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They were imprisoned with him on Robben Island

FREED PRISONERS CALL ON PRETORIA TO LET MANDELA GO

buy canada goose jacket Hours after eight of South Africa’s most prominent political prisoners returned canada goose outlet las vegas home from years in confinement, seven of them called today for the release of Nelson Mandela and said they would continue to work canada goose outlet houston for the banned African National Congress. buy canada goose jacket

Canada Goose online The seven including Walter Sisulu, a former secretary general of the Congress and close friend of Mr. Mandela, the country’s leading political prisoner were greeted euphorically by supporters as they spoke tonight at the first open news conference by Congress officials since before the Government banned the anti apartheid organization in 1960. A Possible Test Run Canada Goose online

Canada Goose Jackets They and a member of a rival black organization were released today, five days after President F. W. de Klerk promised to free them. The gesture was widely canada goose outlet seen as a trial run for the release of Mr. Mandela, possibly later this year, that would test the reactions of both blacks and whites. Canada Goose Jackets

Canada Goose Outlet At the news conference, Mr. Sisulu, who spent 26 years in prison, and the others said they would put themselves at the disposal of the Congress canada goose sale uk and might request passports to visit its headquarters in Lusaka, Zambia, for discussions about their future roles. Canada Goose Outlet

canada goose clearance ”He has indeed made efforts to see his comrades released,” Mr. Sisulu said of Mr. Mandela, but he did not go into details. canada goose clearance

canada goose deals The seven appeared alert, confident and defiant despite their age and canada goose outlet store uk the many years in prison. In addition to Mr. Sisulu, who is canada goose clothing uk 77 years old, they are Ahmed Kathrada, 60; Raymond Mhlaba, 69; Elias Motsoaledi, 65; Andrew Mlangeni, 63; Wilton Mkwayi, 67, and Oscar Mpetha, 80. canada goose deals

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buy canada goose jacket cheap Relations between the two movements remain strained, although both canada goose outlet price oppose the white minority Government. The rift appeared to explain why Mr. Masemola was absent from the news conference and rally, held in a small Anglican church across the street from Mr. Sisulu’s home. buy canada goose jacket cheap

canada goose black friday sale The black, green and gold banner of the canada goose outlet woodbury Congress formed a backdrop for the event, and some of the 1,000 or so supporters who jammed Holy Cross Anglican Church wore the same colors. The church resounded with cheers for the Congress and with singing with raised fists of the movement’s anthem, Nkosi Sikelel i Afrika, which means God Bless Africa. canada goose black friday sale

Canada Goose sale Though President de Klerk had announced the men’s pending release on Tuesday as part of his plan to create a climate for canada goose outlet store montreal negotiations on the country’s future, the former prisoners said they did not know they were going home today until they were awakened by their https://www.uscanadagooseoutletsale.com guards well before dawn. Canada Goose sale

Canada Goose sale Mr. Mandela had a particular interest in seeing freedom for not only Mr. Sisulu but also Mr. Kathrada, Mr. Mhlaba, Mr. Mlangeni and Mr. Motsoaledi, all of whom were convicted with him canada goose outlet online store review in 1964 on charges of conspiring to overthrow the Government and commit sabotage. They were imprisoned with him on Robben Island, about six miles from Cape Town. Canada Goose sale

canadian goose jacket Mr. Sisulu canada goose outlet online uk said the men credited their release to pressure on the South African Government canada goose outlet parka from other governments and other foreign and domestic supporters. According to critics of the Government, President de Klerk’s timing of the release was influenced by his eagerness to forestall efforts at new sanctions at the Commonwealth conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this week. But he has also provided a means to test the waters for the release of Mr. Mandela. canadian goose jacket

Canada Goose Outlet The men left no doubt that their loyalties to the African National Congress had not waned in prison. wants us to do,” Mr. Kathrada said. canada goose womens outlet wants us to go to Lusaka, canada goose jacket outlet sale we will go.” Canada Goose Outlet

canada goose coats on sale Mr. Sisulu left open the possibility of negotiations between the Congress and the Government, but said the Congress’s canada goose discount uk conditions for talks would have to be met. He said these included the legalization of the Congress and other anti apartheid organizations and individuals, the lifting of the national state of emergency, the return of exiles and the removal of laws hindering freedom. canada goose coats on sale

canada goose store ”He must make reasonable efforts to create a climate for negotiations,” Mr. canada goose outlet official Sisulu said of Mr. de Klerk. Violence as Last Resort canada goose store

Canada Goose Outlet Mr. Mlangeni said the Congress would not drop its endorsement of violence as a last resort. ”If the Government does not meet our demands, we have no alternative but to fight for our freedom,” he told reporters. Canada Goose Outlet

canada goose clearance sale When the men were asked what was the worst part of their long confinement, Mr. Motsoaledi replied that all canada goose outlet seattle of it was unpleasant. ”Jail will always remain jail,” he said. canada goose clearance sale

cheap Canada Goose Mr. Masemola, who did not attend the news conference, told a reporter for the South Africa Press Association earlier today that life on Robben Island had been ”sheer hell,” especially before the early 1970′s when, he said, prisoners were commonly beaten ”for no apparent reason,” food was withheld and very few visitors were permitted. cheap Canada Goose

Canada Goose Parka A reporter asked Mr. Sisulu whether he and the others expected to canada goose outlet store quebec live long enough to see a black President of South Africa. He replied canada goose outlet orlando that he only wanted a government that would include blacks. ”We don’t judge people in terms of color,” he said sharply. Sisulu said, he and five other prisoners, who had been transferred to Diepkloof Prison near Soweto, were awakened by their guards and told they were about to be released. Sisulu’s house. When he climbed out of one, canada goose outlet ottawa he was all but mobbed by about canada goose vest outlet 30 young men and nearly 50 journalists who had maintained a dawn vigil. Mr. Sisulu, who appeared shaken by the enthusiastic reception, was assisted by several youths to his house, where he was embraced on the threshold by his wife, Albertina. The others were apparently dropped off at their homes without prior warning or fanfare. Canada Goose Parka

Canada Goose online Several hours later, Mr. Sisulu emerged accompanied by Mrs. Sisulu. Canada Goose online

Canada Goose Outlet ”I’m feeling very well, and I’m happy to see the people and I greet you all,” he said to the cheering throng of several hundred neighbors and supporters. Canada Goose Outlet

Canada Goose Outlet Mr. Mhlaba was similarly released in Port Elizabeth, and Mr. Mpetha, who had been bedridden with a canada goose outlet us diabetic condition, was freed in Cape Town. Both men flew to Johannesburg for the canada goose outlet buffalo news conference tonight Canada Goose Outlet.

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