The issue of al Megrahi's release came up and he appeared very frustrated about the uproar in the US. He said Tripoli had assumed that the issue was closed since Gaddadi had paid the $2.7 billion settlement to compensate victims' families.
He argued on humanitarian grounds that al Megrahi's release was fair. He went on to say that Libya doesn't hold a grudge against the US for the April 14, 1986 bombings of Tripoli and Benghazi (aka Operation El Dorado Canyon) that killed some 50 Libyan civilians. Finally, he cited the release on those Bulgarian nurses convicted of exposing some 200 hospitalized children to HIV as further evidence of Libya's compassion and willingness to work with the international community to settle disagreements.
I wasn't really moved, but I do see where he's coming from. He mentioned that the tribes in his country are expected to abide by their deals and not drag up the past when it's already been settled.
What really got me thinking was the settlement. What if the US, through public policy, dropped absolutely points of contention that had already been resolved at some point? Would that be good for our (presently) hegemonic position in the world? Would it make us more secure as a nation?
I suppose the main point is to appreciate and reflect on the thinking process of the Libyians on this matter. OK. But I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with their thinking. The bombing of Libya in 1986 was not unprovoked -- it was provoked by Libyian political policy. It was a modulated response -- dialed back from a larger, more general military attack on Libya. The destruction of the airliner was different in principle. I understand you are not being an apologist for the Libyian ambassador, but I still feel obliged to counter his positions. They seem self-serving.
He mentioned that the tribes in his country are expected to abide by their deals and not drag up the past when it's already been settled.
It wasn't Libyans that got murdered by that maniac, and nothing was settled since the scumbag didn't die in prison. It wasn't a freaking treaty, it was a sentence for committing murder, he should have died in that cell.
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Kevin Haendiges
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Dunno if i buy into his surprise that much. The Libyans are used to dealing with Europeans and Americans. One would assume that they would not make such a move until they had some communication (at least back channel queries) with the main parties involved. So, either they screwed up by not doing some pre-release negotiations or they did so and went ahead knowing the stink it would cause. I would also keep in mind that the Libyan Ambassador to America's job probably includes putting a positive spin on everything that Libya does when he gets questioned by guy like Aught Six.
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"Shoot him again....his soul is still dancing"
Dunno if i buy into his surprise that much. The Libyans are used to dealing with Europeans and Americans. One would assume that they would not make such a move until they had some communication (at least back channel queries) with the main parties involved. So, either they screwed up by not doing some pre-release negotiations or they did so and went ahead knowing the stink it would cause. I would also keep in mind that the Libyan Ambassador to America's job probably includes putting a positive spin on everything that Libya does when he gets questioned by guy like Aught Six.
Who knows? We might never really know what went down. Of course, Ambassadors are their respective nations' salesmen. Those from secular Arab states in particular are always on the defensive when dealing with American perspectives on the Middle East. Although I asked "His Excellency" a softball question about Russia. I let some other jackass that everyone else already dislikes drop the al Megrahi bomb. I'm still working on getting a career going, not trying to offend the international community.
My larger point is that Middle Eastern governments again and again point to misunderstandings and the mutual lack of trust as key reasons why our relations are often rocky. We each come from different backgrounds, but obviously we need to get to know one another and find some common ground in order to get any serious work done. I've often stood up for those who happen to be Middle Eastern and/or Muslim who get caught in the crossfire between the terrorist nuts on one side and the American nuts on the other.
I don't think we as a nation are militarily or politically prepared simply to do as we please in the world. I doubt Iraq will ever happen again any time soon. That's why I continue to think over as much info from as many sources as possible to figure how to make baby steps in defeating our enemies without pissing off those who can actually help us if we give them the proper incentives. There is little doubt that the opinions of the HNI crowd in many cases mirrors significant segments of the Middle American public. I think over everything.
It wasn't Libyans that got murdered by that maniac, and nothing was settled since the scumbag didn't die in prison. It wasn't a freaking treaty, it was a sentence for committing murder, he should have died in that cell.
And Kevin, one man's murder is another man's combat death. Each of our countries has killed the other's armed and unarmed citizens. When you think about it, al Megrahi spent more time in prison than many POWs we've captured over the centuries.
I think murderers should rot for life, but it's these squabbles that can keep us from saving more lives down the road. I'm all for securing America's national interests. The problem is that our bumbling historically has led us into new dungheaps down the road. I take the future seriously, and we can learn from our mistakes while adapting to the changing world.
Anyway, this is just an academic exercise. Libyan-US relations will probably continue to grow bit by bit each year. Since 2003 when they gave up their WMD programs, they've been trying to get on our good side so we develop their economy beyong oil and what little tourism they get. Al Megrahi is a thorn in their side, but they know it really won't change the way things have been going recently.
And I believe that murderers should be killed, period. Jail teaches them nothing, and as this episode has shown, you may get out of jail if you wait long enough. I've never heard of anyone getting out of a pine box.
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Kevin Haendiges
NAHC Life Member
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Wildlife Forever Member
GOA Member
Buckmasters Member
http://hunting-indiana.com
And I believe that murderers should be killed, period. Jail teaches them nothing, and as this episode has shown, you may get out of jail if you wait long enough. I've never heard of anyone getting out of a pine box.
I'd rather prefer they rot in the hole. Saves money, prolongs solitudinous torment. But there's nothing we can do now about al Megrahi. I'm cautiously optimistic that we can keep Libya in line. Gaddafi has some strange ideas, but he saw the writing on the wall when we toppled Saddam.
I'd rather prefer they rot in the hole. Saves money, prolongs solitudinous torment. But there's nothing we can do now about al Megrahi. I'm cautiously optimistic that we can keep Libya in line. Gaddafi has some strange ideas, but he saw the writing on the wall when we toppled Saddam.
some points...
1_ "Blood money" has been a respected method of settlement in the
arab world for millennia.
2_ the 'writing on the wall' was written by Bush, not the current
ersatz CINC who proves himself a gelding at every turn. The
Iranians are picking up on it, and the N.Koreans knew it all along.
3_ the muslime world will do what it wants until it's had it's hands
slapped, and regardless of the reaction the West may have.
Like a recalcitrant child, no slaps = do what you want.
I Talked With the Libyan Ambassador Tonight
