[setanta]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Whilst its true that Mandela was leader of the MK(the armed wing of the ANC) while in charge his policy was only to hit local government offices - out of hours to ensure there werent as far as possible civilian casualties, in fact his policy was to avoid any deaths or even injuries, it was mentioned at his trial that he cancelled some operations because it couldnt be ensured there would be no collateral injuries. ( see: Wolfie Kadesh )

Whilst in prison he often called for the ANC leadership to plan and execute operations which would result in minimal casualties. And condemned certain operations as being overly violent. Since the end of apartheid in South Africa and during the Truth and Reconciliation Commision. Mandela was never implicated in any actions which breached human rights, in fact he cristicised others for withholding information etc, including his own wife.

Thats a lot different than Martin's history, with the Hegarty case, Enniskillen and a host of other operations he was linked with. Interesting to note he refused to accept the authority of the court that sentenced him in the 70's in the Republic of Ireland.

Saying that Martin McGuinness has done a lot to bring peace to Northern Ireland negotiating on behalf of both the IRA and Sinn Fein since the 1980's in fact even before that. Without his efforts and risks I dare say there wouldnt be the situation there is there today.

A young Martin McGuinness:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/new...t=true&bbcws=2

You're not really telling me anything that disproves that there's similarites in both cases, and it's interesting to note Mandela was offered freedom earlier on in his imprisonment on the sole condition that he publically rejected violence as a political weapon. He refused of course.