Sheikh Yassin's visit to South Africa provokes controversy
Palestine, Politics, 5/6/1998

The forthcoming visit of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmad Yassin to South Africa has raised controversy in both official and non-official circles in the Cape.

The secretary-general of the Islamic Judicial Council -- one of the organizations that invited Yassin to visit South Africa -- Ahmad Sadiq said that Yassin expressed a desire to meet with the president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela.

Sadiq said, "The Foreign Ministry has the impression that we have invited him [Sheikh Yassin] to visit a state, but we did not ask to be received by Mandela as a statesman, rather to be ready to meet him during the visit.."

A spokesman for the South African presidency declined to talk about the visit. He said this matter is to be debated by minister of Justice Dollah Omar, but the latter's office said the minister of justice has no relevance to this visit.

Spokeswoman for the South African Foreign Ministry said she does not know about a visa request from Sheikh Yassin, noting that when they receive such a request they will take it into account, adding, "It is a very sensitive issue."

Meanwhile press reports said that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has expressed opposition to the visit with the objective of limiting the influence of Hamas.

On Monday Cape Times daily noted pressures exerted by the Palestinian authorities in this regard.

Previous Stories:
  Hamas calls on Arafat reconsider policy   (5/5/1998)
  Iran releases four Palestinians, due to Shiekh Yassin's mediation,   (5/4/1998)
  Sheikh Ahmed Yassin heads to South Africa   (5/2/1998)

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