June 21 2003 at 02:15PM
American President George Bush is expected to visit South Africa on July 8 and 9 as part of a trip to five African countries, the South African foreign affairs department said on Saturday.
Spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said these dates were tentative, and no programme had yet been finalised.
According to the South African presidency, Bush was scheduled to meet his counterpart Thabo Mbeki on July 9.
"We will be meeting him at the Union Buildings in Pretoria in the morning of July 9, whereafter the two presidents would enjoy lunch together, accompanied by an American delegation," said spokesman Bheki Khumalo.
The United States embassy, however, said no specific dates have been announced for Bush' stop-over in South Africa.
"I have heard a number of different dates, but I cannot confirm anything yet," embassy spokesperson Judy Moon said.
"Generally, firm dates are not announced until much closer to the time."
The White House said on Friday Bush would depart on his first visit to Africa on July 7.
The trip was initially scheduled for January, but was called off amid the build-up to the war on Iraq.
He is to visit Senegal, South Africa, Botswana, Uganda and Nigeria over a six-day period. - Sapa
