From White House spokesman Jay Carney:
“President Obama and the First Lady will go to South Africa next week to pay their respects to the memory of Nelson Mandela and to participate in memorial events. We’ll have further updates on timing and logistics as they become available.”
Officials have held off on a detailed announcement as travel plans, logistics, and security are worked out; services for Mandela will be part of a mourning period in South Africa that will last about 10 days.
The South African government has scheduled the state funeral for Dec. 15, a week from Sunday. There is also a memorial service scheduled for Dec. 10, which is Tuesday.
Carney did not say whether Obama would attend the memorial, the burial, or both.
In the meantime, Obama has directed that American flags be lowered to half-staff through Monday in honor of the freedom fighter who died Thursday at age 95.
In a proclamation honoring Mandela, Obama wrote that “the United States has lost a close friend, South Africa has lost an incomparable liberator, and the world has lost an inspiration for freedom, justice, and human dignity — Nelson Mandela is no longer with us, he belongs to the ages.”
Mandela “transformed South Africa — and moved the entire world,” Obama wrote. “His journey from a prisoner to a president embodied the promise that human beings — and countries — can change for the better.”
The resolution said: “While we mourn his loss, we will forever honor Nelson Mandela’s memory. He left behind a South Africa that is free.”
The White House also announced that Obama phoned current South African President Jacob Zuma to express the nation’s condolences.
Said a White House statement:
“The president conveyed how profoundly Mandela’s extraordinary example of moral courage, kindness, and humility influenced his own life, as well as those of millions around the world.
“President Obama reaffirmed that the strong and historic partnership between the United States and South Africa will continue to draw strength from Mandela’s legacy as we work together to promote equality, reconciliation and human dignity, and to build a more just and prosperous world.”
http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2013/12/06/obama-nelson-mandela-south-africa-funeral/3888737/
Heck maybe Winnie will give them both a new necklace for xmas while they’re there…. gives new meaning to a goodyear
hear hear
When Mendela or some foreigner dies, he travels and pays respect. But when an American dies, he takes a look at his list and says, “Who’s next on the agenda?”
Yea, he really cares about his country…er I mean our country since he’s not an American.
“In the meantime, Obama has directed that American flags be lowered to half-staff through Monday in honor of the freedom fighter who died Thursday at age 95.”
Are you F**king kidding me? That’s Treason! The flag is to be lowered half mass for fallen Americans, NOT Fallen South Africans. NOT even for Fallen Terrorist South Africans. What the hell is wrong with our military. Arrest Obama for high treason! Do your duty, dammit!
Enclose his body in petrol filled tires and set him afire.
A fitting ending to a sadistic reign of terror.
Zuma to follow. Our flag at half mass for a mass murder;
America is really in trouble, more than one could imagine.
Why wouldn’t he show up for dad’s funeral?
Hell #1, obama probobly doesn`t know who his real daddy is if ya know what I mean. It wouldn`t supprise me if his mamma was spreading them legs more than obama wants to admit.