I think that is a very noble statement Brendan. I would suggest that De Klerk was the person making the big step. The ANC, Mandela and the world in general may have made the De Klerk step a seamingly unavoidable one, but many a leader would have held out for another decade or more before reconciling. Mandela led the movement out of oppression and the ANC and its terrorist/military wing attracted the world's attention to the shortcomings in south africa. Black Africa made a very big sacrifice. But also at the end of the day, the guy in control needs to make a big concession and risk losing his political future, De Klerk did this. In northern ireland terms DeKlerk would be David Trimble - who I admire trmendously - he took the big step in northern ireland of speaking to terrorists - he was the first to do so and a lot of the current reconciliation in NI has to do with him. John Hume put Trimble and Adams together to sort out their differences. All three are to be admired.