Re: Oil, the Euro and Iraq

As political and social analysts, let's not assume every world leader
breaths the party line or the government line for that matter.  Nelson
Mandela is firstly one of the world's foremost humanitarians.
He considers humanity first,
Africa second,
South Africa third,
and ANC politics fourth.
When Mandela sees that human life will unnecessarily be lost, he couldn't
care less about ANC politics.  He will speak his mind.

In any case, Mandela no longer holds a Government position, he know longer
represents the Government, he does represents the consciousness of the
majority of South Africans, like myself.  If you want to do an analysis of
the South African Governments position, or the ANC for that matter, do not
mix issues.  To infer that Mandela's remarks as shortsighted is VERY
shortsighted!!!!  If you doubt me, ask the families of dead Iraqi civilians
if his remarks are shortsighted.

Richard Ragland



Ref:
Damian.Popolo
Whose side should South Africa be on? It's really a case of Hobson's
choice.
When the U.S. economy went concave in 1929, the whole world was sucked in
to
its depression. Only the mad mullahs would want a repetition of that. Which
is
why the anti-U.S. rhetoric of the ANC government, compounded by Nelson
Mandela's virulent anti-Bush remarks, is shortsighted. It would have been
far
better to have adopted a neutral stance, particularly since an election is
due
in a year's time. In 1999 the ANC's election expenses enjoyed considerable
American and Middle Eastern funding. Given the physical and political costs
of
the war, the chances of a repeat of such funding in 2004 must range from
uncertain to unlikely. Nonetheless, the aftershocks of the war on Iraq may
cost the ANC dearly.