Nellie is still off his medications alert!
Mandela Would Make U.N.-Backed Iraq Peace Trip:

South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela said Wednesday he was willing to go to Iraq to help avert a war, but only if the United Nations approved.

Mandela also defended his personal attack on President Bush (news - web sites) last week when he said Bush had no foresight and could not think properly as a U.S.-led war looms against Iraq.
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"If Iraq wants me to go there, they must get the permission of (U.N. Secretary-General) Kofi Annan (news - web sites). Then I will go," Mandela told reporters at his home in Johannesburg.

"But I won't go on my own just because I have been invited by Iraq," he added.
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He said he did not regret his criticism of Bush, which was condemned by some U.S. newspapers but drew little official reaction in Washington.

"I said that because I felt that way. I don't have to repeat it. I'm not changing a word, not even a comma in what I said," Mandela said.

Mandela was skeptical of evidence to be presented by Secretary of State Colin Powell (news - web sites) to the United Nations later on Wednesday aimed at convincing a doubting world that war may be needed to ensure Iraq disarms.

"We are going to listen to (U.N. chief weapons inspector) Hans Blix and Mohamed ElBaradei (head of the nuclear arms teams). We are going to listen to them and them alone. We are not going to listen to the United States of America," he said.

Don't let the door hit ya on the butt, Nellie! And Nellie, have you given any thought to being a "human shield"?

Oh yeah, Nellie also unburdened himself on cricket:

Mandela says England should play in Zimbabwe
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"They must respect what the international cricket committee says," Mandela told reporters outside his home. "We must show discipline. If we refuse to follow what the international body says, we introduce chaos in cricket.

"They have examined the matter they have conducted research and so on. They know what is dangerous for cricketers," Mandela said.

"If they say cricketers must go to Zimbabwe, must go to Kenya, that is what they must do."

Maybe Nellie needs a hobby. One that doesn't involve sharp objects.