Mandela slams US over Iraq attack plans

Former South African President Nelson Mandela today spoke out “in the strongest terms” against US threats to attack Iraq, warning that the Washington was “introducing chaos in international affairs.”

“No country should be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” Mandela said at his Johannesburg home, shortly before meeting French President Jacques Chirac.

“Especially the United States of America, because they are the only superpower in the world today, and they must be exemplary in everything they do.

“The message they are sending is that if you’re afraid of the veto in the Security Council, then you’re entitled to ... ignore the Security Council.”

Mandela said he had tried to speak to President George Bush by phone, but he had not been available. Mandela spoke instead to Secretary of State Colin Powell and former President George Bush, he said.