UK: LONDON: NELSON MANDELA ADDRESSES PARLIAMENT

(11 Jul 1996) English/Nat

The British passion for Nelson Mandela continues unabated on the third day of his four- day state visit.

Full British pomp and ceremony surrounded the South African President at the Palace of Westminster, where he addressed both Houses of Parliament.

He then left to host a special lunch at the Dorchester for the Queen.

The huge medieval Westminster Hall was packed with people wanting to pay homage to Nelson Mandela.

Ministers, M-Ps and peers gathered to hear a rare double address to both Houses of Parliament.

The double address is an honour reserved for leaders of nations with particularly important links with Britain.

Mandela is a leader like no other, in an age of cynicism he's been hailed as a man of integrity, honesty and courage.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, led him to the stage.

Betty Boothroyd was a member of the Black Sash Movement of white women who took part years ago in anti-apartheid vigils outside the South African Embassy.

But British politicians have not always seen Mandela as a hero.

In 1987, John Major's predecessor, Margaret Thatcher described the A-N-C as a 'typical terrorist organisation'.

Baroness Thatcher sat subdued in Westminster Hall, perhaps reflecting the extraordinary reversal of fortunes which has the former political prisoner returning as President of South Africa.

In his address, Mandela spoke of the need to bring peace, unity and equality to Africa.

SOUNDBITE:
Join hands to build on what we have achieved together and help construct a humane African world, whose emergence will say a new universal order is born in which we are each our brother's an sister's keeper.
SUPER CAPTION: Nelson Mandela, South African President

When quizzed by reporters on Margaret Thatcher's attitude towards him nine years ago, he made it clear that bygones should be bygones.

On this, the first state visit by a South African president to the U-K, Mandela has had nothing but praise for the royal family, the government and the people.

President Mandela was escorted out of the hall to the sound of trumpeters and the Band of the Grenadier Guards. He left to host a lunch for the Queen at the Dorchester.

Doorman at the luxury hotel were already rolling out the red carpet in preparation for her majesty and a number of other high-ranking guests.

Former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath had heard the Westminster address. He congratulated the President on his words.

SOUNDBITE:
A tremendous reception and a very good speech this morning.
SUPER CAPTION: Sir Edward Heath

Paddy Ashdown, leader of the Liberal Democrats, had been deeply touched.

SOUNDBITE:
The sight of that frail figure there and all that he's been through, and with all that history behind it. I think it was very emotional.
SUPER CAPTION: Paddy Ashdown, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

Also on her way to the lunch, Margaret Thatcher was less willing to talk. Mandela had refused to meet the former Prime Minister on a trip to London in 1990.

Mandela arrived, having swapped his dark suit for one of his trademark bright shirts.

He stopped to shake hands in the crowd before going in to meet the Queen.

They chatted and smiled before finally entering the dining hall.

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