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Kadhafi son says US committed to protecting Libya
AFP ^ | December 24, 2003

Posted on 12/24/2003 12:18:33 PM PST by Shermy

CAIRO (AFP) - The son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi has said the United States has committed itself to providing security for the country and that US officials will travel there soon to ascertain its needs.

Seif al-Islam, in comments published Wednesday in the Saudi-owned daily Asharq al-Awsat, also said British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush would visit Libya in 2004.

Islam said Washington had "committed itself to protecting us from any sort of attack" and that there had been "consultations to conclude security and military accords that would lead to joint military maneuvers in the future."

American military officials "will come to Libya soon to apprise themselves of its military protection requirements," he added.

Last Friday, Libya won plaudits from the international community, including longtime foes London and Washington, with a surprise announcement that it was renouncing longstanding efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Blair described the announcement, which followed nine months of secret talks between Libya and Britain and the United States, as "courageous" and "historic".

Bush said the move by Libya, long a pariah on the world stage, would help bolster security worldwide, adding that Libya had begun "the process of rejoining the community of nations".

Referring to Tripoli's decision, Islam said factories for the production of missiles, mostly Scud-Bs with a range of 300 kilometres (185 miles) that had been built jointly with the former Soviet Union and North Korea "will not be dismantled or destroyed."

However, he reaffirmed that "programs for the production of chemical, biological and nuclear arms would stop," except those that are for defensive purposes and which will be submitted to "international surveillance."

Referring to the upcoming visits, Islam said "the British premier will visit Tripoli at the beginning of next year, followed by a visit by US President George Bush.

"I foresee (the Bush visit) happening after the lifting of US sanctions, which I believe should happen within three months at most," he told the London-based newspaper by telephone from Tripoli.

In a separate interview published in another Saudi-owned daily, Al-Hayat, Libyan Prime Minister Shukri Ghanem said the weapons programs the country was now abandoning had been designed for defense, "given that that countries (in the Middle East such as Israel possess nuclear and mass destruction weapons."

He expressed hope that the Libyan decision would inspire the international community to press Israel to abandon these arms, "which are an obstacle to a just and comprehensive peace in the region."

He also denied speculation that Libya's decision was based on "what happened in Iraq," attacked by a US-led coalition in March over still unproven allegations that it possessed weapons of mass destruction.

Washington on Monday cautiously raised the prospect of lifting sanctions against Libya after Kadhafi's decision.

"As Libya's policy changes, Libya's behavior changes, Libya's circumstances change, we'll be willing to look at those things," said State Department spokesman Richard Boucher.

"At some point, we may be in a position to make some changes."

Washington and Tripoli have not had diplomatic relations since 1981.

The US government banned the import of Libyan crude oil in 1982 and in the following years imposed extra trade, export and investment bans.

More sanctions were imposed for Libya's alleged support for terrorism in 1986, including a total import-export ban, and expanded economic and travel embargos.

Libya is also on a US blacklist as one of seven states accused of supporting terrorism.

As for Britain, diplomatic relations were severed in 1984 after a British policewoman was shot dead from inside the Libyan embassy during an opposition demonstration in London. Relations were reestablished in 1999.

The United Nations suspended sanctions against Tripoli in 1995, but did not fully lift them until September of this year when Libya admitted its role in bombing of a US airliner over Lockerbie, Scotland in December, 1988, which killed 270 people, and began to pay compensation.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: bush43; gaddafi; libya; seifalislam; tonyblair; tripolivisit
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To: Shermy
So now we are selling protection? Having two son's in the military, one that is about to get his time in Iraq stretched most likely due to poor planning on the military's part, this is not sitting well with me.

So when are we becoming the worlds' policemen? This is enough to make this died in the wool Republican into a Democrat ... well, maybe it will take more but I am not happy with this kind of news at all.
21 posted on 12/24/2003 12:44:19 PM PST by AgThorn (Go go Bush!!)
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To: cynicom
Maybe the Libyans fear an invasion by the French or the Canadians?????

Since it's the Iranians, the North Koreans, and the entire Islamic world they just double-crossed, I would say they fear all of the above, not to mention al-Qaeda.

This is bigger than it may seem, Qaddafi is simply the first of many who will realign to position themselves with the "strong horse" they now perceive the US to be. This is precisely what Victor Davis Hanson has predicted would happen, first humiliation, which could not have been accomplished without the very public whipping of Saddam, then fear, then capitualation. We are witnessing the process which will ultimately defeat terror.

22 posted on 12/24/2003 12:45:39 PM PST by wayoverontheright
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To: debg

Libya Names U.S. Beauty Contestant as Consul

23 posted on 12/24/2003 12:46:31 PM PST by Shermy
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To: Shermy
Wheelus

Just what I thought. Maybe my next assignment?

24 posted on 12/24/2003 12:48:26 PM PST by TankerKC (Don’t mistake my defensive response for commitment.)
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To: AgThorn
So when are we becoming the worlds' policemen?

If this keeps happening, we won't have to. At the very least, these people are saying "Sheriff, let me be your deputy"!

