Issued by: Truth and Reconciliation Commission
October 19, 1996
President Nelson Mandela has agreed to a meeting with Truth and Reconciliation Commission representatives to discuss the request to extend the Commission's brief to May 1994.
This follows the announcement by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, chairperson of the Commission, and Dr Alex Boraine, Vice Chairperson, yesterday that the Commission would propose that Parliament extend its mandate to cover the period from December 1993 - the present cut-off date - to the day of President Mandela's inauguration.
Archbishop Tutu said in a statement today:
"I have had a preliminary exchange of views with President Mandela and we have agreed that it is not something we can discuss fully over the telephone.
"It was not possible for us to meet this weekend, and I am in Paris until Tuesday, so we shall arrange a meeting as soon as possible after my return.
"The Commission is keen that our work should be as inclusive as possible. We do not feel that extending the date would further the impression that people can commit crimes with impunity - the Commission is a temporary body which stops operating in just over a year's time."
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