Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Alfred Nzo, made the following statement in Cape Town today:
"I was shocked to learn of the tragic news of the death of Mr Alioune Blondin Beye, the United Nations Secretary General's Special Representative to Angola, in an aircraft accident in the Ivory Coast on 26 June 1998.
Mr Beye's tragic death will be felt by all who assisted him in his tireless and determined efforts to secure the long sought-after peace in Angola. In his countless meetings with Ministers and officials of the South African Government Mr Beye always displayed a passionate desire to promote the best interests of the Angolan people, in their protracted search to fully implement the Lusaka Protocol . His dream of a binding and durable peace in Angola is one he carried with him from his days as Foreign Minister of Mali. May his untimely death serve to further galvanize the forces of peace at this critical stage of the implementation process.
On behalf of the South African Government I extend my sincerest condolences to the Government of Mali, to Mr Beye's family and to the families of the other passengers and crew who perished in the accident."
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS CAPE TOWN 28 JUNE 1998