President Vladimir Putin
23 August 2006
Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki today, Wednesday, 23 August
2006 conveyed the support and sincere condolences of the South African
government and people to President Putin, the government and people of the
Russian Federation following the plane crash on Tuesday, 22 August 2006 in
which 170 people were killed.
In a message of support to President Putin, President Mbeki said, âThe
government and people of South Africa join the government and people of the
Russian Federation in mourning the loss of your compatriots who perished in a
plane crash on Tuesday, 22 August 2006.â
âWe know, and know too well what pain and grief that plane crash has brought
to bear on the families of those who lost their loved ones including the entire
people of the Russian Federation.â
âNonetheless we express our hope that they can draw inspiration from the
knowledge that the entire international community in general and the government
and people of South Africa share in their sorrow.â
âAccordingly please convey our heartfelt condolences to the government and
people of the Russian Federation and in particular members of the bereaved
families,â concluded President Mbeki.
Enquires:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
23 August 2006
