We won't turn our back on Gaddafi - Nelson Mandela

SPEECH BY PRESIDENT NELSON MANDELA AT A LUNCHEON IN HONOUR OF MUAMAR QADDAFI, LEADER OF THE REVOLUTION OF THE LIBYAN JAMAHARIYA, Cape Town, 13 June 1999

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Your Excellencies
Distinguished Guests
And My Dear Brother Leader

Those who dedicate themselves to causes affecting the lives of millions ought to have a clear understanding of history. They should plan their actions with a sense of their impact on those for whom they believe they act.

I know, My Brother Leader, that you and I, who have both been privileged and obliged by circumstance to be in such positions, have each in our own way tried to be true to that responsibility. Even so, we could not have planned things in such a way that you would be the last head of state I would officially receive on a bilateral basis before retiring from public office.

I am happy that it did, by chance, transpire this way.

The relationship between our two selves and between Libya and democratic South Africa has not been without controversy and therefore some special significance in world affairs.

As a responsible member of the international community of nations, South Africa would never defy predominant international opinion deliberately and merely for effect. This is a particular responsibility in a world that is fraught with possibilities of misunderstanding and consequent conflict and conflagration.

We remain convinced that respect for our multilateral bodies and compliance with their decisions, is crucial to stability, development and progress in a world still marked by tension, inequality and backwardness. This is so even where we may disagree as individual nations with those decisions.

In a world where the strong may seek to impose upon the more vulnerable; and where particular nations or groups of nations may still seek to decide the fate of the planet - in such a world respect for multilateralism, moderation of public discourse and a patient search for compromise become even more imperative to save the world from debilitating conflict and enduring inequality.

When we dismissed criticism of our friendship with yourself, My Brother Leader, and of the relationship between South Africa and Libya, it was precisely in defence of those values.

There must be a kernel of morality also to international behaviour. Of course, nations must place their own interests high on the list of considerations informing their international relations. But the amorality which decrees that might is right can not be the basis on which the world conducts itself in the next century.

It was pure expediency to call on democratic South Africa to turn its back on Libya and Qaddafi, who had assisted us in obtaining democracy at a time when those who now made that call were the friends of the enemies of democracy in South Africa.

Had we heeded those demands, we would have betrayed the very values and attitudes that allowed us as a nation to have adversaries sitting down and negotiating in a spirit of compromise. It would have meant denying that the South African experience could be a model and example for international behaviour.

In many ways, our modest contribution to resolving the Lockerbie issue will remain a highlight of the international aspects of our Presidency. No one can deny that the friendship and trust between South Africa and Libya played a significant part in arriving at this solution. If that be so, it vindicates our view that talking to one another and searching for peaceful solutions remain the surest way to resolve differences and advance peace and progress in the world.

We look forward with joy and anticipation to the full re-entry of Libya into the affairs of our continent and the world.

We have already seen Libya take up its role as an important actor on the African continent to help advance the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

South Africa is proud to acknowledge the coincidence between its own position and SADC's, on the one hand, and that of Libya on the other. We share the view that peace in the DRC can only be achieved through the withdrawal of all foreign forces and an inclusive political process of Congolese groups.

We appreciate very much Libya's indication that its own efforts will be co-ordinated with those of our regional organisation, SADC. This approach confounds those who suggest that Libya is less than fully committed to multilateralism. My Brother Leader is involved in the Congolese process as a facilitator of the SADC process, just as we were involved in the Lockerbie issue as facilitators for the United Nations. In such ways we advance the ideals of multilateral co-operation and discipline. And for that we thank our Brother Leader and the Libyan people.

It was with much appreciation that I received reports from my Minister of Trade and Industry about our recent trade delegation to Libya. The friendly political relations between our two countries are now being consolidated and deepened through trade. We look forward to South African companies and Libyan entities bridging our continent from North to South in concrete expressions of African unity.

My Brother Leader, I know that in the abstemious conditions of the North African desert it is not the custom to propose a toast. We are, however, overwhelmed by at last having here on this southern tip of Africa one of the revolutionary icons of our times.

I shall therefore take the liberty to invite our guests to rise and raise their glasses with me in salute to Muamar Qaddafi, our Brother Leader of the Revolution of the Libyan Jamahariya, and to growing friendship between the people of our two countries.

