Mandela’s release a ‘public relations bonanza’ — say released CIA documents
Property of the People oversaw the release of scores of documents about Nelson Mandela from the CIA to mark his 100th birthday: recommended reading
The apartheid government had fears that SA would erupt in "unrest" if former president Nelson Mandela died in prison. This revelation was contained in a US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) document titled, Nelson Mandela: What if Alive and Well and Free in SA. It — and scores of others — were released by Washington-based group Property of the People on Tuesday to mark what would have been the struggle stalwart’s 100th birthday. "South African officials have been considering Mandela’s release primarily because they fear that the death in prison of the aging leader (who is 68) would trigger massive upheavals and would intensify international criticism‚" the document read. It was prepared in September 1986‚ almost four years before Mandela’s release. At the time‚ he had already been incarcerated for 24 years. According to the document‚ it was prepared by the CIA’s "Office of Leadership Analysis for the Secretary of State’s Advisory Committee on SA". Another part of the document reveal...
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