SOUTH AFRICA: YASSER ARAFAT MEETS NELSON MANDELA

(11 Aug 1998) English/Nat
President Nelson Mandela awarded the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat South Africa's highest honour for foreigners at a ceremony in Cape Town.
Arafat is on a three-day visit to South Africa, aimed at cementing ties that go back to when the African National Congress was fighting white rule and Arafat headed the Palestinian Liberation Organisation as an exile.
Afterwards, Arafat condemned the terrorist attacks on the U-S embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The Palestinian leader was accorded the formal welcome of a full head of state in Cape Town on Tuesday.
This is an indication of the respect the South African president Nelson Mandela has for his long time supporter Yasser Arafat.
The two of them inspected a military parade and listened to the Palestinian national anthem as part of the ceremony to honour Arafat.
In giving Arafat the Order of Good Hope, (Class One Grand
Cross Gold) Mandela is recognising the support given to the A-N-C by him and the Palestine Liberation Organisation while Mandela was spending 27 years in prison.
Arafat joins the ranks of previous recipients such as French President Jacques Chirac, U-S President Bill Clinton as well as the Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and former Indonesia President Suharto.
They are all recognised for their support of the A-N-C's struggle against apartheid.
In return Arafat presented Mandela with the Star of Holy Jerusalem medal.
He praised Mandela for bringing democracy to South Africa as well as supporting the creation of a Palestinian state.
Afterwards Arafat condemned the attacks on the U-S embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We condemn it completely, and we (are) against all these activities. We are looking for peace and just peace everywhere and I have sent my letters to his excellency President Clinton carrying my condolences and also to the presidents of Kenya and Tanzania. Till now we don't know but we are trying to coordinate with all our friends to arrive to the sources who are behind all these terrorist activities."
SUPER CAPTION: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat
Arafat will also hold talks with Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and the leaders of all South Africa's largest opposition parties.
It was Arafat's first visit since South Africa and the Palestinian autonomous government established diplomatic ties in 1995.
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[@gedenironald8635]

As an indigenous South African, I was very saddened by the killing of his highness Mr Yasser Arafat. He was one of my biggest global icons. My God remember Palestine and her people, free them from the apartheid state of Israel. Long live the spirit of Yasser Arafat and Professor Robert Sobukwe.

[@marcohvac8902]

Thank you brother...Mr mandela was an icon and him and Mr Arafat had a bond of being men wanting to help their people and people in general but the media made them look bad

[@akramtobbieh8858]

two great leaders fought for rights land freedom for there people. RIP two great men

[@noam3226]

only one of these people are great

[@moldovananti-zionist6276]

Both of them are great

[@puccarati]

@@noam3226 yo why are you so racist man nelson was great too man!

[@palestinian3937]

@@noam3226 Nah both of them Nelson mandela really helped his country while Yasser even got a nobel peace prize.

[@adamstinger2496]

The great leaders who fought for their people freedom and justice. Rest in peace president Arafat and Mandela. World need such great persons

[@Eddy.user-pq5fg2bf7s]

I respect both of them. Today I'm living freely because of them❤❤❤

[@amnakhan1186]

RIP Arafat and Mandela, may God grant both of these freedom fighters paradise.

[@nunogomes5705]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🇵🇸🇿🇦🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@mfumukongo9219]

Deux grandes personnes personnalités ayant défendus des grands combats pour la libération et la grandeur de leurs peuples. Ils ne sont pas morts, car ils résident dans nos cœurs à jamais. Merci pour tout.

[@khanimran1238]

Two great men

[@ClubisteM]

Anti Apartheid Heroes ❤️🕊️

[@user-de9el9pk6x]

R.I.P to two of the greatest my heart still bleeds for such greatness😢

[@garaadali1463]

Rest In jannah the late arafat 😍

[@jibreelangel6314]

✊✊✊✊✊✊✊💪💪💪💪fighting for right

[@loulaahmed5403]

Respect

[@aleermathiang7124]

Comrade at arm Arafat the great.

[@giovannidemey6233]

with his shacking hands he gifted him a simple honour thats worth its weight in gold for eternity.

[@faiksadek4967]

عقال العز عقالك يا أبو عمار... الله يرحم ترابك🇵🇸❤️

[@tibiv.2293]

المقبور ابو اوسلو

[@salvadorarturovelazquezcro8759]

Two Titans

[@bannersxyz]

He was certainly made more aware than mlk during his lifetime. Which mlk would have had he not been murdered. I am sure.

[@ae6547]

No ways. This was Madiba.

[@abdrahmanebah7816]

Ich mag jasharafat und madiba

[@tman651]

👍

[@tonecitx2105]

Ok Texas👏🏿🤲🏿 💪🏿

[@willvanness1367]

I personally am by-and-large "VERY", "VERY" "UN-RESPONSIVE" toward Yassar Arafat and Nelson Mandela !!!. I personally do not have "NATURAL" "AFFECTION" toward either one of these "2" Men !!!. Yours truly Will VanNess

[@sunshineb7006]

Good for you?

[@kauadomingues5096]

Maldito Arafat