Mandela, Bush discuss Third World debt reduction

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Former South African leader Nelson Mandela and US President George W. Bush discussed ways to reduce Third World debt but did not raise their disagreement over Iraq, officials said.

Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, met Bush at the White House during a private visit to the United States.

The former South African president was an outspoken critic of Bush over the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. But he said before the meeting that it was a disagreement "among friends".

"The president was pleased to welcome president Mandela back to the White House," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan. "The two leaders had a very good discussion."

"They discussed the importance of combating AIDS in Africa. They talked about debt forgiveness...