As a political tourist, he’s mat- ched only by Gorbachev and the Pope. Aren’t we going slightly over- board about ex-convict Nelson Mandela — who embarrasses George Bush and his other exalted hosts by openly boasting that vio- lence is still on his agenda if his government won’t yield to his demands? Working for the violent over- throw of that government was the crime for which, after a fair and open trial, he was jailed 25 years ago — as would have happened in most democratic countries. In Canada we tried to jail a clown by the name of Ernst Zuendel merely for querying the facts about the Holocaust. Don’t get me wrong. Whatever the historic excuse, if any, for apartheid, it’s an evil, abhorrent system in today’s world. It has to go, and South African President Frederik de Klerk — one of today’s men — is committed to that goal. The ques- tion being: What form of democracy will replace it? ' Mandela promises Congress it will be a U.S.-style democracy, while praising those two notable democrats in Cuba and Libya, Fidel Castro and Moammar Gadhafi. Meanwhile, in numerous new African nations, the ‘‘one- man-one-vote"’ Mandela insists on has boiled down to ‘‘one man’? — meaning the black dictator of the NELSON showcase. moment — wielding the decisive vote that comes out of the barrel of a gun! In any case, 71-year-old Mandela is in no position to make promises. For the moment, he holds the showcase title of deputy president of the African National Congress. But the ANC has plenty of more radical, power-hungry younger turks eager to call the shots, once Mandela has outlived his usefulness to them. I admire Nelson Mandela as the symbol of his people’s long strug- gie for human rights denied by de Klerk’s boneheaded predecessors. I can accept the claim that his years in jail were honorable because he was a ‘‘political’’ pris- oner — even though Canada jail- ed Quebec freedom fighters in 6 - Friday, June 29, 1990 ~ North Shore News World statesman’? Who's kidding whom? HE’S RECEIVED by presidents and prime ministers like a visiting head of state. Accorded the high honor of address- ing parliaments and Congress. Cheered by tens of thou- sands during motorcades behind bullet-proof glass. MANDELA...ANC 1970 as common criminals. I believe he’s a sincere idealist. With his imposing presence, it’s easy to see why he’s become a world folk hero in 2 world des- perately short of heroes. But an instant world STATESMAN, with all the pomp and trappings of power? Come on! Who's kidding whom? 4 FREDERIK DE KLERK...today’s man. POSTSCRIFTS: The hunt is on for former ‘‘army brats’? — children of Canadian forces fami- lies who attended ihe Canadian high schoo! in Hemer, West Ger- many, between 1964 and 1970. They're holding a reunion in Calgary August 2-4 and if you qualify, or know of any, please call Terri Harding, 438-9237 ... Big attractions for the 12 to 19- year-old West Van Air Cadets — who, as noted Wednesday, are looking for a new C.O. — include camping, photography and the chance to learn gliding and power flying. Details from E. Van Dishoeck. 921-7569 ... Latest con- teader for the West Van-Garibaldi Socred nomination is Lions Bay Mayor Gordon Prescott, up against Margot Fusk, Eric Cant, Dr. Rodney Ghynn-Morris and Gordon Frampton at the Sept. 12 nomination meeting ... Congrats today to well-known former North Van residents Kenneth and Janet Hall who are celebrating their “Golden 50th.’’ Now living in Comox, their active work for Highlands United Church, the library and homeowners’ associa- tion is still remembered by many ..- Also today, happy 6!st anni- versary to North Van’s Gordon and Marion MacNaughton ... Meanwhile, in West Van, it’s many happy returns tomorrow, June 30, to Mary Speck (yes, our publisher’s boss!) ... Likewise to Violet Robinson who turns 91 ... And a 62nd anniversary salute to Cyril and Aane Crook. wae WRIGHT OR WRONG: When you get a good idea, act like you're sitting on a tack. Jump up and do something! WE NEEDA LEADER WHo SOMEONE WHO 15.5 CAN STAND UP TO THAT —UNDERHANDED AS ad Ad ARROGANT AD SWLRONEY.. wuLOOKS AFTER THE EAST... Banished butts HE DECISION by West couver’s District 45 School Board to banish smoking on all district school grounds