Obama will not visit Mandela in hospital

Agence France-Presse

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US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle will however spend time with Mandela's family

MANDELA AND OBAMA. The two presidents shattered racial boundaries on either side of the Atlantic

PRETORIA, South Africa – US President Barack Obama will not visit his political hero Nelson Mandela in hospital out of deference for the anti-apartheid icon’s “peace and comfort,” a US official said Saturday, June 29.

Obama and his wife Michelle will however spend time with Mandela’s family to offer “thoughts and prayers at this difficult time,” the official said, as the US leader arrived in Pretoria for talks with President Jacob Zuma.

Hours before he landed in South Africa, Obama said he would not press for a much-awaited meeting with Mandelawho he met once in Washington in 2005.

Mandela’s ill health means the two men, who shattered racial boundaries on either side of the Atlantic, will not hold a long-anticipated meeting for the cameras.

The prospect of a public encounter between the first black presidents of South Africa and the United States had been eagerly awaited for years, but has now been scuppered by the 94-year-old Mandela’s failing health.

Americans pray for Mandela

Obama’s aides had said previously they would “gauge” the situation once on the ground before deciding whether Obama would visit Mandela in the hospital where he has been clinging to life for three weeks.

Mandela, who turns 95 next month, was rushed to the hospital 3 weeks ago with a recurring lung disease. His condition is said to be critical there have been reported signs of improvements in recent days.

“I think that the message we’ll want to deliver is not directly to him but to his family, is simply profound gratitude for his leadership all these years,” Obama said earlier.

Obama said he wanted to let Mandela’s family know “that the thoughts and prayers of the American people are with him and his family and his country.”

Reflections on Mandela’s extraordinary journey from prisoner to president will permeate Obama’s stay in South Africa, but would not change the message of his trip. Rappler.com

 

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