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Eastern Cape Premier, Rev Makhenkesi Stofile, was asked to expatiate on the comments he made about the attacks on the United States of America published in local newspapers.

Trying to put the interview in context, Stofile said that a reporter phoned him while he was in Aliwal North for Outreach Programme and asked him to make comments on the events taking place in the US.

His recollection of the interview is as follows:

Question: Are you surprised that bombs and planes have attacked the US?

Answer: No, the world we live in is a very violent one.

Question: What could have sparked the attacks?

Answer: The US Government should do that analysis and find out what has sparked such attacks. This is a good time for introspection by the US Government.

Question: What do you feel about these acts of terror.

Answer: I do not know for sure that these are acts of terror. They could be guerrilla tactics fighting for something. In that case, guerrillas use small units as a tactic not as an act of cowardice. These are the same tactics the ANC used and we too were labelled as terrorists.

Question: How do you feel about the attacks?

Answer: I think they are a bad thing and we do not encourage such attacks.

"This is the context of the discussion. It was more of an analysis than a statement," the Premier said.

The news agency that wrote the article refused to share the taped interview with the Communications Division of the Office of the Premier for direct transcription.

Enquiries: Mncedi Thamie Mgwigwi at 040 639 1543

Issued by Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape

13 September 2001