Sir, - Your report on the Blair visit to Cape Town (January 9th) says in a headline over a picture of street events involving police and demonstrators: "Asmal apologises for Muslim street violence." I made no such apology.
My comment (which you quote in the body of your report), in introducing the British Prime Minister, did not single out "Muslims" or anyone else, but referred only to "the events" that took place; and I referred in my remarks to the right, under our constitution, to peaceful protest.
There is more than enough demonisation of an entire religion and culture which is being blamed for the violent demonstrations of a small minority of extremists. I do not wish to be associated with such simplistic, xenophobic attitudes, which I have spent my whole life, both in Ireland and South Africa, opposing. - Yours, etc., Prof Kadar Asmal, MP, Minister of Water Affairs & Forestry, South Africa,
Cape Town, South Africa.
The word "Muslim" was removed from the headline in later editions. - Ed., IT.