Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo called for the rapid implementation of the Wye River Memorandum, especially by Israel of its undertaking to release Palestinian prisoners as a confidence-building measure. Minister Nzo also reiterated South Africa's strongly-held belief that negotiations are the only alternative in the search for peace in the Middle East.
Minister Nzo made these comments after meeting with a Special Envoy of President Yasser Arafat, Dr As'ad Abdul Rahman, in Pretoria today. Minister Nzo was given a comprehensive briefing on developments since the signing of the Wye River Memorandum by Dr Abdul Rahman. The Special Envoy also conveyed a personal message to President Mandela from President Arafat.
The meeting took place shortly before a function hosted by the United Nations Information Office in South Africa, to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, during which Minister Nzo will deliver a message on behalf of President Mandela.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PRETORIA 25 NOVEMBER 1998