Libya 'to give up WMD'

BBC ^ | 19/12/2003 | BBC

[Da_Shrimp]

Libya's leader Colonel Gaddafi has said his country sought to develop weapons of mass destruction capabilities but will dismantle this programme completely, Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced. "This decision is an historic one and a courageous one and I applaud it," Mr Blair said.

Colonel Gaddafi had told him the process of dismantling the programme would be "transparent and verifiable", the prime minister said in a statement from Durham Cathedral.

The range of all Libya's missiles would be restricted to "no more then 300km, he added.

Mr Blair said Britain had been engaged in talks with Libya for nine months.

"Libya came to us in March following successful negotiations on Lockerbie to see if it could resolve its weapons of mass destruction issue in a similarly cooperative manner," he said.

[Moonman62]

Let's see Rather, Jennings, and Al Katie try to spin this as a defeat for GWB.

[KantianBurke]

"He counted on America being passive. He counted wrong."

[dirtboy]

Tony Snow calling it a carrot and stick arguement that the President just gave.

The two tend to be more effective used together than separately, a concept the Clinton Administration never quite understood.

[YaYa123]

Don't cha love it? President Bush said he and Tony Blair had been working on this for 9 months. hee hee The media didn't know nuthin bout it?????? Another mainstream media boo boo......but of course they will just whine because this administration keeps secrets.

And folks, let's count back...what was happening 9 months ago? could it be that Quaddaffi (sp) already bombed once by ....was it Ronald Reagan???? Quadaffi must have believed this president, so willing to go after Saddam, was a man of his word and would boldly attack Libya too.

Take that Howard Dean!!! take that Bill Clinton!!!

[Dog]

I respectfully disagree......this is the Saddam effect.

[Defendingliberty]

President Bush spoils another Democrat weekend.....

[witnesstothefall]

The guy is such a whack job that he never promoted himself past Colonel.

That's the funniest line I've read today. lol

[dirtboy]

Let's see Rather, Jennings, and Al Katie try to spin this as a defeat for GWB.

They can't. So they'll just downplay it as much as possible instead.

[Da_Shrimp]

Khadaffi was always a rational man, although he concealed this fact with unusual effectiveness esp. early in his political career.

I agree with you on that: he made a big thing of cocking a snook at the West early on, but once the chips were down, he's been desparate to get back in favour.

[Callahan]

Shame they had to announce this on a Friday evening leading into a holiday week. It needs max exposure becasue it validates Bush's strategery and makes the Rats look like idiots.

[God luvs America]

Howard Dean comments "the US is no more safer because of this".

[LayoutGuru2]

Gaddafi gets it! Good for him!
He has acquired wisdom in his old age.

[aShepard]

Probably Libya was running short of funds, and decided that it was more important to have a flashy wardrobe than WMD!

[najida]

It is all about honor and respect. And letting them know beyond any doubt that we can pin them to the ground quicker than a hawk on a mouse.

For umpteen years, we had lost face it in their eyes....

We've got it back now.

[CougarGA7]

LOL!

[NautiNurse]

Qadaffi has been in captivity for months. President Bush will announce his capture when it is most advantageous for his re-election.

Love,

Madeleine Not-so-Bright

[YaYa123]

British reporter on CNN telling Wolf Blitzer that this is a huge feather in the cap for the British-American coalition.

"Hugely historic step", he says.

[Poohbah]

No. First, we told him to "do it for the Dubyafather." He told us to pound sand. So we left the head of his favorite camel on his pillow.

[NYC GOP Chick]

It happens to be the truth. Name one other psycho dictator who didn't make himself General -- or higher!

[dirtboy]

The guy is such a whack job that he never promoted himself past Colonel.

Not necessarily. The Arabic term for "Brigadier General" sounds a lot like the Arabic term for "South End of Northbound Camel."