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Diplomatic row looms between S. Africa, U.S. over terror alert

Xinhua, June 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

A diplomatic row is looming between South Africa and the United States over a terror alert that "near-term attacks" would take place in the African country.

The terror alert by the Americans was "sketchy, dubious and unsubstantiated," Clayson Monyela, spokesperson of the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation, said on Wednesday.

On June 4, the U.S. embassy in Pretoria issued a terror alert warning its citizens of possible attacks in places frequented by U.S. citizens in South Africa.

Following the warning, South African State Security Minister David Mahlobo downplayed the alert, saying there is no need to panic.

The South African government further accused the U.S. of not following the proper procedure in releasing the terror alerts.

Monyela expressed the government's displeasure, saying, "It is within this context that the South African government rejects attempts by foreign countries to influence, manipulate or control our country's counter terrorism work."

"We reject attempts to generate perceptions of government ineptitude, alarmist impressions and public hysteria on the basis of a questionable single source," he said.

Monyela said the South Africans must be informed first and be the ones who break the news if need be.

The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria insists that its terror warning was credible.

In response to a question about the South African government's displeasure, U.S. Embassy spokesperson Cynthia Harvey said, "The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria confirms that there is no change in status of the security message issued on June 4, 2016. It was based on specific, credible, and non-counterable threat information."

She also said they are happy with the high level of professionalism and transparent cooperation with the South African government over the issue.

Harvey refused to say whether the U.S. relations with South Africa have gone frosty.

She said, "We cannot comment on the internal communications process within the South African government, and we will continue to work with our counterparts going forward."

The British diplomatic mission in South Africa has also warned their citizens of possible attacks during the month of Ramadan. Endti