Mar 24 2009

The peace conference linked to the World Cup in South Africa has been postponed because of the refusal of local authorities to grant a visa to the Dalai Lama, announced Tuesday the organizing committee this conference.

"(...) The organizers have decided, in the interest of peace, to postpone the conference on peace in South Africa to ensure that it takes place under good conditions," said chairman Irvin Khoza , one of the leaders of the World-2010.

"The South African government has persuaded the Dalai Lama to postpone his visit to South Africa," he added during a press conference in Johannesburg.

The South African authorities said Monday after refusing, on behalf of the national interest to grant a visa to the Tibetan spiritual leader who would take part Friday in a conference in Johannesburg on football in the fight against racism and xenophobia.

The Nobel Committee for Peace and two winners of South Africa, Desmond Tutu and Frederik de Klerk, immediately announced that they had boycotted the meeting.

The spokesman for the South African presidency, Thabo Masebe, reiterated Tuesday the position of Pretoria. "We have taken our decision. We stand, nothing will change," he told the press. "It is not forbidden to travel. We just did not invited," said Masebe.

China has said later of his satisfaction that countries do not the spiritual leader of Tibetans, which Beijing accuses of independence conducted.

The grand son of Nelson Mandela criticized Tuesday the position of South African authorities. "I do not think, as an independent nation, that we must succumb to international pressure," said Mandla Mandela, also an organizer of this conference.

"For me, considering the role my grandfather played towards democracy with these colleagues, this government's refusal to issue a visa to the Dalai Lama really undermines our efforts to promote democracy. It is a sad day South Africa is a sad day for Africa, "he regretted.

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JOHANNESBURG (AFP)

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