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Nelson Mandela in 1961 aged 42. AP Photo/File

Mandela was only taken off US terrorism watchlist in 2008

South Africa’s apartheid regime designated the African National Congress as a terrorist organisation as it fought against racial segregation.

DAYS BEFORE HIS 90th birthday, the United States gave Nelson Mandela a special present.

On 1 July 2008, more than eighteen years after his release from a South African prison, then-President George W Bush signed a bill which removed Mandela from the US terror watch list.

Mandela and other South African leaders had been added to the list by order of South Africa’s apartheid regime which designated the African National Congress (ANC) as a terrorist organisation as it fought against racial segregation in the country.

Up until his removal from the list, Mandela had to apply for special permission in order to be able to visit the United States.

“He had no place on our government’s terror watch list and I’m pleased to see this bill finally become law,” John Kerry, former Democratic candidate for president and current US Secretary of State, said at the time.

Condoleeza Rice, the Secretary of State under President Bush, said the restrictions were “a rather embarrassing matter that I still have to waive in my own counterpart, the foreign minister of South Africa, not to mention the great leader Nelson Mandela”.

The bill, named HR 5690, stated that it would “exempt the African National Congress from treatment as a terrorist organisation for certain acts or events [and] provide relief for certain members of the African National Congress regarding admissibility.”

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher also described the ANC as a “typical terrorist organisation” in 1987, leading to condemnation from human rights supporters.

Nelson Mandela will be given a state funeral in South Africa on 15 December. He is to be laid to rest in his home town of Qunu.

Read: Nelson Mandela’s funeral to be held on 15 December >

A world mourns: Memories of Mandela grace the front pages >

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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Apr 8th 2015, 12:17 PM

    I now prefer twitter to facebook. Just need events and their sorted

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    Mute MJ Brody
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    Apr 8th 2015, 12:53 PM

    i only use facebook to wish people a Happy Birthday

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
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    Apr 8th 2015, 12:55 PM

    Happy birthday.

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    Mute Top Cat
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    Apr 8th 2015, 12:39 PM

    Just as long as it doesn’t threaten thejournals copy and paste tweets policy!

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    Mute George Grey
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    Apr 8th 2015, 12:28 PM

    Skynet! One company owns all…look out folks….

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Apr 8th 2015, 3:51 PM

    Don’t worry. There is still Microsoft.

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Apr 8th 2015, 5:18 PM

    So then, which one is the evil one?

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    Mute Mick Rooney (TIPM)
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    Apr 8th 2015, 12:27 PM

    If such a deal goes ahead, I can see all Twitter users being forced to create a Google user profile, much in the way you have to with all Google products and services.

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    Mute John Wheelwright
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    Apr 8th 2015, 1:09 PM

    Google is like the EU which can be summed up in two words – Fascist dictatorship

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    Mute Keelan O'neill
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    Apr 8th 2015, 1:34 PM

    Would a fascist dictatorship allow you make such a comment or give you such unhindered Internet use? I doubt very much so. Back into your box.

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    Mute David Murphey
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    Apr 8th 2015, 4:23 PM

    You’d know the schools are closed this week :)

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    Mute archer 12
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    Apr 8th 2015, 2:38 PM

    Still don’t really see the point of twitter apart from using it to make comments. Facebook has many uses but I really don’t get twitter.

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    Mute Trevor Weafer
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    Apr 8th 2015, 4:00 PM

    It’s a micro blog. It’s not supposed to be used like Facebook. Twitter is excellent tool for getting your message heard. You select your newsfeed and see everything. No algorithms choosing what you see.

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    Mute Frederick Constant
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    Apr 8th 2015, 2:14 PM

    Great news. Really important stuff.
    Said no one about this story, ever.

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    Mute Jason D'langer
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    Apr 8th 2015, 7:41 PM

    @fred yet you took the time to read it

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    Mute Trevor Weafer
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    Apr 8th 2015, 4:03 PM

    It’s a good tech read. Facebook have also nailed mobile revenue. They have adapted well to it. Google is still struggling in that field.

    It will be interesting to see how the next few years pan out. It’s difficult to retain such a coveted spot in the tech world.

    The internet is literally watching us all. Mad.

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    Mute davedunne
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    Apr 8th 2015, 9:55 PM

    I use both, why not?

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    Mute Irish Bob
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    Apr 9th 2015, 1:41 PM

    If Google take over Twitter, then I will be deactivating and closing account as I did with facebook when they introduced their sneaky new opt ins in Jan of this year.

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