Adams and Mandela
President Clinton includes Gerry Adams, leader of the IRA’s Sinn Fein, in a St. Patrick’s Day reception at the White House for Irish Prime Minister John Bruton. British Prime Minister John Major is insulted. Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II travels to South Africa and allows herself to be entertained and honored by President Nelson Mandela (March 21).
Since both Adams and Mandela have direct past associations with terrorism and violence, how can a distinction be drawn? Mandela seems to have reformed. Isn’t it possible that Adams could do the same?
MORTON P. ILER
San Pedro
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