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South African Government's Message of
Condolences on the Death of President Yasser Arafat
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini
Zuma, today, 11 November 2004 in Cape Town, announced
that President Thabo Mbeki will attend the funeral of
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, scheduled for Friday
12 November 2004.
President Mbeki in Cape Town joined the international
community in expressing sorrow and a deep sense of sadness
at the passing away of that icon of the Palestinian
struggle, President Yasser Arafat.
"It is indeed difficult to accept that the greatest
leader of the Palestinian people Yasser Arafat, with
whom we have shared so many trials and tribulations,
has ceased to lead.
History will record that President Arafat epitomised
that rare breed of leaders whose lives were defined
by the unflinching sacrifices they made in the noble
and just cause of the struggle of their peoples.
It will record that despite the hardship, suffering
and pain imposed by trying circumstances that defined
their lives, they continued to draw inspiration from
the knowledge that the struggle for freedom offers the
only hope out of the darkest times.
It will record that he gave hope to millions of the
downtrodden and despised, by instilling in them the
knowledge and consciousness that despite current difficulties,
they hold the gift of freedom in their hands.
It is this legacy that President Arafat has bestowed
upon millions of Palestinians that will continue to
inspire his people to forge ahead with the struggle
to establish a sovereign independent Palestinian state
co- existing peacefully side by side with an Israeli
state.
The Government and people of South Africa will continue
to lend a hand in working with the peoples and leadership
of the region as well as the international community
in the development of a comprehensive, just and lasting
solution in the Middle East.
Indeed, President Arafat dedicated his entire life
and strength to the finest cause in all the world- the
fight for the liberation of all peoples.
As we join the international community, in mourning
such a great a leader, we feel greatly honoured to have
been part of his life as much as he too was part of
ours, in the commitment to bring about a better life
for all the world's people.
We express our conviction that the Palestinian National
Authority will continue with the legacy that President
Arafat bestowed upon them in the quest for freedom,
peace and justice."
President Thabo Mbeki, the Government and people of
South Africa dip their banners in solemn memory of this
giant and gallant hero of the Palestinian peoples. Consequently,
and on behalf of the government and people of SA, President
Mbeki extends our heartfelt condolences to Suha, his
widow, members of the bereaved family, the Palestinian
National Authority, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation
and the people of Palestine during this time of sadness.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
11 November 2004
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