ENGLAND: WORLD LEADERS MOURN THE DEATH OF TANZANIA'S FOUNDING PRESIDENT JULIES NYERERE

Record ID: 293712

  • Title: ENGLAND: WORLD LEADERS MOURN THE DEATH OF TANZANIA'S FOUNDING PRESIDENT JULIES NYERERE
  • Date: 15th October 1999
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (OCTOBER 14, 1999 )(REUTERS - NO ACCESS UK) 1. MCU (English) UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY GENERAL KOFI ANNAN SPEAKS: I always found him available and open with good advice, and it's going to be a great loss for first and foremost his family and friends but also for the entire African continent and his nation. 0.15 2. MCU (English) ANNAN (questioned on Nyerere's greatest achievements) "I think his greatest achievement was first of all his struggle -- the way he fought for independence -- but in a way which was a gentle and correct manner, if I may put it that way. He tried to reform and build his country, and when you take on that sort of a task, it's a major challenge. Yes, some think he probably should not have taken the route he did in terms of economic approach. But he did it honestly and in good faith. And in the end, when he left the continent, a continent in which leaders do not leave power easily, or do not know when to move on, he left office willingly, without regret, and became an elder statesman ready to advise and help in whatever way he can. So I hope he set a good example for other leaders." 1.13 LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (OCTOBER 14, 1999 )(REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 3. SLV/SV EXTERIORS OF TANZANIAN HIGH COMMISSION IN LONDON (2 SHOTS) 1.24 4. SLV/SV MAKONGORO NYERERE, SON OF LATE PRESIDENT JULIUS NYERERE ENTERING HIGH COMMISISON BUILDING (2 SHOTS) 1.44 5. MCU (English) Makongoro Nyerere "He made the country, he made the country, he is the father of the nation and this country is a country to be proud of. It is peaceful, it is stable we have never fought any kind of wars in our country and he also made the union with Zanzibar. Now that he is gone if we want to justify what he did for the country we should maintain the peace and stability and lets look forward to a better economy." 2.16 6. MCU MAKONGORO NYERERE SIGNING BOOK OF CONDOLENCES AT THE HIGH COMMISSION 2.34 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 30th October 1999 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVAD3UASSDFAVUQA2CH40NGC5AFW
  • Story Text: World leaders have mourned the death of Tanzania's
    founding President Julies Nyerere, hailing him as a great
    statesman and champion of African independence and the
    oppressed.

    Nyerere, one of Africa's most charismatic and
    influential post-colonial leaders, died on Thursday (October
    14) aged 77 in a London hospital after a long battle against
    leukaemia..

    United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan described his
    death as a great loss to the African continent and to his
    nation and described his fight for independence as "gentle and
    correct" - refering to Tanzania's peaceful transition to
    nationhood.

    Acknowledging criticism over Nyerere's economic policies,
    Annan said he had followed his socialist beliefs with honesty
    and sincerity, a quality reflected in his departure from
    office.

    "He left office willingly, without regret, and became an
    elder statesman ready to advise and help in whatever way he
    can.So I hope he set a good example for other leaders," Annan
    said.

    Speaking in London, Nyerere's son, Makongoro Nyerere,
    said that the family were sad but taking strength from the
    good wishes of the people of Tanzania.The body is due to be
    flown back on Saturday and a state funeral is expected to
    follow shortly after.

    The main rebel group in Burundi, the Forces for the
    Defence of Democracy (FDD), declared a 48-hour unilateral
    ceasefire out of respect for Nyerere.

    Nyerere was diagnosed with chronic leukaemia last year and
    died in a London hospital on Thursday (October 14) morning.

    He led his country to independence from Britain in 1961
    and was its president from 1962 until 1985 when he became one
    of the first post-colonial African leaders to step down from
    power voluntarily.

    At home and across the continent, Nyerere was known simply
    as "Mwalimu" -- Kiswahili for "teacher".

    Although his bold experiment to build a socialist society
    ended in economic failure, he stayed above the Cold War
    rivalry of the era, making his country as an oasis of peace
    and actively supporting the ANC and other African liberation
    movements.

    At the same time, he charmed European and U.S.leaders and
    even became a friend of Britain's Queen Elizabeth, despite
    having led the struggle against British rule in his homeland.
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