 | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | Politics: Mandela hints at Bush snub on Iraq">Archive of stories pre April 2007 | | | | | | | 
Archive of stories pre April 2007 | News submitted by: MIB
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela kept up his verbal onslaught against U.S. President Bush Friday and implied he would not meet him when he makes his first visit to Africa next month.
Mandela condemned Bush for launching the war against Iraq, saying he was wrong to bypass the United Nations and overthrow Iraqi President Saddam Hussein by force.
"Since the creation of the United Nations there has not been a World War since 1945. Therefore, for anybody, especially the leader of a superstate, to act outside the United Nations is something that must be condemned by everybody who wants peace," Mandela told reporters after a meeting with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin.
"For any country to leave the United Nations and attack an independent country must be condemned in the strongest terms and I am very happy by the attitude taken by (French) President Jacques Chirac."
Chirac led opposition to the Iraq war, vowing to veto any U.S.-backed U.N. resolution authorizing an attack on Iraq and rallying international opposition to Bush's plans.
Mandela, 85 next month, received a Nobel Peace prize for his role in guiding South Africa from apartheid to multiracial democracy. He stepped down as president in 1999.
Mandela has repeatedly condemned Bush over Iraq. In January, he said the Texan "cannot think properly" and in Ireland last week he said the United States and Bush were dangers to the world.
The South African government under President Thabo Mbeki also opposed the war but was more restrained in its criticism.
Bush is due to make a five-nation tour of Africa from July 8-12, spending much of his time in South Africa. A courtesy call on Mandela is an obligatory part of any visiting leader's schedule but there were strong signs Friday Bush would not meet the African statesman.
Asked if he would repeat his anti-Bush message in person, Mandela replied: "You assume that he is going to meet me. I wouldn't make that assumption. I have said what I wanted to say and I don't have to repeat it."
It was unclear who would cold-shoulder whom.
"I cannot be sure he's going to want to meet me," Mandela said.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/africa/06/27/safrica.mandela.bush.reut/index.html
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