US refuses to apologise over SA comments

State Department spokesperson Sean McCormack says the transcript of ambassador Khalilzad's statement contains nothing to be apologetic about. Earlier Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad told journalists in Pretoria that South Africa would seek an apology over Khalilzad's comments.

Speaking after China and Russia vetoed US-backed sanctions against Zimbabwe; the senior US diplomat told the media in New York that South African president Thabo Mbeki was out of touch with his own people. The Bush administration has since, not only refused to apologise, but it is keeping up its criticism of the South African position.

McCormack said: “Each individual state makes its own decision. South Africa could have stood on the right side of history and voted for the resolution and chose not to. Again that's their decision; let the people judge their action."

Despite the obvious diplomatic friction between Tshwane and Washington, the US is playing down suggestions that the issue will strain ties across the board. Even analysts say the present spat between the Bush and Mbeki's administrations will have no impact in these two countries' future relationships.

They point out that both leaders are on their way out of office in a few months time. The expectation is that whoever replaces them will fully understand the strategic importance of the relationship.

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