Mandela off U.S. terrorism watch lists

* Story Highlights
* Nelson Mandela was on list for fighting South Africa's apartheid regime
* He will be removed under a bill President Bush signed Tuesday
* State Department, Homeland Security will waive restrictions
* Mandela spent 27 years in prison for fighting South Africa's racist system

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former South African President Nelson Mandela is to be removed from U.S. terrorism watch lists under a bill President Bush signed Tuesday.

Mandela and other members of the African National Congress have been on the list because of their fight against South Africa's apartheid regime, which gave way to majority rule in 1994.

Apartheid was the nation's system of legalized racial segregation that was enforced by the National Party government between 1948 and 1994.

The bill gives the State Department and the Homeland Security Department the authority to waive restrictions against ANC members.

"He had no place on our government's terror watch list, and I'm pleased to see this bill finally become law," said Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 with F. W. de Klerk, the South African president and National Party leader who worked with Mandela to end apartheid. Mandela replaced him as president in 1994 and served until 1999.

Recognized as a symbol of freedom and equality, Mandela will turn 90 on July 18. ...

www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/07/01/mandela.watch/index.html