SACP says no to Bush's visit

2003-06-28 12:16

Johannesburg - The South African Communist Party (SACP) on Saturday announced that it would be protesting against the visit of US President George W Bush to Africa.

According to SACP spokesperson Mazibuko Jara, Bush who is scheduled to visit South Africa on July 8 and 9, would also visit Nigeria, Botswana and Ghana.

He said the pickets would start building outside the US embassy in Pretoria and the US consulate in Johannesburg on July 4 - Independence Day for Americans.

He said the SACP had decided to begin protest action on that particular day because it had such significance for Americans citizens.

Jara said the protests and pickets would continue until Bush left South Africa.

"Bush's visit to Africa is not about promoting democracy, peace and the economic well-being of the peoples of Africa. Instead his visit is aimed at laying the basis for thorough and enduring US military and economic hegemony all over the world."

He said: "It is under his regime that two illegitimate wars against the people of Afghanistan and Iraq were fought and thousands died."

"It is also Bush's regime which is undermining international dialogue and multi-lateralism. It is Bush's regime which advances the narrow interests of US multi-national corporations at the expense of people in developing countries.

"It is Bush's regime which continues to undermine the legitimate freedom struggle of the people of Palestine.

"It is Bush's regime which seeks to perpetuate a 44-year old illegal economic blockade against Cuba including the recent unjust incarceration of five Cubans in US jails," Jara said.

- SAPA