AW, SHUCKS

Even sweeter was Mandela's profuse -- and these days, rare -- praise for the U.S. Chief Executive, returned love-in style by Clinton. Mandela: "I must say that to have a strong leader, highly competent, but with a common touch, who worries himself about the needs of the people, is a species that is very rare in the world today . . . And the world is rich as long as he remains the President of this country." Clinton: "Here we are, South Africa is free, Nelson Mandela is President. Some dreams really do come true."