"But we seemed to have assumed that thepolitical transition would just happen withoutanyone worrying about it," the former member ofthe British Parliament added.

Williams said she that when she went to EasternEurope, the governments did not know how tooperate a political cabinet.

Even conventions as basic as distributingagendas at cabinet meetings and minutes afterwardswere lost on the Eastern Europeans, she said.

The government's ineffectiveness is one of thereasons why four of five Eastern Europeancountries she visited have essentially returned topower those leaders who dominated in the days ofCommunism, Williams said.

Despite the fact that it was better preparedfor democracy, Williams still described thesuccess of South Africa as "a miracle."

She cited numerous problems in the developmentof democracy there, including a disrespect for thelaw.

Williams said that being a Black South Africanin the days of apartheid meant standing up to theoppressive law.

And, Williams added, it was especiallydifficult getting people to respect a law they hadbeen taught was autocratic