Zuma clarifies SA policy

President Jacob Zuma says South Africa's foreign policy is not influenced by any country, individuals or "lobby group interests within our own country".

This comes shortly after his administration was accused of mishandling the Dalai Lama invitation to Archbishop Desmond Tutu's 80th birthday party because of pressure from China.

Addressing embassy officials and students at the University of Pretoria yesterday, Zuma said South Africa was not under pressure from any other country.

"I think we explained our position on China ... we have that relationship, and of course I think the question they were asking about the Dalai Lama, that does not talk to our policy because our policy is very clear.

"The Dalai Lama is an individual who applied for a visa to come to South Africa. Now it will be very difficult to sit here and discuss the details of what happened at immigration. I wouldn't want to guess.

"The fact that this was elevated from a birthday to a national issue is a different matter, a totally different matter," he said.

• The Dalai Lama's representative in Africa said yesterday that sovereign nations such as South Africa should never allow themselves to be intimidated .

Addressing the Cape Town Press Club, Sonam Tenzing said as a nation oppressed by the Chinese government, Tibetans would want to see any sovereign nation have its own foreign policy and not be dictated to by anybody.

"They must stand up and not be intimidated or scared when making decisions."

Tenzing said South Africa had the right not to grant the Dalai Lama a visa. However, what was lacking in this case was the failure to give a decision on the visa.

"The visa fees were all paid, for seven passports, yet there was no answer at all," he said.

The only response the Dalai Lama received was from the South African embassy in India, which said it was awaiting advice from Pretoria. - Additional reporting by Sapa