Issued by: Office of the President
The Office of the President has noted reports in the media which suggest that President Nelson Mandela played a pivotal role in the release of Dr Kenneth Kaunda from detention in Zambia.
The President would like to indicate that his involvement in efforts to find an outcome that would be favourable to all parties in Zambia does not exceed that of other heads of state in the Southern African region.
The President would also like to point out that Dr Kaunda was released on legal grounds and that regard for the process of law presupposes that court decisions be respected. Considering that Dr Kaunda's freedom was as a result of a court ruling the insinuation that the President was behind the release is not sustainable.
The President is of the view that if anyone is to take credit for any forward movement in resolving the problems of Zambia it is both President Frederick Chiluba and Dr Kenneth Kaunda as well as the people of Zambia.
In his capacity as head of the Southern African Development Community, President Mandela will continue to appraise himself of developments in all the member states.
Issued by the Office of the President 3 June 1998
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