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STATEMENT ON MEETING BETWEEN MINISTER NZO AND PALESTINIAN ENVOY
Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo called for the rapid implementation of the Wye River Memorandum, especially by Israel of its undertaking to release Palestinian prisoners as a confidence-building measure. Minister Nzo also reiterated South Africa's strongly-held belief that negotiations are the only alternative in the search for peace in the Middle East.
Minister Nzo made these comments after meeting with a Special Envoy of President Yasser Arafat, Dr As'ad Abdul Rahman, in Pretoria today. Minister Nzo was given a comprehensive briefing on developments since the signing of the Wye River Memorandum by Dr Abdul Rahman. The Special Envoy also conveyed a personal message to President Mandela from President Arafat.
The meeting took place shortly before a function hosted by the United Nations Information Office in South Africa, to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, during which Minister Nzo will deliver a message on behalf of President Mandela.
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs, Pretoria, 25 November 1998
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