Gaddafi commends evolution of Europe-Africa relations
Libya, Politics, 4/5/2000

Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi urged for mutual respect between Africa and Europe to mark a new chapter in the continent's relations at the just ended Africa-Europe summit in Cairo, reported the Pan-African news agency PANA.

"I am not going to bore you with figures. I am going to talk about the general principles which I deem necessary," he said in his speech as spokesman of the Community of Sahelian-Saharan States and coordinator of the peace process in the Great Lakes region.

Gaddafi also acknowledged the "historic" character of the meeting.

"When Africa and Europe get together for a friendly meeting devoted to peace and disease control, this means a change in the history of the world," he stated.

Gaddafi denounced what he called the "demon's language" of Europe.

"We met on the battlefield for over 100 years, colonialist Europe was defeated. And here we are at a round table, far from the massacres and guns which were the demon's language," he said.

This language has disappeared to "give way to another logic," the Libyan leader said, adding that today's enemies are illiteracy, diseases, environmental pollution."

"We thank God for seeing Europe, which used to crush us under the hooves of its horses, regain sense and maturity," he noted.

According to Gaddafi, "There is now a new generation of Europeans without complexes, with whom we can build a new world with a new mentality, who speak about democracy, peace and human rights."

"When we talk about compensation for the damages sustained under colonialism, and for landmines planted by colonialists in our soil, we want that there be no repeat of colonialism," he said, stressing that, "The most important thing to do is to restore confidence between the two groups of states."

"In the past, we used to blame colonialist countries any time there was a military coup or a head of state was killed in Africa. There was no confidence," the Libyan leader said.

He also noted conflicting views on certain issues. "When we talk about liberation, you call it terrorism," he stated, stressing the need for "dialogue without complacency."

Gaddafi called on Europe to cultivate the virtues of frankness and confidence in its relations with Africa, to ensure "genuine cooperation between the two continents."

Europe should renounce the practice of corruption and refrain from exploiting ethnic differences in Africa.

"Today's world is not a world of ethnic groups, races, religions or languages. It is the world of common spaces and interests. The contrary would be reactionary, outdated by globalization," Gaddafi said.

Gaddafi who urged leaders from both groups to behave like "equal partners," also raised the issues of democracy and human rights, acknowledging the differences in points of view. "Each region has its traditions and conceptions," he noted, stressing the need to take into account the dignity of Africa.

Previous Stories:
  Shedding light on Gaddafi in the African - European summit, end of isolation   (4/4/2000)
  European Commission chief to meet Gaddafi in Cairo   (4/4/2000)
  Libyan foreign minister demands complete European - African relations   (4/3/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search