THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary ________________________________________________________________________ For Immediate Release April 26, 1994 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT On behalf of all Americans, I want to congratulate the people of South Africa on the start of the three- day elections now taking place in their country. Today's images of South Africans -- black and white -- going to the polls in the face of intimidation by vicious opponents of democracy inspire the imagination and are a stern rebuke to the cynics of the world. South Africans are taking control of their own destinies and preparing to tackle the fundamental challenges of establishing a government of national unity, restoring stability and prosperity, and improving the lives of the South African people. I am proud of the role so many Americans have played in the struggle against apartheid. I can assure South Africans that we will be just as involved in helping to build the non-racial democracy that can come in its wake. # # #