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Powell Encounters Protests in S. Africa
US Secretary of State Colin Powell faced his most critical audience yet as he outlined U.S. policy toward the continent. He encountered heckling and tough questions on Iraq and Cuba at a university appearance. After the speech, demonstrators prevented his motorcade from leaving the site for a while.
While praising many African leaders, Powell issued unusually direct criticism of President Robert Mugabe of neighboring Zimbabwe, saying Mugabe, in office since 1980, seems "determined to remain in power" long past when new elections should have been held.
"The true test of a democracy is not the first election," Powell said at the University of the Witwatersrand. "Democracy takes root when leaders step down peacefully, when they are voted out of office or when their terms expire."
Powell, who travels to Kenya on Saturday, told his university audience that, as the first black secretary of state, "I will enthusiastically engage with Africa on behalf of the American people."
In his appearance at the university, Powell came up against the sharpest criticism so far in his travels as secretary of state.
Some students booed and shouted "Power to the People!"
During a question period, Powell was called upon to defend his role in the Persian Gulf War, when he was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, by a student who suggested: "You came out as a hero for having bombed black people in Iraq."
He was also asked why the United States was not making more overtures to Libya, Iraq and Cuba. "We are not prepared to engage with them because of the danger we think they still present," he said.
About 50 demonstrators staged a protest that prevented his motorcade from leaving for about 30 minutes after his speech. He stayed inside the building.
Protesters shouted such slogans as "Powell go home!" "You're the true butcher of Baghdad!" and "Free Palestine!"
When his motorcade finally barreled through, several protesters banged on the hood and roof of Powell's limousine. A uniformed South African policeman and a plainclothes U.S. diplomatic security agent were hurt in the scuffle and fell to the ground. They were immediately helped up.
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