President Thabo Mbeki Extends South Africa’s Condolences to Spain Following Recent Plane Crash

Pretoria – South African President Thabo Mbeki, today Thursday 21 August 2008, on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, as well as on his own behalf, extended South Africa’s deepest condolences to the Spanish King Juan Carlos I and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero following Wednesday’s plane crash at a Madrid airport, in which a number of people died.

In this regard, President Mbeki said “Please accept, Your Excellencies, our heartfelt condolences to the government and citizens of your country occasioned by the recent air crash in your country which saw many of your compatriots losing their most precious asset-lives.”

“Accordingly, we share in the pain and sorrow occasioned by this air tragedy with the government and peoples of Spain and members of the bereaved families” continued President Mbeki

“As the government and people of South Africa we reach out in thoughts and prayers to the government and peoples of Spain and in particular those families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy while wishing those wounded a speedy recovery,” concluded President Mbeki.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria

21 August 2008