Sunday 4 March 2007

Don't forget Libya

On top of the situation with America's new, updated nukes, Libya is saying that the US and others have not followed through with their bargain on its nuclear ambitions. Libya has been making some headway lately and, while the North African state is still far from acceptable, it has been getting better in the eyes of the US State Department.

BBC News:

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has said his country has not been given adequate compensation for its decision to renounce nuclear weapons in 2003.

Speaking to the BBC, Colonel Gaddafi said the failure by the West to reward Libya meant Iran and North Korea were reluctant to follow Tripoli's lead.

He insisted there would be no return to the confrontation of the past, however.

Sanctions were lifted after Libya ended its nuclear weapons programme, and the US and UK have resumed diplomatic ties.

Libya was also removed from the US list of state sponsors of terror, a major step towards international rehabilitation.

If the West hopes to placate North Korea into ceasing its nuclear operations and quell Iran's nuclear revolution, it must make an example of Libya and follow through with its end of the bargain. Not doing so would only exasperate the Libyan situation, but would make nations like N Korea and Iran less likely to accept a deal in the future or carry out current deals.

A big problem Libya's nuclear program may have been averted, but forgetting to continue with the semi-fixed problems of one's past will make that and other problems worse. Put another way: keep honest and fair with Libya, and other countries watching may change their minds about how you do business.

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