Issued by: Office of the President
MEDIA STATEMENT
President Nelson Mandela is pleased with the discussions he had with the leadership of the different opposition parties in the country today about the findings of the Mohamed Commission.
The President briefed the parties comprehensively about the processes and consultations which preceded the announcement on the future of General Georg Meiring.
The opposition parties emphasised while they differed with the government of the day on a variety of issues, they believed that there was a need for national consensus on issues relating to the security of the state and expressed satisfaction that the allegations of a plot to overthrow the government were proven to be false.
The President notes the serious concern registered by the opposition parties about the leakage of the so-called "Meiring" report to the media and has undertaken to institute a thorough investigation into the circumstances under which the report was leaked.
The meeting discussed the publication of both reports and by mutual agreement, decided the report of the Mohamed Commission will be made available to the leaders of the opposition parties on a confidential basis.
Further, the opposition parties will be afforded the opportunity to read the so-called Meiring report. This, again by mutual consent, will happen within the premises of the President's Office and no copies will be made available to the leaders of the parties.
The President applauds the responsible manner in which the leaders have approached this matter and gives the assurance that his Office will be most helpful on any matter relating to the current developments.
Issued by the Office of the President 7 March 1998