Libya seeks peace with Israel
Another great find by the people at
Little Green Footballs
Here is the
original article which says:
bq. The head of the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic team, Ron Prosor, met in Paris some two weeks ago with Libyan diplomats, in order to establish a channel of communications with Tripoli. The meeting was coordinated with Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Mossad chief Meir Dagan.
bq. A high-ranking Israeli delegation is expected to visit Libya with the aim of reaching a mutual understanding on the signing of a peace agreement, Kuwaiti newspaper A-Siyasa, quoted on the Al Bawaba website, reported Tuesday.
bq. Meanwhile, in comments published Tuesday, Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi was quoted as saying he is ready to compensate Libyan Jews whose properties were confiscated. He also said he is prepared to allow Libyans to travel to Israel, according to Arab press reports.
bq. According to Al Bawaba, the delegation, comprised of officials from the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry and the Mossad, will visit Tripoli toward the end of this month, with the aim of discussing the end of a formal state of hostility between Libya and Israel, and building normal ties between both countries.
bq. European diplomatic sources said Monday that senior Libyan and Israeli officials met in Vienna last Friday in the presence of an American diplomat from the Vienna embassy, and agreed to send an Israeli delegation in the new year.
and more:
bq. The sources told the newspaper that Gaddafi's son, Saif al Islam, and the head of intelligence, Moussa Kousa, have met Israeli officials more than once in Geneva and London during August and November with the help of Qatar's mediation.
Comment #98 from reader BJW sums it up very nicely:
bq. Gaddafi is getting old. His son is very pro-western. They both know what side they want to be on in order for them both to remain in power. It sure as hell isn't the axis of evil side.
bq. Gaddafi also sees Iraq becoming the cultural and economic powerhouse of the middle east in the next 25 years. He does not want to fall too far behind. At least his son does not. This is purely a case of money talks and bulls*&t walks.
I refer back to the classic Cox and Forkum cartoon
here (now available on Tee-shirt
here)
Posted by DaveH at January 6, 2004 4:17 PM