South Africa Feb, 1985 Nelson MandelaThe Release Offer
South Africa Feb, 1985 Although considering Mandela a dangerous "arch-Marxist",in February 1985 Botha offered him a release from prison if he "unconditionally rejected violence as a political weapon". Mandela spurned the offer, releasing a statement through his daughter Zindzi stating, "What freedom am I being offered while the organisation of the people remains banned? Only free men can negotiate. A prisoner cannot enter into contracts."
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal Tuesday Feb 5, 1985 U.S.A Monday Feb 11, 1985 Nuclear PowerThe overall failure of the U.S. nuclear power program
U.S.A Monday Feb 11, 1985 Over 120 reactor proposals in the United States were ultimately cancelled and the construction of new reactors ground to a halt. A cover story in the February 11, 1985, issue of Forbes magazine commented on the overall failure of the U.S. nuclear power program, saying it "ranks as the largest managerial disaster in business history".