Nelson Mandela marks 10-year anniversary by Basildon Peta In Johannesburg The Independent / UK 9:05am 11th May, 2004   11 May 2004    In a parting shot before stepping out of the public limelight, the former South African president Nelson Mandela has attacked Britain and the United States for their alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners and for invading the country in the first place.    Mr Mandela, who turns 86 in July, was addressing a special joint session of the South African legislature to mark a decade of democracy in the country.    "We watch as two of the leading democracies of the free world get involved in a war that the United Nations did not sanction," Mr Mandela said.    "We look on with horror as reports surface of terrible abuses against the dignity of human beings held captive by invading forces in their own country.    "We see how powerful countries manipulate multilateral bodies to the great disadvantage and suffering of the poorer developing nations," he said.    Mr Mandela, who became president after the first post-apartheid elections in 1994, remained in the public spotlight after retiring from politics in 1999 after one term in office.    No leader, except the US President George Bush last year, has visited South Africa and missed an opportunity to pay a courtesy call on Mr Mandela. After branding Mr Bush "a leader who cannot think properly" for invading Iraq, there was little prospect that the two would meet.    Mr Mandela applauded parliament for changing its rules to allow itself to be addressed by an "old pensioner". He recalled the hope and confidence he felt at the time of the elections in 1994."The national climate was one of magnanimity and a great generosity of spirit. As a people we were enormously proud of what we had achieved, negotiating among ourselves a peaceful resolution to what was one of the most intractable situations of conflict in the world," he said.    But he said there was still a long way to go entering the second decade of democracy as poverty, unemployment and preventable disease threaten the democratic commitment of a better life for all.    It seems the hectic workload has finally taken its toll on the frail Mr Mandela and he is expected to settle into "real retirement".
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