Clinton meets quot;truly freequot; nation

From a surprise visit at a dusty housing project to a stately arrival ceremony with Nelson Mandela, US President Bill Clinton rejoiced in So...

From a surprise visit at a dusty housing project to a stately arrival ceremony with Nelson Mandela, US President Bill Clinton rejoiced in South Africa8217;s rebirth from a 50-year government system of White domination and racial separation.

Clinton, the first American President ever to come to South Africa, stood with Mandela in a racially integrated parliament to salute a South Africa quot;truly free and democratic at lastquot;.

Clinton will also visit the Robben Island with Mandela to see the cell where Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in prison for his role as a leader of the anti-apartheid movement. Speaking of Mandela, Clinton said that quot;for millions upon millions of Americans, South Africa8217;s story is embodied by your heroic sacrifice and your breathtaking walk out of the darkness and into the glorious lightquot;.

The American leader clutched Mandela8217;s hand tightly as he helped the 79-year-old President down the staircase to the Assembly floor. Amid loud cheers, the two leaders slowly walked up the aisle, shakinghands with lawmakers.

quot;Four years ago such a visit would not have been possible because apartheid had turned our beloved South Africa into a pariah of the world,quot; said Popo Molefe, premier of northwest province, as he introduced Clinton to a joint session of Parliament.

South Africa8217;s victory over apartheid inspires hope that quot;one day humanity all over the world can at last be released from the bonds of hatred and bigotry,quot; Clinton said, promising a partnership of quot;mutual respect and mutual rewardquot;.

quot;We rejoice at what you have already accomplished,quot; Clinton said. quot;We seek to be your partners and your true friends in the work that lies ahead overcoming the lingering legacy of apartheid, seizing the promise of your rich land and your gifted people.quot;

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First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton watched from a gallery above, seated next to Mandela8217;s companion, Graca Machel. Winnie Mandela, the President8217;s ex-wife, took her seat as a member of parliament. Clinton later joined his wife in her return to the VictoriaMxenge housing project that she visited a year ago.

Despite its gains, South Africa is a nation troubled by crime, poverty, housing shortages and disappointing economic growth. The United States is unhappy about Mandela8217;s friendship with Fidel Castro of Cuba and Moammar Gadhafi of Libya, a loyalty based on the support they gave in the anti-apartheid struggle.

quot;Sometimes our interests and our views diverge,quot; Clinton said, quot;but that is true even in family partnerships.quot;

At a State dinner, Mandela will present Clinton with South Africa8217;s highest honour, the Order of Good Hope. Mandela has given the same tribute to Gadhafi.

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Clinton met with Thabo Mbeki, South Africa8217;s deputy President and Mandela8217;s heir apparent, and addressed criticism that the United States was cutting back on aid to Africa. Clinton has asked Congress to increase aid to Africa8211; currently 700 million by 30 million.

At earlier stops on this six-country trip, Clinton has expressed remorse about America8217;s neglect of Africa, favoritismof some authoritarian regimes during the Cold War and participation in the slave trade long ago.

Asked why the President had not addressed the oft-criticised US policy of quot;constructive engagementquot; toward South Africa in the 1980s, spokesman Mike McCurry said Clinton quot;elected not to dwell on US government policies of the pastquot;.

ASSOCIATED PRESS