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President Mbeki congratulates President
Festus Mogae on Re-Election as President of Botswana
President Thabo Mbeki, today - Monday, 1 November 2004
- telephonically extended South Africa's congratulations
to President Festus Mogae on his re-election as President
of Botswana following weekend elections.
President Mbeki said, "please accept, on behalf
of the government and people of South Africa, our congratulations
on your re-election as the President of the Republic
of Botswana."
"As a strong supporter of the Southern Africa
Development Community (SADC), the African Union (AU)
and the new partnership for Africa's development your
re-election bodes well for the further implementation
and consolidation of both the African agenda through
AU institutions and NEPAD, as Africa's socio-economic
development programme, in your country and region."
President Mbeki continued, "In line with the decisions
of SADC and AU we are encouraged by the continuously
strengthening institutions of democracy throughout the
continent. The close fraternal relations between the
people and governments of South Africa and Botswana
finds expression in the Joint Permanent Commission for
Co-operation, which was signed by both our Ministers
of Foreign Affairs in March 2003. Within this framework,
links between our two countrie have expanded and filtered
down to all levels of our societies, including interactions
amongst government, business, NGOs, academic institutions
and ordinary citizens."
On behalf of the government and people of South Africa,
"May I take this opportunity to also convey my
best wishes for Your Excellency's personal good health,
prosperity for the Republic of Botswana and a successful
and pleasant term of office," concluded President
Mbeki.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
1 November 2004
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