RI cheers Mandela's election<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday warmly greeted the
\ninauguration of Nelson Mandela as South Africa's first black
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
Mandela's election victory was the result of the South African
\npeople's struggle in their fight against apartheid, the Ministry
\nof Foreign Affairs said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\"Mandela's victory as South African president through the
\nfirst ever non-racial election is not just a historic occasion,
\nbut an event anticipated by the international community.\"<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas was on hand
\nin Pretoria to attend yesterday's inauguration in place of
\nPresident Soeharto. During his South African sojourn, Alatas met
\nwith Mandela and handed him an invitation to visit Indonesia in
\nthe near future.<\/p>\n
In his inaugural address on Monday, Mandela made a special
\nmention of Indonesia, of what he called \"patriots\" from Indonesia
\nsome 300 years ago arriving to the Cape of Good Hope to begin the
\nfateful convergence of the peoples of Africa, Europe and Asia.<\/p>\n
\"It was to this peninsula that the patriots, among them many
\nprinces and scholars, of Indonesia were dragged in chains. It was
\non the sandy plains of this peninsula that the first battles of
\nthe epic wars of resistance were fought,\" Mandela said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia sent 15 observers and donated money to help ensure
\nthe smooth running of the elections there.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has stated its commitment to upgrade its liaison
\noffice in Johannesburg to a full embassy after the establishment
\nof the new government.<\/p>\n
Minister Alatas has also indicated that an Indonesian
\nconsulate will be set up in Cape Town. (mds)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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