And
actor plays the role of Mouamar Qaddafi at an extravaganza
only
a despot could dream up or pull off. The 'celebration,' which
lasted
six days, was for Qaddafi's 40 years of absolutist power.
Le Monde, France
West Has No Shame
When it Comes to Despotic Qaddafi
"His
record is damning. … An aging and pathetic despot, he reigns over a country
deprived of a constitution, where democracy is an empty word and human rights
an empty slogan. Qaddafi is judged not very respectable, but the checkbook he's
waving throws Western minds off kilter."
EDITORIAL
Translated By Mary Kenney
September 1, 2009
France - Le Monde - Original Article (French)
Everything was finally ready in Libyan capital Tripoli to celebrate
with pomp, for six days beginning September 1, the 40th anniversary of a revolution
that in 1969 saw a handful of “free officers” overthrow old King Idris I (king's photo,
left; video of celebration, below). Among the twelve young soldiers who brought the monarchy down without
spilling a drop of blood, one of them, a lieutenant of barely 27 years, Mouammar Qaddafi, quickly
imposed himself as the absolute master of the country. And he still is.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
[Editor's note: Ways to spell Qadaffi, or is it Gaddafi, Khadafy, Kaddafi or perhaps Kadafi? Apparently, we'll get no help on this from the man himself].
His record is damning. The dashing
officer who modeled himself on Egypt's Nasser has been an across-the-board failure.
Now an aging and pathetic despot, he reigns over a country deprived of a constitution,
where democracy is an empty word, justice an instrument at the service of power,
and the defense of human rights an empty slogan. Economically, the news
is no brighter. Sitting atop the greatest petroleum reserves in Africa, the
“Guide” has squandered Libya's oil-based manna from
heaven by the hundreds of billions, on weapons purchases or pharaonic projects.
European leaders aren't rushing
to the side of the vexing and capricious Colonel Qaddafi. Particularly since on
the dais will be the only person condemned for the Lockerbie bombing (270 dead),
who was recently released by Scotland. To avoid being accused of endorsing a
regime long considered a pariah, European leaders will remain at home, trusting
to others - a minister, an ambassador - the task of representing them.
But in their manner of dodging
this invitation of the “Guide,” one senses some embarrassment. In France, for
example, one had to wait until non on Monday before the Elysée [foreign
ministry] to finally announce that the Minister of State for Cooperation and
Francophony, Alain Joyandet - not Nicolas Sarkozy, as Libyan sources alleged, would
represent our nation in Tripoli.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
At issue is that no Western
country wants to quarrel with a nation saturated with oil and gas and which has
decided to invest every which way possible to make up for lost time. Already
solidly planted in Libya, Italy wants to build highways and refineries in its
former colony. Great Britain is eyeing the black gold. France hopes to sell it Rafale
jets and nuclear power plants. And Switzerland hopes to restore to its bank coffers the
petrodollars that the “Guide” has withdrawn. Colonel Qaddafi
is judged not very respectable, but the checkbook he's waving throws Western minds off kilter.
SEE ALSO ON THIS:
Die Welt, Germany:
Retrial of Lockerbie Bomber Would Have Been Preferable
Le Figaro, France:
Persuasive Leads in Favor of Lockerbie Convict Were Overlooked
Le Quotidien d’Oran, Algeria:
West's 'Profound Hypocrisy' Over Lockerbie Release
Trouw, The Netherlands:
Lockerbie 'Suspect's'
Release Reflects
Strength of Civilization
Guardian Unlimited, U.K.:
Scotland's 'Brave and
Principled' Release
Irish Examiner, Ireland:
Angry Over
Lockerbie, U.S.
Tourists Snub Scotland for Ireland
La Stampa, Italy:
'Historic Handshake' for Ghaddafi and 'Obama the African'
CLICK HERE FOR FRENCH VERSION
[Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US September 13, 1:29pm]
