WORLD : Mandela, Inkatha Rival to Meet; First Direct Talks in Decades
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JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Black leaders Nelson Mandela and Mangosuthu Buthelezi will meet Jan. 29 for the first face-to-face talks in decades between the longtime friends turned political rivals, their parties said today.
The announcement raised the prospect that there might eventually be a settlement between their two warring groups. However, spokesmen for both sides cautioned against unrealistic expectations.
“It’s one thing for leaders to meet and shake hands, another to transfer the reconciliation down to grass-roots level,” ANC spokesman Saki Macozoma told a local radio station. “Without grass-roots support, it would be impossible to stop the violence.”
Mandela and Buthelezi have previously called without avail for an end to the violence.
Mandela’s African National Congress and Buthelezi’s Zulu-dominated Inkatha Freedom Party have waged virtual warfare for five years in eastern Natal Province, killing 5,000 people.
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