Mandela criticises US, Britain over Iraq

CAPE TOWN – South African freedom hero Nelson Mandela on yesterday harshly criticised Britain and the United States over the war in Iraq, saying South Africa, by contrast, provided inspiration to the world.

In an address to parliament ten years to the day after he was sworn in as South Africa’s first black president, Mandela referred to the international uproar over the publication of photographs of Iraqi prisoners tortured in Iraq. “We live in a world where there is enough reason for cynicism and despair,” the frail-looking Mandela, 85, told a joint session of the house.”We watch as two of the leading democracies, two leading nations of the free world, get involved in a war that the United Nations did not sanction.”We look on with horror as reports surface of terrible abuses against the dignity of human beings held captive by invading forces in their own country,” he said to loud applause from the chamber.”We see how powerful countries – all of them so-called democracies – manipulate multilateral bodies to the great disadvantage and suffering of the poorer developing nations,” Mandela said.Mandela has been an outspoken critic of the US-led war in Iraq, even once describing President George W. Bush as “a president who can’t think properly” for his policy on Iraq.The Nobel Peace prize winner drew a contrast between the US and British failures on the world stage, and South Africa, which this year is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the end of apartheid.”We should take heart from our own experience and performance.In a cynical world we have become an inspiration to many,” said Mandela.”We signal that good can be achieved among human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared in the goodness of people.”Let us refrain from chauvinistic breast-beating, but let us also not underrate what we have achieved in establishing a stable and progressive democracy.”The address before parliament was seen as perhaps one of the last opportunities to hear Mandela as his aides have said that old age is forcing him to cut back on his public appearances.- Nampa-AFP”We live in a world where there is enough reason for cynicism and despair,” the frail-looking Mandela, 85, told a joint session of the house.”We watch as two of the leading democracies, two leading nations of the free world, get involved in a war that the United Nations did not sanction.”We look on with horror as reports surface of terrible abuses against the dignity of human beings held captive by invading forces in their own country,” he said to loud applause from the chamber.”We see how powerful countries – all of them so-called democracies – manipulate multilateral bodies to the great disadvantage and suffering of the poorer developing nations,” Mandela said.Mandela has been an outspoken critic of the US-led war in Iraq, even once describing President George W. Bush as “a president who can’t think properly” for his policy on Iraq.The Nobel Peace prize winner drew a contrast between the US and British failures on the world stage, and South Africa, which this year is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the end of apartheid.”We should take heart from our own experience and performance.In a cynical world we have become an inspiration to many,” said Mandela.”We signal that good can be achieved among human beings who are prepared to trust, prepared in the goodness of people.”Let us refrain from chauvinistic breast-beating, but let us also not underrate what we have achieved in establishing a stable and progressive democracy.”The address before parliament was seen as perhaps one of the last opportunities to hear Mandela as his aides have said that old age is forcing him to cut back on his public appearances.- Nampa-AFP