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Mandela and Wik

29 October 1997 - When Nelson Mandela taps you on the shoulder and offers to help, it is a fairly sure sign that you are in trouble. He has an immense reputation as an advocate for human rights and reconciliation, underpinned by his personal experience of 27 years in South African jails and as the national leader who guided his country peacefully through the painful transition from apartheid to majority rule.

Mr Mandela's approaches to the Indonesian Government to help it deal with human rights issues in East Timor have been graciously accepted, and it is to be hoped that his intervention will prove a catalyst for change there. This week, at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Edinburgh, he offered to mediate between the Australian Government and Aboriginal leaders on the issue of native title. This offer should be taken as a reminder to the Government, if any were needed, that its treatment of our indigenous people is being closely watched around the world. There is concern, and not just within Australia, at the Prime Minister's 10-point response to the High Court's Wik decision, and at the prospect that it may diminish the rights of the most disadvantaged group in our community.

Quite properly, however, Mr Howard declined Mr Mandela's offer. As he said, a head of state has no role in the resolution of a domestic issue in another sovereign state. And as the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Alexander Downer, said, we as a people must resolve our country's difficulties through our own democratic processes. But Mr Howard was also right to signal that he holds Mr Mandela in the highest regard. Mr Mandela, to his credit, couched his mediation offer in careful terms, making clear that both parties would need to request such assistance, and emphasising that he had "confidence in the (ability of the) leadership of the community of Aborigines and the Australian Government . . . to solve all of their problems".

The low-key diplomacy now being practised by the two leaders is a more constructive option. During private talks at the weekend, Mr Mandela invited Mr Howard to visit South Africa; the invitation was accepted.

Legislation based on Mr Howard's 10-point plan is before the Federal Parliament. In our view, it should not be passed into law without substantial amendment. We are encouraged to see indications from the Federal Opposition this week that it is strengthening its stance against several elements of the plan. After his talks in Edinburgh, Mr Howard should be under no illusion that he can push his plan through Parliament without attracting international opprobrium.

Source: The Age.

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