SAHARA PRESS SERVICE

Bir Lehlu, 21/04/2004 (SPS) The President de la Republic, Mohamed Abdelaziz, adressed a message of congratulations to his South African counterpart, Tabo M'Beiki, on the occasion of the latter's re-election, on the 17th April, with 69,68 % of the valid votes.

«Your victory marks a new direction in the re-enforcing of the many achievements that the people of South Africa as a whole has known, not only with regards to the peaceful changes seeking the enhancement of peace within and reconciliation throughout the society» (...), but also in the emergence of the new glorious image of South Africa thanks to the economic prosperity and to the many values you championed for the sake of a multiracial, democratic and prosperous South Africa, wrote the Head of the State in a message, of which SPS received a copy.

«The renewal of your mandate provides the people of Africa with the very opportunity to consolidate justice, reconciliation, peace and democracy. The ideals and goals you have personally defended have not only benefited your great country but have since been a landmark and enshrined in the constitution, the objectives and the goals of our African Union», ha added.

«It is our firm believe and conviction that under your leadership South Africa and the African continent will overcome with success the many handicaps and obstacles that have in the past divided and debilitated our regional grouping », he underlined.

The Head of the State has at last asserted Mr. M'Beiki to be determined to work side by side to «meet the many challenges, towards justice, peace and democracy in our continent», as well as to reinforce the ties of friendship, brotherhood and solidarity that link the two countries and peoples, Saharawi and South African. (SPS)

010/090/100/TRD 211619 Apr 04 SPS