DATE=2/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227208
TITLE=MANDELA IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DELIA ROBERTSON
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA HAS WELCOMED THE
AGREEMENT REACHED BY UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN
WITH IRAQ ON U-N WEAPONS INSPECTIONS. MORE FROM V-O-A'S DELIA
ROBERTSON AT OUR JOHANNESBURG BUREAU.
TEXT: NELSON MANDELA SAYS HE IS RELIEVED AT THE REPORTED
AGREEMENT TO ALLOW ACCESS BY UNITED NATIONS WEAPONS INSPECTORS TO
ALL POTENTIAL WEAPONS SITES IN IRAQ. MR. MANDELA SAID A
DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION IS ALWAYS PREFERABLE.
///MANDELA ACT///
WE ARE AGAINST ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE NO MATTER BY WHOM IT
IS CAUSED. AND IN OUR OWN COUNTRY, HERE WE WENT OUT OF
OUR WAY TO DISCUSS WITH OUR ENEMIES SO THAT WE SHOULD
AVOID VIOLENCE. AND WE THINK THAT THE ENTIRE WORLD
SHOULD DO THAT.
///END ACT///
MR. MANDELA SAID WHILE HE HAS NOT YET SEEN THE DETAILS OF THE
AGREEMENT, HE SAID HE IS PLEASED THAT IT APPEARS THAT TENSION IN
THE REGION WILL NOW DECREASE.
///REST OPT/// SOUTH AFRICA SAID EARLIER IT SUPPORTED UNITED
NATIONS RESOLUTIONS DEMANDING THE ELIMINATION OF ALL IRAQ'S
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION. BUT FOREIGN MINISTER ALFRED NZO
SAID BOMBS RAINING DOWN ON IRAQ WOULD MORE LIKELY KILL INNOCENT
CITIZENS THAN IRAQI PRESIDENT SADDAM HUSSEIN.
IN A SEPARATE STATEMENT ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS, THE
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS SAYS SOUTH AFRICA IS DELIGHTED AT
THE NEWS OF AN AGREEMENT -- ADDING THAT IT REPRESENTS A TRIUMPH
OF REASON AND DIPLOMACY. THE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE ONUS IS NOW ON
IRAQ TO DEMONSTRATE GOOD FAITH BY COMPLYING FULLY WITH ITS
COMMITMENTS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAR/PCF
24-Feb-98 8:41 AM EST (1341 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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