Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Almost Christmas in Tripoli
He garnered plaudits, his country winning approbation for how much it had done to advance liberal democracy. “I send my regards and compliments… and congratulate them for the progress they have achieved so far.” But there was more, with the leader noting “I congratulate them on the democracy that is exercised by all ethnic groups.” And Libya’s Colonel Moammar Gadhafi wasn’t through lavishing kudos just yet, stressing that he and Prime Minister Paul Martin would remain friends no matter what, “even if he is not prime minister” because “on a personal level, we have gained quite a personal friendship. We are friends not just because he is the prime minister of Canada… we shall always be friends.” [Moammar Gadhafi speaking on 19 December 2004, cited by CBC news and posted at http://sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/12/19/martin-libya041219.html].
Meanwhile, Martin, who arrived on 19 December 2004 for a few hours’ meetings with the Libyan leader, spoke well of his host. The PM observed Gadhafi has an inspired awareness of history and senses the world is evolving. But is the Colonel the man to guide his nation through these transitions? According to Martin, who spoke to the press, Gadhafi “understands that with the changing world, abuse of human rights cannot continue…Certainly, by the tenor of our discussions . . . a great deal of progress has been made and a great deal of progress is desired to be made in the weeks, the months and the years ahead.” [cited in Dan Dugas’ “Martin Puts Cards ‘on the Table’ in Talks with Libyan Leader Gadhafi, CP, 19 December 2004. Posted at http://www.recorder.ca/cp/National/041219/n121949A.html].
Not so long ago, almost any reference to the Libyan strongman was meant as a slur. In some quarters, Gadhafi embodied what stood out as reprehensible, if not utterly evil. Back in March 2003, when Canada failed to join the United States in the invasion of Iraq, members of the now-defunct Alliance party [today’s Conservatives] said that decision put Ottawa in league with Tripoli. Alliance Foreign Affairs critic Stockwell Day claimed Canada was thrust “onto the side of nations like Libya, Syria, China, nations who don't want to see a united front against Saddam Hussein.” [CBC news, 18 March 2003. Posted at http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/03/17/chretieniraq030317].
Martin’s is just one in a recent series of visits made by Western politicians and statesmen. Gadhafi is the recipient of much improved if not overwhelmingly positive media attention. He is no longer the international pariah. According to some observers, this may be accounted for by one of two major developments. First, say some, the Libyan leader was prompted to drop his objectionable behaviour and seek reconciliation with the West because he has come to see its strength in Iraq, and in order to evade such consequences himself, has had to learn to begin conforming with international standards. Martin possibly underscored objections to how the Colonel runs his government, maybe even lecturing his host on human rights abuses and about much-needed reforms, which would include an overhaul of the judiciary. Perhaps there is much to this logic, but Martin’s first of two brief meetings with Gadhafi provided some evidence for making the argument that if the Libyan is shaken by the awesome power of the West, he is doing an effective job of concealing that fact. According to accounts, he made sure his first encounter with the PM would take place in a tent “not far from the remains of Gadhafi's bombed out residence, where one of his children died when U.S. fighter jets attacked the building in 1986.” [cited in http://sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/12/19/martin-libya041219.html]. Second, some say prompting the rapprochement is economic necessity, and little else. There are raw materials, especially oil, in Libya, and they are much in demand, while the Libyans are in desperate need of markets. In fact, Martin did meet with members of the Canadian business establishment who are no doubt hoping to secure lucrative contracts. Yet the reality is that business has been going ahead with Libya for some time. Ottawa opened its Tripoli embassy in 2002, and already lifted its sanctions regime back in 1999. What’s unique about the relationship with Gadhafi in late 2004 is just one aspect, that of the aggressive public diplomacy.
Perhaps at this very early stage it may be best to avoid the panoptic interpretations of what’s going on in and with the North African state. All this may amount to little more than recognition by the West that difficulties are mounting across the Middle East, and alienating any potential contact might prove disastrous for geopolitical stability. If this is the case, then Gadhafi may actually believe he needs us less than we need his oil and goodwill.
Finally, Paul Martin is finding it hard to leave North Africa. After returning home briefly, he left again on 20 December, planning to take a two-week family vacation in Morocco. Back on 12 December he celebrated an important anniversary, his first full year in office as prime minister.
