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South Africa: Mandela’s ill health overshadows Obama visit
Former South African President Nelson Mandela. PHOTO/PETER DEJONG /AP
US President Barack Obama said Friday he would not press for a much-awaited meeting with his critically ill hero Nelson Mandela, hours before he landed in South Africa.
“We’ll see what the situation is when we land. I do not need a photo op,” Obama said en route to the country, where he will spend the three days as part of a three-nation Africa trip.
“The last thing I want to do is to be in any way obtrusive at a time when the family is concerned about Nelson Mandela’s condition.”
Mandela, who turns 95 next month, was rushed to hospital three weeks ago with a recurring lung disease.
His condition is said to be critical, although the presidency says there have been some signs of improvements in recent days.
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.
“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.
