CAPE TOWN, 11 AUGUST 1998
Dear friend, President Nelson Mandela
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
Allow me your Excellency, to express to you and to your friendly people on behalf of the Palestinian people and on my own behalf, my great pleasure to with you and with your deep rooted people on the soil of your generous country, the Republic of South Afr ica, the country which the entire world look with admiration to its leading experiment of long national struggle, inventive and creative coexistence between all the peoples of the homeland, without any discrimination and on basis of fraternity, democracy a nd equality in rights and duties. Your giant experiment shall remain the lightened lamp to our peoples and to the peoples of the world, to enable them to establish the modern democratic society on the ground of higher ethical and political values which the human thought has invented and the experiments of peoples and historical events have polished.
The Palestinian people and their leadership are looking with great admiration to your unique human and struggling experiment, which was registered by the human history. Your great sacrifices over the last decades which was culminated by a decisive triumph through new daybreak and the originated of a great nation on democratic basis have realized the dream to you and to your friendly people that you have struggle for. That was the emanation of new South Africa. Which enjoys the respect of all combatant peopl es This is because your country is today the brighten minaret for peace, freedom and democracy, as it is also a strong supporter to all peoples to achieve peace, freedom, justice and creative humanitarian coexistence.
I would like to express to your Excellency our high admiration with the social and economic performances, as well as, the democratic changes that you have achieved within the program of development and reconstruction. This help your esteemed government to go forward to realize your promised dream in economic and social reconstruction and to continue the process of development to achieve more progress and prosperity to your friendly people.
Your firm and honorific positions, Mr President, enjoy the respect of the Palestinian people and his leadership. Also your unique experiment is considered and ideal and a source of inspiration to us, to enrich our experiment in our just struggle. Your supp orting and backing up to our rights deserves our high appreciation. It shall tighten our strength and solidify our trust and hope to achieve our promised goals in freedom and independence.
It is a pleasure to me, your Excellency, to meet you once again on your gracious soil by attending this kind ceremony, in a cordial atmosphere, full of spirit of peace and friendship. I would like to express to your Excellency, our deep gratitude and appre ciation to what my delegation and I have met of warm welcome, reception and generous hospitality in your friendly country.
It also honored me, Mr President, to have this opportunity to meet you to exchange views and consultations and to discuss issues of common concern. I also seize this kind opportunity to make use of your right opinions and rich experiment that you have obta ined from your long stubborn struggle defending human rights and for freedom, justice and national sovereignty that was realized to your friendly country and people through your tremendous sacrifices under your courageous and wise leadership. With this str ong and distinguish relation between our two peoples and countries, we are continuing the consolidation of the eminent struggling relation which was established between the two revolutions of our peoples for the sake of liberation and independence over the past years.
I have to extend to your Excellency, my great appreciation and gratitude for honoring me by granting this high medal. I consider this, a honoring to the Palestinian people, to his children, prisoners, wounded people and combatants, who continue waging the battle of national independence, freedom and sovereignty with the support of all friends and the lover of justice, peace and democracy.
Dear friend
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen
The close relations that correlate the friendly Republic of South Africa with all countries that love peace, as well as, your clear contribution in affecting and interacting with the world policies. Strengthen our confident and hope to continue and activat e our constructive fraternal cooperation
To achieve our common aspirations towards a world of more safety, democratic, humanitarian and equity between all peoples.
May peace and God's Blessing be with you