RI cheers Mandela's election

RI cheers Mandela's election

JAKARTA (JP): The government yesterday warmly greeted the
inauguration of Nelson Mandela as South Africa's first black
President.

Mandela's election victory was the result of the South African
people's struggle in their fight against apartheid, the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"Mandela's victory as South African president through the
first ever non-racial election is not just a historic occasion,
but an event anticipated by the international community."

Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas was on hand
in Pretoria to attend yesterday's inauguration in place of
President Soeharto. During his South African sojourn, Alatas met
with Mandela and handed him an invitation to visit Indonesia in
the near future.

In his inaugural address on Monday, Mandela made a special
mention of Indonesia, of what he called "patriots" from Indonesia
some 300 years ago arriving to the Cape of Good Hope to begin the
fateful convergence of the peoples of Africa, Europe and Asia.

"It was to this peninsula that the patriots, among them many
princes and scholars, of Indonesia were dragged in chains. It was
on the sandy plains of this peninsula that the first battles of
the epic wars of resistance were fought," Mandela said.

Indonesia sent 15 observers and donated money to help ensure
the smooth running of the elections there.

Indonesia has stated its commitment to upgrade its liaison
office in Johannesburg to a full embassy after the establishment
of the new government.

Minister Alatas has also indicated that an Indonesian
consulate will be set up in Cape Town. (mds)