SOUTH AFRICA: NELSON MANDELA MEETS ANGOLAN REBEL LEADER SAVIMBI

(7 Jan 1997) Natural Sound

South Africa's President Nelson Mandela met Angolan rebel leader Jonas Savimbi on Tuesday to help seal an end to two decades of war in Angola.

Savimbi, whose future role in Angola remains uncertain, was given a warm welcome by Mandela, who interrupted a holiday to meet him.

President Mandela greets Jonas Savimbi a warm welcome as he arrived for the second day of talks Tuesday, near Umtata, in South Africa's Transkei region.

In an increasing role as an intermediary in African trouble spots, President Mandela interrupted his annual holiday to hold talks with the opposition rebel leader.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner has been advising Savimbi and Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos behind the scenes on the formation of a reconciliation government in the war-ravaged country.

Over 5-hundred thousand people have died Africa's longest running war, which broke out the eve of the nation's independence from Portugal in 1975.

Savimbi is hoping to win Mandela's backing of a reconciliation government.

The meeting got underway nine hours behind schedule on Monday in President Mandela's home town of Gunu, near Umtata.

The delay - caused by bad weather conditions in Angola - didn't deter the high profile delegates, Mandela's top cabinet ministers and the commanders of Savimbi's rebel group.

The naming of a government of national reconciliation in Angola is just 17 days away.
But Savimbi's role, if any, has not been announced.

His participation in the U-N-sponsored peace process is viewed as crucial.

Savimbi has so far rejected a government offer of one of two vice president's posts.

His rebel group - known as UNITA, the National union for the Total Independence of Angola - wants a special status for him as leader of the opposition.

After the meeting the delegates were shown around Mandela's holiday house overlooking the sweeping grasslands of his native Transkei region.

Talks between President Mandela and the rebel leaders are expected to continue Wednesday.

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