UNESCO prize to Mandela, De Klerk

I appreciated the article ``Shared Nobel Marks South African Progress,'' Oct. 18. I regret, however, that one important event was not listed in ``Steps Toward Reconciliation.'' The Nobel Prize was the second major award for these leaders' steadfast commitment to a democratic South Africa.

In February 1992, in Paris, Nelson Mandela and Frederik de Klerk received from the director-general of UNESCO, Federico Mayor, the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Prize for Peace Research. Each was presented with a check equal to $75,000, a gold medal, and a UNESCO Peace Diploma.

Both men said that the award encouraged them to continue their negotiations. Note the importance of the date of February 1992 in the chronology of their efforts. John E. Fobes, Asheville, N.C. Former Deputy Director-General, UNESCO

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