/ 31 March 1999

Madiba promotes N Ireland peace

President Nelson Mandela on Wednesday urged parties involved in the faltering Northern Ireland peace talks to seek agreement ahead of the anniversary of the Good Friday accord. Mandela, in a formal message of support, said South Africa’s own experience in overcoming the divisions of centuries showed that even the deepest and most difficult problems could be resolved through talks and negotiation. His message, his office said, followed telephone calls he made earlier this week to leaders involved in the negotiations, during which he offered encouragement in their “quest for peace”. “The Good Friday agreement has our full support, because we believe that its final implementation will assure Northern Ireland of the better future it deserves, a future of lasting peace based on democracy and respect for human rights,” Mandela said in his formal message.