DATE=3/23/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228573
TITLE=SAF / CLINTON / SECURITY (L ONLY)
BYLINE=MICHAEL HAMLYN
DATELINE=CAPE TOWN
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SOME PEOPLE HAVE VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT PRESIDENT
CLINTON'S SAFETY WHEN HE VISITS SOUTH AFRICA LATER THIS WEEK.
BUT MICHAEL HAMLYN IN CAPE TOWN REPORTS SOUTH AFRICA'S NATIONAL
PROTECTION SERVICE SAYS IT HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL.
TEXT: GANG WARFARE HAS ALREADY INTRUDED INTO LIFE OF CAPE TOWN.
FOUR YOUNG MEMBERS OF ONE GANG WERE SHOT DEAD RECENTLY AT THE
GATE TO THE CITY'S MOST POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPING AREA.
PISTOLS AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC ASSAULT RIFLES ARE COMMON POSSESSIONS
IN MANY HOMES OF CAPE TOWN'S DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.
AND ANTI-GANGSTER VIGILANTIES -- WHO PLAN TO DEMONSTRATE AT CAPE
TOWN'S AIRPORT LATE WEDNESDAY WHEN MR. CLINTON ARRIVES -- HAVE
TAKEN THEIR CAMPAIGN TO THE HOMES OF REPORTED DRUG LORDS WITH
GUNS AND BOMBS.
SO, THE OFFICIAL COORDINATING PRESIDENT CLINTON'S VISIT FOR SOUTH
AFRICA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY, DUMISANE KHUMALO, SAYS SECURITY IS A
MAJOR CONCERN.
/// KHUMALO ACT ///
WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, IT IS A FACT THAT THE UNITED
STATES HAS UNFORTUNATELY BEEN THE ONE COUNTRY THAT HAS
LOST PRESIDENTS BEFORE DUE TO VIOLENCE, ASSASSINATIONS,
AND WHAT HAVE YOU. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A VERY TIGHT
SECURITY NETWORK THAT IS BUILT AROUND THE PRESIDENT. IT
IS NOT BECAUSE AMERICANS ARE JUST SHOWING OFF HOW MANY
SECRET SERVICE AGENCY THEY CAN BRING AROUND HERE, IT'S
BECAUSE OF A NECESSITY BASED ON THEIR HISTORICAL
EXPERIENCE.
/// END ACT ///
REPORTS SAY SEVERAL HUNDRED U-S SECRET SERVICE AGENTS WILL BE IN
SOUTH AFRICA TO GUARD PRESIDENT CLINTON. BUT THE HEAD OF SOUTH
AFRICA'S NATIONAL PROTECTION SERVICE, GARY KREUSER, SAYS KEEPING
MR. CLINTON SAFE IS SOUTH AFRICAN' JOB.
/// KREUSER ACT ///
AS THE POLICE AGENCY IN A SOVEREIGN COUNTRY, WE ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED STATES. OURSELVES TOGETHER WITH THE
SECRET SERVICE HAVE WORKED VERY WELL TOGETHER TO DEVISE
A PLAN TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A SAFE AND SECURE
ENVIRONMENT WHEREVER HE GOES.
/// END ACT ///
/// OPT /// DIRECTOR KREUSER SAYS THE PEOPLE OF CAPE TOWN
PROBABLY WILL NOT LIKE THE SECURITY CLAMP DOWN -- NOR THE
TRAFFIC JAMS CAUSED BY THE FLEET OF LIMOUSINES MOVING THE MR.
CLINTON AROUND THE CITY.
/// OPT // SECOND KREUSER ACT ///
TOGETHER WITH SECURITY, UNFORTUNATELY, GOES SOME
INCONVENIENCE. AND I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE
INCONVENIENCE. OUR PLAN IS TO KEEP THE INCONVENIENCE
DOWN TO A MINIMUM. THAT'S OUR PRIORITY, AT THE SAME
TIME WITHOUT SACRIFICING ANY RISK TOWARDS THE PRESIDENT.
WE HAVE ACTIVATED ALL OUR INTELLIGENCE SOURCES AS WELL,
TOGETHER WITH THE AMERICANS. AND WE ARE HAPPY THAT WE
CAN ENSURE A SAFE AND SECURE, WHETHER IT'S FOR THE
PRESIDENT AND FOR THE PEOPLE OF CAPE TOWN.
/// END ACT // END OPT ///
PART OF THE SECURITY INVOLVES ATTEMPTS TO CONFUSE POTENTIAL
TROUBLEMAKERS. THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS RESERVED MORE THAN
ONE-THOUSAND BEDS IN CAPE TOWN HOTELS. BUT NO ONE HAS YET
ANNOUNCED WHICH HOTEL'S PRESIDENTIAL SUITE WILL BE OCCUPIED BY
MR. CLINTON. AND WHEN MR. CLINTON GOES TO ROBBEN ISLAND FOR A
VISIT TO THE CELL THAT ONCE WAS HOME TO PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA,
FOUR IDENTICAL HELICOPTERS WILL MAKE THE TRIP. BUT NO ONE WILL
SAY WHO WILL BE IN WHICH AIRCRAFT. (SIGNED)
NEB/MH/JWH
23-Mar-98 12:25 PM EST (1725 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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