Police commissioner desperate to avoid Obama World Cup security challenge

Category: International Published on Wednesday, 19 May 2010 11:26 Written by Associated Press Hits: 1065

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)—South Africa’s police commissioner says he hopes the United States is knocked out of the World Cup in the first round to avoid the massive security challenge of a visit by President Barack Obama.

General Bheki Cele told parliament in Cape Town May 7 it was “50-50” whether Obama would visit Africa’s first World Cup, but they had been told that if the U.S. team makes the knockout stages Obama might jet in.

Cele said: “Our famous prayer is that the Americans don’t make the second round. (That) They get eliminated and they go home.”

South Africa’s top policeman said he had provisional confirmation that 43 heads of state would go to the World Cup, and “those 43 will be equal to this one operation” if Obama made the trip.