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Blatter to travel to South Africa to meet Mbeki
Beijing - FIFA president Joseph Blatter said Thursday he will travel to
South Africa in September to meet with President Thabo Mbeki and discuss
ongoing preparations for the 2010 World Cup. Blatter told a news conference
in Beijing that he would be in South Africa September 15-18, during which
time he would have "several meetings" in order to get a picture
of what the level of support for World Cup organizers will be following
the April 2009 general election.
"It is important that the exiting and the new government stand behind
the organizers," said the 72-year-old.
Blatter also intends meeting the head of the African National Congress
(ANC), Jacob Zuma.
"We have to instill confidence in the participants," said Blatter,
adding that he had full confidence in South Africa's ability to host the
event despite fears about organization and security.
"They'll manage it very well," he said. "Show me a land
where there is 100-per-cent security. Such problems happen everywhere."
earthtimes.org,
August 21 2008
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