With Clinton at his side in a joint news conference, Mandela
also lectured the United States on making peace with its enemies.
"The United States, as the willful leader of the world, should
set an example to all of us," Mandela said. "One of the best ways
of doing so is to call upon its enemies to say, 'Let's sit down and
talk peace."'
Mandela, who met privately with Clinton before facing reporters,
also offered a vigorous defense of his loyalties to Iran, Cuban
leader Fidel Castro and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, all of whom
supported him in his battles against South Africa's apartheid
regime.
The first U.S. president to visit this former pariah nation,
Clinton said it is in America's "profound interest to support the
positive changes in Africa's life." He told Mandela: "I am deeply
pleased that we are committed to harnessing the winds of change
together."
The leaders spoke outside the 200-year-old Tuynhuis government
building, which houses Mandela's offices, and then flew by
helicopter to Robben Island. Arm-in-arm they visited Section B,
prison cell No. 5, the cramped, gray cell where Mandela was jailed
for 18 years in his struggle against apartheid.
"Thank God that the person who occupied the cell was able to
live all those years in that way without having his heart turned to
stone, without giving up on his dream for South Africa," Clinton
said.
Mandela called Clinton's visit a "high water mark" in
U.S.-African relations, and said he respects Clinton and first lady
Hillary Rodham Clinton — "whatever mistakes they have made" —
for
trying to improve those relations.
"President Clinton, as well as the first lady, Hillary, they
have the correct instincts on the major international questions
facing the world today," Mandela said. "For that reason, I hold
him ... in high respect."
The two leaders left unresolved the question of South African
support for Clinton's plan to build a United Nations-led
peacekeeping force for Africa. Mandela said he supports the
premise, but could not participate in military exercises under
outside command.
"I certainly would never put my troops under somebody who does
not belong to Africa," Mandela said.
While unapologetic for political alliances that Clinton does not
share, Mandela did issue a call for democratic reform in nations
"where there are no popular institutions at all but they are able
to look after their people."
Mandela noted that, just as today he received Clinton, he has
welcomed Castro, Gadhafi and former Iranian President Hashemi
Rafsanjani, and will remain loyal to them.
"We should not abandon those who helped us in the darkest hour
of the history of this country," Mandela said. "They gave us the
resources for us to conduct the struggle (against apartheid) and to
win.
"Those South Africans who have berated me for being loyal to
our friends, literally they can go and throw themselves into a
pool," he said.
Clinton said he sought Mandela's advice on Nigeria, a major
supplier of U.S. oil wracked by human rights abuses under the
autocratic rule of Gen. Sani Abacha.
Clinton also backed away from his administration's insistence
that Abacha completely relinquish power. He said today that he
would seek to push Abacha toward "genuine democracy and respect
for human rights," starting with elections and the release of
political prisoners.
"If he stands for election, we hope he will stand as a
civilian," Clinton said. "There are many military leaders who
have taken over chaotic situations in African countries but have
moved toward democracy. That can happen in Nigeria, ... sooner
rather than later I hope."
Clinton and Mandela tackled a large agenda built around a
burgeoning trade partnership they hope will send ripples of
prosperity through other African economies.
Tonight, they will attend a state dinner at the posh Vergelegen
Wine Estates, site of several state dinners, including one for
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
Mandela will present Clinton with South Africa's highest honor,
the Order of Good Hope — the same tribute Mandela gave to Gadhafi.
"The president will accept that in the great spirit that it's
given," White House spokesman Mike McCurry said.
Today's events marked the only official state visit of Clinton's
12-day African tour. He will spend Saturday in Johannesburg and
dedicate a commercial center named for the late Commerce Secretary
Ron Brown, an advocate for trade with Africa, before heading to
Botswana.
© 1998 Associated Press
© Reuters Ltd.