COMMENT | The classic response of a government under attack in the foreign press is to throw a tantrum. Immediately it goes into hysteria mode: "It's all a plot! plot! plot!" What plot? To topple a democratically-elected government!

The newspapers abroad may not know the political characteristics unique to a country but, when it comes to intrigues and skulduggery behind the workings of a government, journalists the world over need no special knowledge to write their stories.