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THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release May 8, 1996

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The United States congratulates the South African people and their elected representatives on the approval today by the Constitutional Assembly of a permanent constitution for the new South Africa. This successful effort comes almost two years to the day after the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela.

With this permanent constitution, characterized by its drafters as `one law for one people,' South Africa has yet again confirmed its leadership in the growing international family of nations in Africa and around the world devoted to democracy and the protection of human rights.

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