Issued by the Office of the President, June 13 1999

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Mandela made a high-profile visit to Libya in 1997 when he presented the colonel with South Africa's highest award, the Order of Good Hope.... Indonesia's then President Suharto was another recipient of the Order of Good Hope. Mandela visited Indonesia the year after his release from prison. He declined to speak publicly in favour of hundreds of political prisoners or criticise the repression in East Timor. He told reporters not to ask Suharto any difficult questions. Years later, Mandela's administration abstained from a United Nations vote condemning Indonesia's occupation of East Timor.... Along the way, Mandela has scooped up hundreds of millions of dollars for ANC coffers from his dubious hosts. He has praised President Suharto for his 'generous financial assistance' to the ANC. Mandela's office refused to say exactly how generous the former Indonesian leader was but President Mahathir Mohamed of Malaysia and Saudi Arabia's King Fahd each stumped up $ 50m. In May, the Chinese gave Mandela a fat cheque toward helping get Thabo Mbeki elected. Gadafy has long been generous. He even paid the cost of Winnie Mandela's defence in her kidnapping trial."

Chris McGreal, The Guardian, June 17 1999

 

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Aaah my brother-leader... Aaah, guilty by association. The Black Sash Ladies and SAcan Liberals love and loved Nelson Mandela unconditionally. Nelson Mandela calls Mohammar his "brother-leader" and must therefor love him as a brother (after all, he . .more bestowed SAca;s highest honour, the Order of Good Hope, on Mohammar, whose men are now killings their own people in the streets of Tripoli). Thus, by the transitive rule of formal logic, it follows that the Black Sash Ladies and SAcan Liberals who loves Nelson Mandela unconditionally, must love Mohammar as a brother-leader. . .less by JVR on February 22 2011, 00:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Aaah my brother-leader... Nelson Mandela calls Mohammar his "brother-leader" and must therefor love him as a brother (after all, he bestowed SAca;s highest honour, the Order of Good Hope, on Mohammar, whose men are now killings their own people in the streets of . .more Tripoli). Thus, by the transitive rule of formal logic, it follows that the Black Sash Ladies and SAcan Liberals who loves Nelson Mandela unconditionally, must love Mohammar as a brother-leader. . .less by JVR on February 22 2011, 00:12 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

by anonymous on February 22 2011, 04:11 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

by anonymous on February 22 2011, 07:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

by anonymous on February 22 2011, 08:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

by anonymous on February 22 2011, 11:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

by anonymous on February 22 2011, 12:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Selective flashbacks... Why do you have to bring up the past. I could regale you with a lot of apartheid facts by Free burger on February 22 2011, 13:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

All flashbacks welcome @Free burger Guilty conscience or something similar? Why do you assume I won't enjoy to be reminded of other people's - and not only Mandela's - idiocies too? by Vryburger on February 22 2011, 14:11 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Gaddafi Gaddafi was a dictator in 1969 and he is the same name now(He was also the same in 1999). Castro (and his brother) was a dictator when he took over power from Babtista and they are the same now.Mugabe was also a "democrat". Mugabe will soon die and a . .more "General" will take over to further build on the "glorious" work of Mugabe. We can go on and on regarding ANC buddies. The "democratic" ANC killed thousands of non-loyalists in African countries like Zambie and also in South Africa. Remember Shell House? Mandela even hosted Charles Taylor on the "blue train". Mandela only became "friendly" after Ramaphosa gave Roelfie and co a good hiding. The ANC was a dictatorship in 1994 and they will be the same in 2020 or 2030. JVR is right. The DA loved the ANC. The Nats look good compared to the ANC thugs. A Federation would have been a better option. . .less by Republican on February 22 2011, 15:09 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

