We met today in the Soweto stadium with delegations who had come from all over the world. Big and small, all in solidarity with the people of South Africa. To give homage to the figure of Nelson Mandela and to thank him for all that he did. Also, to thank him for his strong attitude that he showed in favour of the resolution of different conflicts in the sphere of international politics. A strength covered by a velvet glove. He did so in Indonesia, when in the framework of East Timor, with very kind words he asked the Indonesian president to release Xanana Gusmau and expressed support for the resolution of the conflict (at that time the Indonesian government was financing the electoral campaign of the ANC). For this reason, among others, Xanana Gusmau is here today. Or when, also with kind words, he didn't pay attention to Arafat when he was pressured by the King of Morocco who asked him to not support the Saharans. The SADR is today diplomatically recognised by South Africa, not however by Madrid. For that, today the Polisario Front came here today. In the Irish conflict: in spite of his having a very good relation with the Queen of the United Kingdom and with the British government, on his first trip to London he underscored the need for dialogue, expressing his support for the process that would come later. Martin McGuinness is here today. He always spoke out in favour of the Palestinian cause and in spite of admiring a book by David Ben-Gurion, this didn't make him vary his support for the rights of the Palestinian people. Abu Mazen is here today. Shortly after leaving prison he visited Cuba, and there he praised their revolution and Fidel Castro, as well as recognising the great support given by the Cuban people. For that Raul Castro is here today.

And although it is not known, he maintained the same attitude in the Basque Conflict. Of course, Mandela didn't have the same level of knowledge that he had about the Irish case and the knowledge that he had of Spain came from what was sold to all the world as an exemplary transition. In spite of that, when the Spanish King and Queen visited South Africa, in his official speech he mentioned the Basque conflict and the peace process with these words: "South Africa was able to learn much of Spain's experience. And we sincerely hope that those involved in the Basque peace process will find encouragement in our humble experience that even long-standing and seemingly insurmountable differences can be resolved through negotiation."

It isn't a surprise therefore that in 2009 the Mandela Foundation supported the Brussels Declaration, since it totally agreed with his thought. It also isn't a surprise that the ANC has shown itself favourable to the resolution of the Basque conflict. For this, today a delegation of SORTU is here, in Soweto.

Thank you, Madiba.