Govt: Hogan's Dalai Lama comments 'unfortunate'

I think the best thing is for our arrogant government to admit that the decision was wrong and against South African human rights stand. In what context this was going to shift the focus of 2010 conference? Now the government tells us that it is better the sell our hard fought stand with cash. Anyway they have done it with the ARMS DEAL. Thanks D. Tutu, De Klerk and B. Hogan. You will always be remembered for standing with what you believe in.

Power to Minister Hogan. We need more 'unfortunate' comments like these from within the ANC - if only to show us that a wrong party line can be challenged openly. She is clearly a woman with self-respect and backbone. I hope more ANC women will respect us the electorate enough to show that you are not whipped one you get into government.

The ANC government must accept that not every decision it takes is divinely inspired. Demonstrate some humility and back off from the Dalai Lama please.

Thank you Barbara! At least somebody in government still represents the public's wishes...

Hogan did the right thing, saying what she believes even if its against the official views. the fact that she is part of government shouldn't stop her from standing by her beliefs. why should the government silence us? clearly its views go against so many south africans and international community. this governemnt has forgotten so quickly how the Dalai Lama fought for the freedom and rights we now enjoy. it is people like Hogan we need in the government, to bring about REAL change in the country.

The way the pinko government of South Africa is trying to appease their Chinese masters is simply disgusting.

The fact that the government is also threatening to take action against Minister Hogan shows complete arrogance, contempt and spitefulness and a lack of understanding of free speech or freedom to dissent (is this against the law??)

Themba Maseko is right. I think Hogan has forgetten that during the term of Thabo Mbeki the deputy minister was dismissed for being against the governement which was a member of. She must be called in order. I also blame the people who invited Dalai Lama without consulting the government, this whole noise could have been avoided.

I find it infuriating that a minister with a stiff moral backbone who makes a public statement about a great injustice and stands up for what we all know to be right is immediately brought into check by government, while corrupt government officials run rampant at their leisure and are rarely, if ever, brought to book. Disgraceful.

An honest and revealing comment from a government spokesman at last. "Peace is not as important as making money". Since when did the ANC start sounding like George W Bush?! Albert Luthuli must be turning in his grave. The soul of the ANC has been sold to the highest bidder, and the moral stading of a once respected liberation movement lies in tatters.

Keep politics out of sport. Now where have we heard that one before?
I seem to remember an organization that said no normal sport in an abnormal society and called on foreign countries with major investments in SA to pull out of SA for moral and ethical reasons. Now we want to silence the best health minister in years for having the courage of her convictions and standing up for principles. Oh well bring back Manto She always knew her place.

Oh - so lets button this one up as well - my word his master voice speaks loudly !

Sadly freedom of speech and rights of the individual, and to be an individual, are slowly being canned.

Our constitution is based on INDIVIDUAL freedom and INDIVIDUAL accountability. Here we have the government hiding behind the COLLECTIVE again. The COLLECTIVE are never accountable. What Minister Hogan said needed to be said.

Yes, absolutely, these comments are very unfortunate. Why on earth would we want members of government who think for themselves and speak according to their conscience? Imagine! It be almost, like, democratic, or something.

Barbara Hogan is now a hero to many in SA and across the world. At least she can sleep peacefully at night knowing that she had the courage to speak out against a grave injustice. I wonder if other ANC leaders can sleep peacefully at night or will their silence forever gnaw at their conscience?

For SA to act like a province of China at the UN is one thing, but destroying a Peace Conference is unforgivable. This decision will haunt the ANC forever.

Hogan should be dismissed without delay! As part of a collective which make decisions, she hypocritically used the media to advance sinister agendas! She may have won over the "white liberal clique" with her misguided stance but she dismally failed to convince the masses what is in their best interest. We cannot have ministers in the cabinet who undermine their own principals. Did one ever hear in board meetings, a member of the board will contradict his fellow board members where hard decisions are made? This woman have demonstrated her populist streak and she should be removed without delay. I think COPE needs another martyr for their lost cause!

The only unfortunate thing here is that the ruling party have lost the plot somewhat and conveniently forgotten their liberation roots. Poor.

I am infuriated and ashamed that, when a minister of our democratic government speaks out for that which we all should know is right, she is silenced with feeble mumblings about 'a collective'. May we all use the election next month to do away with those in government who embarrass, frustrate and ignore us.

Hogan's comments were "unfortunate"?

The South African Government action was more than unfortunate, siding with Governmants whose violent behaviour is contrary to common decency and contrary to the standards of constitutional protections afforded to South African citizens

By taking such actions our Government promotes oppressive violent regimes (constitutions) whilst purporting to protect our own Constitution?

Even more "unfortunate" is the (usual) foot in mouth standard of Government's comments, dishonest, lazy, stupid and irrational.

On the other hand, the whole thing revolves around the 2010 World Cup.
So who is the Dalai Lama? Which team does he play for?, is he a goalkeeper, is he coming here to play football or advance the interests of Tibet?

Football is the issue here, not Tibet or some other silly message from the pious wheeler dealers at FIFA

So FIFA can go to hell on this one too. Bring me football please.
Do not use football to advance any political agendas however righteous.
FIFA's business is Football, not promoting peace and love.

Racism is unfortunate. And even if China does have some fuzzy historical "justification" for occupying Tibet they should still get out of there.
But none of us need any lessons in morality from Sepp Blatter and his cronies at FIFA either.
Get on with the football please

I am not against what the minister said because I believe she was very well within her right to express her opinion, besides this is the freedom for which, she and her political party, fought. However be that as it may, I strongly maintain that there were proper channels in place through which her opinion could and should have been better expressed. She is a person of integrity, that much we know.