George W Bush Where is George when you realy need him. number 43 would have done something.about Gaddafi. Where is obama?. Conservative, "neocons" and right libertarians know how to sort out dictators. Liberals are to "soft". Conservatives and brought the Soviet Union . .more to its knees. . .less by Republican on February 22 2011, 15:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mandela and Gedaffi After having read Gedaffi Wiki who orchestrated a bloodless coup d'etat in Libya and professed it a socialist country for the people etc. A colourful character with amazingly confusing type of benevolent characteristics in a diverse adverse world, . .more it is completely understandable Madiba's take on the man 12 yrs ago. The entire piece written above was about peace and stability. I quote "We would have betrayed the very values that allowed us as a nation to have adversaries sitting down and negotiating in the spirit of compromise " Madiba's involvement with the Lockerbie issue was also commendable. He was for a full trial. Look it up. Gedaffi compensated the victims. Remember war monger Bush was in charge at the time. The ANC was regarded as a terrorist organisation as well. See where he was coming from Madiba had already sniffed the dark side of Mugabe and was not taken by him at all in the end. Also had Madiba been Zuma's age now , I sincerely doubt that he would have supported what is going on in Africa today, twelve yrs later. I sincerely doubt that the looting and deals going on would have been sanctioned by him at all. I believe he would have had more in common with Helen Zille than any of of the people in gov today with the exception of minister Motsoledi . He had an exceptional ability to listen and decide. . .less by DM on February 22 2011, 19:55 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@JVR "...whose men are now killings their own people in the streets..." Just like the boere did in the days of apartheid. by Jeff on February 22 2011, 20:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Republican "The DA loved the ANC" and the Nats loved the Nats. Actually the DA loved democracy, and they may have been naive in falling for some ANC treachery. However that's a damn sight better than being a fascist and living in some utopian past for boere. by Jeff on February 22 2011, 20:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Stupid Jeff You must be refering to sharpeville and Soweto. Live amminition was used and although 60 people died it happened against a background where previously policestations were stormed. Whatever the reasons for the police shootings it was uncalled for. So was . .more the killings of thousands of Afrikaner people in the boer wars. Apartheid killings was mild in comparison to the Boer wars. It was not a black on white war it was basically a black on black war (IFP,ANC,PAC)In short:"Afrikaners" were guilty. They were however not the only "guilty" ones. Besides what have the "BOERS" got to do with Gadaffi and Mandela? "White Rhodesia" also killed and so did Mugabe. Mugabe is even worse then Smith.The ANC is even worse then the Nats.The ANC/MK went on a shopping spree in the 70s, 80s and 90s "Boers" dont Kill "Boers" but Gadaffi are now even killing deserters from his own tribe. Please your pathelogic hate for Afrikaners are getting a bit greepy . .less by Republican on February 22 2011, 20:45 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

DEMOCRACY Democracy in Africa doesnt mean the same democracy as in the west. In Zimbabwe Smith had to make way for Mugabe the Marxist. A socalled 'democrat". Liberals seem to "naively" underestimate the ways of Arica and also Southern Africa. Swaziland is also a . .more dictatorship right under our noses.. Democracy in Africa is of no use if the dictator who took control of the previous government dont want to give up power or "beats".his subject till they "vote" right. We should rather look at other forms of democracy in South Africa. PS SORRY ABOUT THE "STUPID' REMARK . .less by Republican on February 22 2011, 21:05 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

anonymous Considering Politicsweb was not accessible for the best part of the day, and that after a number of attempts to aire comments the efforts of "anonymous", seem to be deleted. Why too close for comfort? by Opem Minded on February 23 2011, 17:48 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Will the ANC stand by Gaddafi at the UN and the AU, give him refugee status? Now will the ANC, who bestowed the Order of Good Hope, SA's highest Civilian Honour (this is like being Knighted by the Queen in AngloLand), on Colonel Qaddafi, stand by their man? Will the ANC come out openly, at the UN or at the African . .more Union, and stand by Mohammar, whom Nelson Mandela held in such high esteem, and on whom the ANC men bestowed the Order of Good Hope? Will you supply Muhammar with weapons, and will you send Umhkuntu so go and fight for the Colonel? After all, President Mandela indicated that the ANC has a debt to repay - he helped when the ANC was needy, now he is needy, will the ANC help him out? Will you give Muhammar, a Recipient of South Africa's highest Award, at least refugee status in South Africa, if he is made to flee Libya? Will the ANC stand by their man? . .less by JVR on February 23 2011, 20:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Gaddafi's friends and associates Good riddance to this evil man...what you sow you will reap and if you live by the sword then...enough said. Those who fraternised with him are now shown their true alliances and colours. I used to admire Madiba but when I saw him embrace that evil . .more thug Castro and how he patronised the likes of Gaddafi...well sadly that has to change. I hope Gaddafi has the hottest seat in hell along with Bin Laden,Sadam Hussein,Hitler,Stalin and all those that damaged and destroyed mankind...so be it. . .less by Inyati on October 22 2011, 10:00 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Gaddafi A sad day in Libia. The only thing that was killing Libia's civilians was N.A.T.O. by minus-006 on October 25 2011, 13:10 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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