U.S. Renews Plea on Mandela

The White House today urged the South African government to free jailed black activist Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners, saying apartheid will never be abolished while they remain in prison.

“For the last 26 years, Mr. Mandela, a pre-eminent figure in the struggle against apartheid, has been imprisoned in South Africa,” spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said in a statement released on Mandela’s 70th birthday. “He is widely recognized as the embodiment of black aspiration in South Africa, and while he and other political leaders remain in prison, South African government plans for political reform are not likely to gain any significant support from the black community,” Fitzwater said.