With all the renewed controversy regarding former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, I'm glad to read this interesting comment by Stephen Lewis, now the UN envoy for HIV-AIDS Africa.

He is very correct in his comments regarding the stand the Prime Minister took towards South Africa and aparteid. What people forget is that his stance was in opposition to President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Mulroney wanted and agreed with sanctions and also supporting the 'front line' states.

No doubt much will be said about some of his colourful language in the new book "The Secret Mulroney Tapes" by Peter C. Newman. I don not believe this is a hatchet job by Mr. Newman, it would fit in that Mulroney would want a complete portrait of himself. He is a fascinating figure and while many may complain about Free Trade and the GST, it is those policies that brought Canada into the 21st Century.

Of course, his foreign policy may be the best kept secret. Here he demonstrated the genius of Canadian policy, the third way that was first espouced by Lester Pearson.

When Nelson Mandela addressed the House of Commons a few years ago to commend Canada for its efforts in the defeat of apartied it was PM Chretien which took the bows. However I wondered with the way Chretien liked to cozy up with dictators, (read Suharto), I wonder if he would have favoured the status quo and keeping apartied in South Africa?


Stephen Lewis praises former PM Brian Mulroney