Qathafi agrees to let in international weapons inspectors

Each of Libya, the U.S. and Britain yesterday simultaneously and unexpectedly announced the consent of Libya to give up any banned weapons and to join the international agreements on nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons and to limit the range of its missiles.

This was a step recommended by Washington, and described by the Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi as "wise," and considered by London as the beginning for Libya's return to the international community.

As soon as the three statements were issued in London; Washington, and Tripoli, American and British sources started addressing various accusations to Libya. A British source said that Libya was "about" to manufacture a nuclear weapon before reaching the agreement. It was confirmed by an American source to that the Libyan nuclear program was more developed than Washington has expected, while an American source admitted that the Libyans admitted to cooperation with Northern Korea to developing Skud missiles.

In a televised speech, the British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced "Libya came to us in March, following successful negotiations concerning Lockerbie, in order to know if it can solve issues pertinent to the mass destruction weapons in a similar way. Libya now announced its intention to completely give up the mass destruction weapons it owns, and to limit the range of the Libyan missiles to a distance not to exceed 300 Km. Blair considered that these steps will qualify Libya to "rejoin the international community."

In an indicator which seemed as a tripartite agreement started in March, the month which marks the beginning of the American onslaught on the region and the war against Iraq, Blair said that British and American experts have been in talks with Tripoli over banned weapons since nine months, following the success if the agreement provided to end the UN sanctions prescribed on Libya concerning the Lockerbie issue.

He added that "as a result of that, Libya now announced its intention to give up the mass destruction weapons it has." He considered what had happened proves that this phenomenon can be fought "peacefully" without embarking exclusively on military methods.

For his part, Qathafi said that the decision was "wise, and a brave step, so as Libya to be an example for the world countries to give up mass destruction weapons." The Libyan news agency quoted the Libyan The secretary of the Libyan people's general committee for foreign contacts and international cooperation Abdul Rahman Shalqam, (foreign minister) Abdul Rahman Shalqam as saying in an official statement "Libya confirms that it abides by the NPT and the guarantee agreements of the International Agency of Atomic Energy," adding that Libya "accepts any other obligations including the additional protocol on the guarantee agreements of the International Agency of the Atomic Energy and the Chemical Weapons Treaty.

The statement indicated that "Libya sought to develop its defense means because its call to make the region of the Middle East and North Africa free from nuclear weapons did not receive a positive response." The statement added that "talks took place between Libyan, American, and British experts on Libya's activities in this field, after which Libya decided, by its free will to get rid off all items and equipment, and programs that are conducive to the production of internationally banned nuclear weapons."

In its statement, Libya renewed that "the arms race does not serve its security, nor the security of the region, and contradicts with its great care to have a world of peace and security," calling on all stated "to take similar steps, starting from the Middle East, and without any exception."

Meantime, the US President George W. Bush appeared in the same day to announce that today ( yesterday) in Tripoli, the Libyan leader announced openly his commitment to eliminate all mass destruction weapons in his country, and approved immediately and without set precondition to permit U.N. inspectors to enter Libya for inspection.

In a speech he delivered in the White House, Bush said that Qathafi's vow, is honored, and will contribute to consolidating the U.S. security. He indicated that the war on Iraq, and the pressures on North Korea, had sent a clear message to all countries like Libya on the need to accept giving up mass destruction weapons. He called on other countries to follow Libya's example.

He added that Qathafi knows what road he should take, announcing that Libya admitted it owns mass destruction weapons, and it will get rid off it, noting that Libya should fulfill its obligations in the war against terrorism. He said "publicly confirmed his commitment to disclose and dismantle all weapons of mass destruction programs in his country. He has agreed immediately and unconditionally to allow inspectors from international organizations to enter Libya. These inspectors will render an accounting of all nuclear, chemical and biological weapons programs and will help oversee their elimination."

Bush indicated that the talks between Tripoli, Washington, and London on Libya's development of mass destruction weapons had been ongoing for nine months, and that the diplomatic means led to convincing this country to put an end to its ambitions in this direction. He indicated the possibility of improving Libya's relations with the US if it fulfills its obligations, but the US President did not confirm lifting the US sanctions which have been imposed on Libya since 17 years.

While some view this declaration as a smart move by Libya to protect itself from false pretexts used for political rather than military reasons, Libya a country that was never seen to be even remotely close to being a military threat or possessing credible military capabilities, by not making this declaration unilateraly, and without talks with the US and UK, have lessened the power to its declaration, and gave the U.S. and the U.K., countries which see Libya as a political enemy, claims they are anxious to use to raise their standings which the U.S. and U.K. have and continue to suffer at the international level.