Nelson Mandela meets Gordon Brown ahead of statue unveiling

Описание: (28 Aug 2007) SHOTLIST
No Access UK
1. UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown entering room, followed by former South African president Nelson Mandela, walking with the help of elbow crutches, woman talking to Mandela, Brown posing with Mandela
2. SOUNDBITE: (English), Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister:
"Let me welcome to Downing Street, on behalf of Sara (Brown's wife) and myself, the most inspiring, the greatest and the most courageous leader of our generation. It's such a privilege to have Nelson Mandela and to have his wonderful wife Gracha Machel here today. I'm looking forward to our discussions and I'm looking forward also to the monument, the statue that will be inaugurated in your honour tomorrow in London. It's such an honour to have you here."
3SOUNDBITE: (English), Nelson Mandela, former South African President:
" My wife and I are very happy and proud to be here, because as you know, this was one of our rulers but we overthrew them and we are now on an equal basis. But nevertheless we have not forgotten the past and I am happy to be here. Thank you very much."
4. Mandela walking off with Brown and his wife Gracha Machel
STORYLINE
The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised Nelson Mandela as the greatest leader of his generation on Tuesday, as he welcomed the former South African president to his official residence at 10 Downing Street.
Brown and Mandela held private talks at the prime minister's residence. Brown has often expressed admiration for the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner and profiled Mandela in his book "Courage: Eight Portraits".
"I'm proud to welcome to Downing Street the most inspiring, the greatest and most courageous leader of our generation," he said, as Mandela arrived, in a trade-mark multi-coloured shirt and using elbow crutches, with his wife Gracha Machel.
Mandela said he and his wife were happy to visit No. 10 Downing Street, "because, as you know, this was one of our rulers".
"But we overthrew them. We are on an equal basis now," he added, smiling.
On Wednesday, a 9-foot (2.75-metre) bronze likeness of Mandela will join statues of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and US President Abraham Lincoln in front of the Houses of Parliament.
Mandela and his wife will attend the unveiling ceremony alongside London Mayor Ken Livingstone, anti-apartheid campaigners and community representatives. The event will feature performances by a gospel choir and 40 dancers in carnival costume.
But Mandela will miss a dinner to be held in his honour by Livingstone at the Dorchester Hotel, his spokeswoman said.
She added that 89-year-old Mandela had a full programme in London and did not have the strength to attend in person, but his grandson would deliver a message on his behalf.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...