the permanent exhibition on the life and times of Mandela.

“These resources are an integral part of our nation’s heritage,” Zuma said.

“They are our nation’s treasures and they indeed need to be preserved. [The centre] is making a major contribution to integrating liberation heritage and cultural heritage.”

Zuma urged South Africans to continue the values for which Mandela stood in their everyday lives and not just on Mandela Day, when people are asked to give of their time to help others.

He said exhibitions about Mandela’s life were underway in Paris, France and in Washington, in the US.

“The exhibition continues to attract record attendances, proving once more that Tata [Mandela] is indeed a global icon,” Zuma said.

“We are doing these things to thank people of the world for standing with us against apartheid.”

He wished Mandela well in his recuperation at home.

Earlier this year, Mandela spent almost three months in hospital for a recurring lung infection before being discharged on September 1 to continue receiving treatment at home.

Nelson Mandela Foundation trustee Tokyo Sexwale said the centre was dependent on donations and he asked South Africans to contribute what they could.

“This legacy needs to live forever. A time will come when Madiba has to go, but the name lives on.

“Forget the millions of dollars [from other funders], every cent counts.”

Regional radio station Kaya FM, the British soccer club Sunderland, clothing company Edcon and the US Embassy had joined the centre as new sponsors.

The centre, which contains archives collected by the former president’s foundation over the years, will be open to the public.

The exhibition includes a view of Mandela’s old office, a number of the publications in which he has been published, the Nobel Peace Prize he was awarded in 1993 and a number of other artefacts. – Sapa

‘Free Palestine! Free Swaziland!’ demonstrators shout at Obama in Pretoria

Activists from different groups marched to the US embassy in Pretoria on Friday protesting against President Barack Obama.

The large group marched along Francis Baard Street, singing and chanting anti-Obama slogans. One activist, on a truck mounted with a public address system, led the songs and slogans.

He shouted: “Free Palestine. Free Swaziland. Free Zimbabwe. Down Obama, down!”

The group initially gathered at the Caledonian Stadium before embarking on the march.

Some of the protesters’ placards read: “Obama, stop supporting dictators in Africa. No oil here, move on.

“100 years of genocide in Iraq. War in 100 countries. Rogue State.”

A young boy’s poster read: “No you can’t spy on me”.

Many protesters wore orange overalls and black hoods. Others were dressed in Young Communist League red regalia.

The league’s national secretary was with other officials in front of the protesters.

A large banner with Obama’s face had the words: “Meet the world’s top assassin”. The banner also had a picture of Obama behind prison bars.

Many local and international journalists, who were camped outside the nearby Medi-Clinic Heart hospital where former president Nelson Mandela is being treated, rushed to the stadium.

As the group passed close to the hospital, they shouted messages of support for the ailing anti-apartheid icon.

Six police vehicles, including a Nyala, escorted the lively protesters. – Sapa

Now it’s Tunisia – US embassy stormed there

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Several dozen protesters briefly stormed the U.S. Embassy compound in Tunisia’s capital Friday, setting fire to cars and raising a flag with the Muslim profession of faith written on it as part of violent demonstrations in the region against an anti-Islam film.

Outside the embassy, thousands of demonstrators gathered, including stone-throwing protesters who clashed with police, an Associated Press reporter on the scene said. Officers responded with tear gas and gunshots.

Protesters also set fire to an American school adjacent to the embassy compound, and firefighters were prevented from approaching by the large crowd. Thick columns of black smoke wafted through the neighborhood. The group that breached the embassy’s outer wall was pushed back outside by police and special forces.

A Tunisian employee of the embassy with an injured leg was taken out by stretcher to an ambulance. It wasn’t immediately clear if there were any other injuries.

Crowds angry over an anti-Muslim film ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad have assaulted U.S. embassies across the Middle East.