Stan Markotich
Submit comments to stanmarkotich@yahoo.com
¶ 7:27 PM
He garnered plaudits, his country winning approbation for how much it had done to advance liberal democracy. “I send my regards and compliments… and congratulate them for the progress they have achieved so far.” But there was more, with the leader noting “I congratulate them on the democracy that is exercised by all ethnic groups.” And Libya’s Colonel Moammar Gadhafi wasn’t through lavishing kudos just yet, stressing that he and Prime Minister Paul Martin would remain friends no matter what, “even if he is not prime minister” because “on a personal level, we have gained quite a personal friendship. We are friends not just because he is the prime minister of Canada… we shall always be friends.” [Moammar Gadhafi speaking on 19 December 2004, cited by CBC news and posted at http://sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/12/19/martin-libya041219.html].
Meanwhile, Martin, who arrived on 19 December 2004 for a few hours’ meetings with the Libyan leader, spoke well of his host. The PM observed Gadhafi has an inspired awareness of history and senses the world is evolving. But is the Colonel the man to guide his nation through these transitions? According to Martin, who spoke to the press, Gadhafi “understands that with the changing world, abuse of human rights cannot continue…Certainly, by the tenor of our discussions . . . a great deal of progress has been made and a great deal of progress is desired to be made in the weeks, the months and the years ahead.” [cited in Dan Dugas’ “Martin Puts Cards ‘on the Table’ in Talks with Libyan Leader Gadhafi, CP, 19 December 2004. Posted at http://www.recorder.ca/cp/National/041219/n121949A.html].
Not so long ago, almost any reference to the Libyan strongman was meant as a slur. In some quarters, Gadhafi embodied what stood out as reprehensible, if not utterly evil. Back in March 2003, when Canada failed to join the United States in the invasion of Iraq, members of the now-defunct Alliance party [today’s Conservatives] said that decision put Ottawa in league with Tripoli. Alliance Foreign Affairs critic Stockwell Day claimed Canada was thrust “onto the side of nations like Libya, Syria, China, nations who don't want to see a united front against Saddam Hussein.” [CBC news, 18 March 2003. Posted at http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/03/17/chretieniraq030317].
Martin’s is just one in a recent series of visits made by Western politicians and statesmen. Gadhafi is the recipient of much improved if not overwhelmingly positive media attention. He is no longer the international pariah. According to some observers, this may be accounted for by one of two major developments. First, say some, the Libyan leader was prompted to drop his objectionable behaviour and seek reconciliation with the West because he has come to see its strength in Iraq, and in order to evade such consequences himself, has had to learn to begin conforming with international standards. Martin possibly underscored objections to how the Colonel runs his government, maybe even lecturing his host on human rights abuses and about much-needed reforms, which would include an overhaul of the judiciary. Perhaps there is much to this logic, but Martin’s first of two brief meetings with Gadhafi provided some evidence for making the argument that if the Libyan is shaken by the awesome power of the West, he is doing an effective job of concealing that fact. According to accounts, he made sure his first encounter with the PM would take place in a tent “not far from the remains of Gadhafi's bombed out residence, where one of his children died when U.S. fighter jets attacked the building in 1986.” [cited in http://sympatico.msn.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/12/19/martin-libya041219.html]. Second, some say prompting the rapprochement is economic necessity, and little else. There are raw materials, especially oil, in Libya, and they are much in demand, while the Libyans are in desperate need of markets. In fact, Martin did meet with members of the Canadian business establishment who are no doubt hoping to secure lucrative contracts. Yet the reality is that business has been going ahead with Libya for some time. Ottawa opened its Tripoli embassy in 2002, and already lifted its sanctions regime back in 1999. What’s unique about the relationship with Gadhafi in late 2004 is just one aspect, that of the aggressive public diplomacy.
Perhaps at this very early stage it may be best to avoid the panoptic interpretations of what’s going on in and with the North African state. All this may amount to little more than recognition by the West that difficulties are mounting across the Middle East, and alienating any potential contact might prove disastrous for geopolitical stability. If this is the case, then Gadhafi may actually believe he needs us less than we need his oil and goodwill.
Finally, Paul Martin is finding it hard to leave North Africa. After returning home briefly, he left again on 20 December, planning to take a two-week family vacation in Morocco. Back on 12 December he celebrated an important anniversary, his first full year in office as prime minister.
Stan Markotich
Submit comments to stanmarkotich@yahoo.com
¶ 7:27 PM