25 posted on 12/24/2003 12:49:24 PM PST by wayoverontheright
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To: hosepipe
Bush and Blair will never show up in Libya.

Too dangerous.

Send Powell or a lower official.

I smell a rat.

When something sounds too good to be true, it ALWAYS IS!

26 posted on 12/24/2003 12:49:36 PM PST by CROSSHIGHWAYMAN (I don't believe anything a Democrat says. Bill Clinton set the standard!)
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To: livius
What is your opinion of this?

Uncertain and open-minded.

27 posted on 12/24/2003 12:50:43 PM PST by Shermy (As the world turns...)
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To: Shermy
Whatever fashion problems he might have,it's never a bad idea to get on the good side of the most powerful nation on the planet.
28 posted on 12/24/2003 12:52:28 PM PST by Redcoat LI ("If you're going to shoot,shoot,don't talk" Tuco BenedictoPacifico Juan Maria Ramirez)
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To: cynicom
Maybe the Libyans fear an invasion by the French or the Canadians?????

Arab League hates him. Terrorists will now hate him. I doubt the US has offered any kind of security arrangement. This is probably just to make the Arabs think before trying anything.
29 posted on 12/24/2003 12:54:00 PM PST by Arkinsaw
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To: Shermy
just ewwwwwwwww!
30 posted on 12/24/2003 12:57:22 PM PST by debg
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To: Shermy
Still remember back in the 80s ALL the liberal geniuses predicted that REAGAN'S attack on Khadafi would make him a hero to the arabs and they would all rally to him and he would become a huge force against America
31 posted on 12/24/2003 12:57:38 PM PST by uncbob
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To: CROSSHIGHWAYMAN
Bush and Blair will never show up in Libya.

At least the idea feeds Gaddafi's ego.

32 posted on 12/24/2003 1:00:14 PM PST by Shermy (...to the shores of Tripoli...)
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To: uncbob; AgThorn; knighthawk; marron; seamole; Dog; blam; Mossad1967
Related?
________________________

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1029732/posts

AL QAIDA QUIETLY RELOCATES TO ALGERIA
MENL ^ | 11/27/03


Posted on 11/26/2003 8:40:09 PM PST by Mossad1967


LONDON [MENL] -- Al Qaida operatives have been relocating to the southern Sahara Desert in Algeria and have prepared secret bases near the border with Mali.

Western intelligence sources said the Al Qaida effort was detected in early 2003 and has been aided by the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call. They said the Salafist leadership has provided Al Qaida with hideouts and logistics in the mountain region.

"The area is ideal for Al Qaida training and command functions," an intelligence source said. "The area is isolated and is located along the border with Mali, where there is no trace of government control."

The sources said the Al Qaida operatives use the Sahara as a base to move into neighboring countries as Libya and Mauritania. The focus of the Al Qaida presence is the Mali desert near the Algerian border.

33 posted on 12/24/2003 1:07:38 PM PST by Shermy
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To: Shermy
The son of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi has said the United States has committed itself to providing security for the country and that US officials will travel there soon to ascertain its needs.

Not until Dubya' proclaims such a commitment will I take it to heart.

Has he? If so I have missed it.

34 posted on 12/24/2003 1:13:31 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: wayoverontheright
This is bigger than it may seem,..

My instincts tell me not to trust the Libyans. Perhaps the Feds showed them US invasion plans for Libya, and made them an offer that they could not refuse.

I really do have a problem buying all of this.

35 posted on 12/24/2003 1:17:06 PM PST by Radix (I am giving my Tag Lines a workout, this is just a temporary one.)
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To: AgThorn
So now we are selling protection?

Now?

If that's all it takes for you to become a Demo'rat, then you have become one long ago.

36 posted on 12/24/2003 1:20:08 PM PST by EGPWS
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To: debg; seamole
Some background on this son...

Gaddafi's son set up by MI6, libel jury told The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 04/17/2002 >

37 posted on 12/24/2003 1:20:14 PM PST by Shermy
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To: Radix; Grampa Dave
We threatened him. Here's an article from April, Bolton speaking:

U.S.: Libyan pursuit of nukes increases UPI ^ | April 6, 2003 | Eli J. Lake

"...In the interview, Bolton said he hoped the removal of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein from power would send a message to Libya, Syria and Iran. "We are hoping that the elimination of the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein and the elimination of all of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction would be important lessons to other countries in the region particularly Syria, Libya, and Iran, that the cost of their pursuit of weapons of mass destruction is potentially quite high."

38 posted on 12/24/2003 1:22:48 PM PST by Shermy
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To: Radix
Kadhafi is crazy. There's something tenuous about this whole thing.
39 posted on 12/24/2003 1:23:54 PM PST by onedoug
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To: cynicom
the United States has committed itself to providing security for Libya

AIIIIEEEEE! My head is going to explode!
;-)
40 posted on 12/24/2003 1:45:27 PM PST by polemikos (Kadaffy: I will do whatever the Americans want because I saw what happened in Iraq, and I was afraid)
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