I don't know much about the ANSI version, but I find it hard to
  imagine that it *wouldn't* have been somewhat influenced by the
  ParcPlace varient ;)

Except(!) the ANSI standard wisely did not adopt...

  [block] valueNowOrOnUnwindDo: [block]

Instead it uses (IIRC)...

  [block] ensure: [block]

-- 
Patrick Logan                 mailto:patrickl at gemstone.com
Voice 503-533-3365            Fax   503-629-8556
Gemstone Systems, Inc         http://www.gemstone.com