The Department of Foreign Affairs has announced that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat flew into Pretoria late this afternoon for urgent discussions with the South African Government regarding his intention to declare a Palestinian State on 4 May 1999.
President Arafat's visit is related to South Africa's current Chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement.
President Arafat arrived in South Africa following a stop-over in Zimbabwe earlier today, where he met with President Robert Mugabe in Harare.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
12 APRIL 1999