Issued by Office of the Presidency
7 July 2000
After the announcement that Germany had been given the responsibility to host the 2006 Soccer World Cup Finals, President Thabo Mbeki wrote to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, MP.
In his letter, President Mbeki thanked the Prime Minister and the government of New Zealand for their support for the South African and African bid.
He expressed his confidence that the support the Prime Minister had expressed genuinely reflected her view and that of the people of New Zealand as a whole.
He indicated that he was confident that the abstention of Mr. Dempsey during the final round of the FIFA Executive voting process was contrary to her view, her government and people, as well as the football authorities of New Zealand and Oceania.
Much as the people of South Africa and the rest of Africa deplore Mr. Dempsey's action, President Mbeki assured the Prime Minister of his conviction that she, her government and the people of New Zealand are genuine friends of our country and people, as they demonstrated by their involvement in the struggle against apartheid.
The President is assured that the New Zealand Government is instituting measures to get to the bottom of this matter.
President Mbeki appeals to the South African, African and other peoples to show patience and appreciation that the Government and sporting authorities did what they could, legally and morally, to support our bid.
President Mbeki would like to assure the people of New Zealand that our relations would in no way be harmed by actions of a member of the FIFA Executive, over which they have no control.
Enquiries:
Tasneem Carrim
Communications
Office of the Presidency
Tel: +27 (0) 12 319 1500
Fax: +27 (0) 12 323 8246
Cell: +27 (0) 83 650 7119