during school days sets a good example for everyone in district: students, teachers, parents and all school employees. It also teaches a lesson as valuable as any taught in District 45 schools: ciga- rette smoking is more than just a health hazard, it is socially unacceptable. Continuing to allow smoking on school grounds justifies its practise. But more than anything else it defeats any attempts to educate students to the dangers of cigarette smoking and sticks a hot butt in the eye of any anti-smok- ing campaigns that might be launched in schools or in the community. Van- the The growth of cigarette smoking among teenagers.should be of concern to everyone. Smokers usually start when they are young and easily persuaded to light up with those whe mistakenly equate smok- ing with 3 statement of defiance or maturity. ings, workplaces. riculum. Smoking, which causes the premature death of 35,000 Canadians annually, is already restricted locally in public build- restaurants and in most It is only logical, then, that it sRould be banished from schooi grounds, where the message of smoking’s medical and social toll needs to be delivered loud and clear along with the rest of the cur- Dear Editor: It seems that North Van- couver District is making a habit of not informing residents about events that di- rectly concern them — the cut- ting of linden trees in Lynn Valley and, recently, in the In- dian River area, leaving 96- gallon Schaefer plastic garbage cans on the doorsteps of resi- dents without prior notice. What I find most annoying about the deposit of the gar- bage can at my residence is that the District was in effect forcing the use of the can upon its residents. The can came with a letter dated April 5. This letter was attached to the can dropped on my property on April 16. The letter did state that I Publisher Peter Speck could return the container if I didn’t want to participate in the 39-day trial by calling the District. It goes without saying, however, that I should have received the letter before I received tie container. What I find just as annoying as the presumptuousness of the District is the delivery of an oversize (96-gallon!) container at the same time as the public and governments at all levels are talking recycling and reduc- ing garbage! We've just had Earth Day, and just a few days before this event the District sends me an enormous garbage can. Pure irony! On Shaw Cable a few nights ago Mayor Marilyn Baker mentioned that North Van- couver is soon to embark on a trial recycling pick-up. Teel VOKCE OF WONTN ANO WAST VANCOUVER Managing Editor Timothy Renshaw Associate Editor . Noel Wright Advertising Director Linda Stewart SUNDAY - WEONESOAY - FHIDAY North Shore News, founged ir. 1969 as an independent suburban newspaper and qualified uncer Schedule 111. Paragraph Ut of the Excise Tax Act. 15 published eacn Wednesday, Friday and Sunday py Nortn Shore Free Press Lid and distnbutec to every coor on the North Shore Second Ctass Mail Registration Number 3845 Subscnptions Nonh ang West Vancouver, $25 per year Mauing rates available on request Submissions are welcome but we Cannot accept respensipiity tor unsolicited maletal incluging manuscnpts and pictures which should be accompunied by a stamped. addressed envetope 1139 Lonsdale Avenue. North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4 59,170 (average, Wednesday Friday & Sunday) 5 a ROS SOA OIVISION Display Advertising Classified Advertising Newsroom Distribution Subsernptions Big bin is presumptuous If we're going to be recycling so soon — I imagine the District is considering a multi sorting system similar to other municipalities — then it follows that we don't need one single container to put garbage in, since at the very least we'll be sorting cans and glass into two containers. I, along with other residents in the Lower Mainland, am in the process of drastically reducing my garbage — from four small bags a week, to one small bag every two weeks! I have been able to reduce it by using a compost, and by sorting cans, glass and plastic which I take down to the vol- unteer recycling depot. Name Withheld North Vancouver $80-0511 986-6222 985-2131 986-1337 986-1337 985-3227 MEMBER