Mandela's wit boosts RI-South Africa links

JAKARTA (JP): With witty eloquence, South African President Nelson Mandela charmed his audience at a state banquet here last night, adding an air of ease to a normally very formal affair.

"My frequent visits (to this region), I assure you, are not only in pursuit of your fine weather, or your good food or your fine sense of hospitality. It is because of the importance of which South Africa attaches to this part of the world," Mandela said in his address at the banquet hosted by President Soeharto.

"Mr. President, the motto of your country is 'unity in diversity'. I have seen this motto also written in Bahasa Indonesia, but I will refrain from attempting to pronounce it. I might cause more diversity than unity in doing so!"

Mandela arrived in Jakarta for a three-day state visit yesterday morning after spending Sunday on the holiday resort island of Bali.

This is his third visit to Indonesia. His previous visits were in his capacity as chairman of the African National Congress.

Never one to be bridled by strict protocol, Mandela arrived at Merdeka Palace in a colorful, batik shirt. Looking a bit stiff, the 78-year-old Mandela had to be helped up the palace steps by Soeharto, who wore a dark suit.

Great attention was given to Mandela's companion, Graca Machel, the widow of former Mozambique president Samora Machel.

Machel was described by State protocol in the official delegation list as "official companion of the President".

During the banquet, Machel sat next to Soeharto. A place usually reserved for visiting first ladies.

Sandwiching Soeharto, again in a suit, Mandela and Machel wore matching light-purple batik shirts.

Soeharto praised Mandela as a "die hard" independence fighter and a sincere humanitarian warrior.

Both leaders spoke of the close ties bonding the two countries stemming back from a common colonial legacy.

"In the colonial era, Cape Town in South Africa was once under the administration of the Dutch Governor General in Batavia," Soeharto said referring to the old name of Jakarta.

"About 400,000 descendants of our independence heroes who were expelled to South Africa have now become your citizens and work together for the future of your country," he said.

As a memento, Soeharto presented Mandela with a new, light- brown batik shirt.

The two leaders will get down to more stately business today as they hold bilateral talks and witness the signing of the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation by Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas and his South African counterpart, A.B. Nzo.

Indonesian nonoil exports to South Africa in 1996 stood at US$108 million and its imports totaled $167 million.

Later this afternoon Mandela will meet members of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and hold a press conference in the evening at the State Guest House.

Meanwhile, Machel will visit Pasaraya in Blok M and Danar Hadi Batik Gallery in Melawai, South Jakarta, to shop for batik. She will be accompanied by Mrs Yunisa Alatas.

Mandela and his entourage will leave for Bangkok tomorrow morning. (06)