Mandela won't meet Bush

2003-06-29 18:07

Pretoria - A meeting between former president Nelson Mandela and US President George W Bush had never been on the cards, South Africa's foreign ministry said on Sunday ahead of Bush's trip to Africa.

Mandela has called Bush a president who "cannot think properly" and this week expressed renewed anti-American sentiments.

South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said at a media briefing on the upcoming visit: "Madiba (as Mandela is affectionately known) is one of the world's greatest statesment. He has been known to say what he thinks... I am not unhappy. Mandela's statements are his statements. It's his view.

The remark came in answer to a question on whether the government was upset about Mandela's renewed criticism of Bush.

Mandela this week praised France for opposing the war on Iraq during a visit by French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin.

"(French President Jacques) Chirac took the correct attitude not to support the war. He is in favour of peace," Mandela said on Friday.

Asked whether he would say this to Bush during his visit, Mandela replied: "Do not assume that he will meet with me - I know he is coming to see President Thabo Mbeki but I am not sure if he wants to see me.

"I have said what I wanted to say about the war and I will not repeat myself," Mandela said.

Pahad said Sunday that a meeting between Bush and Mandela had never "been on the cards."

Mandela's spokesperson, Zelda la Grange, told the Sunday Times newspaper: "We will be out of the country during Bush's visit so it is out of the question. But they have also not asked for a meeting."

Bush is due to visit Africa from July 7 - 12 to discuss a range of issues, including the war in Iraq of which South Africa and Mandela was particularly critical.

The trip is important to South Africa since 40% of its total foreign investment comes from the United States.

- AFX