TELEGRAM FOR DEATH OF TANZANIA'S FIRST PRESIDENT

VATICAN CITY, OCT 19, 1999 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent by Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano, in Pope John Paul's name, to Benjamin Mkapa, president of Tanzania, for the death of that country's first president:

"Having learned with sadness of the death of Julius K. Nyerere, first president of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Holiness Pope John Paul II sends condolences to you and the nation. He commends the former president's soul to the mercy and love of Almighty God and prays that those who mourn his passing will ever increase their commitment to serving the greater good of the country in true justice and with respect for the rights and dignity of all. Upon the Tanzanian people His Holiness cordially invokes God's blessings of peace."

TGR;DEATH NYERERE;...;TANZANIA; MKAPA;VIS;19991019;Word: 140;