Posted on 03/10/2003 6:56:14 AM PST by knighthawk
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela said on Monday he would not accept an invitation by Western peace activists to visit Baghdad to help prevent a war.
The Nobel Peace Laureate has accused President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair of running roughshod over the United Nations in their bid to oust Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
The 84-year-old statesman, respected the world over for his fight against apartheid-era discrimination, was asked by Western peace activists and the Iraqi government to visit Baghdad. But the frail Mandela said he would first consult his family.
"They have now indicated that they have serious concerns about any plans for him to travel to Iraq," Mandela's office said, adding that he was "no longer a young man."
Mandela also did not receive a clear mandate from United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on a potential role in the Iraq crisis.
"Mr. Mandela will obviously consider such a request very seriously, however it is unlikely that he will travel to Iraq at any stage," his office said.
Mandela, a recipient of Bush's Presidential Medal of Freedom last year, launched a blistering personal attack against the U.S. president in January, saying the Texan had no foresight and could not think properly.
South Africa, one of the developing world's most forceful voices against a war on Iraq, recently sent a team of disarmament experts to help Baghdad deal with U.N. weapons inspectors.
Most likely on the 17th, with Hans. I wonder who else will be "invited?" I bet Jimmy Carter's feelings are hurt. And you know what, he'd probably go.
If Mandela doesn't think he has WMD, what's he scared of?
Where would SA come up with "a team of disarmament experts"?
As was Jimmah Cahtuh, your friendly neighborhood bootlicker of dictators.
As soon as I run all these people out of here, I've GOT to read these last few threads about this! Catch up tonight!
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