Libya

[Ivan Cloherty]

The "new" Government of Libya has now been recognised by 60 countries including, Germany, China, and America who all refused to support the British and French airstrikes or put advisors on the ground (e.g our SAS were there) without the Anglo-French involvement the "new" government would not have stood a cat in hells chance of succeeding

Guess who will get the contracts for rebuilding the ports and cities, yep you got it in one, America, Germany and China

President "Obi" of the USA will deflect critiscism away from his domestic policies by declaring that they (USA) have won freedom for the Libyan people.

Our Prime Minister will be waiting for the crumbs dropped off the rebuilding table that is if he can get to them before the French hoover them up.

We saw it happen in Kuwait and also Iraq........ anyone taking bets it wont happen again

Britain's new motto should be "We take the risk, you take the cake"

[Capt Bill Davies]

Ivan,

I feel We have made a grave mistake. Who is behind (embedded) within these rebels (new government)

[Ivan Cloherty]

Ivan,

I feel We have made a grave mistake. Who is behind (embedded) within these rebels (new government)

Bill

I tend to agree with you, the old saying "The devil you know is better than the one you don't" is apt to be true in so many cases, but I also feel that now we are in bed with them we (the country) should have some benefit for our "Humanitarian ! adventure"

[Neil Morton]

If there is one thing I've learned about Arab culture it is that an awful lot of baksheesh will have to flow before they agree to do anything.

[j.sabourn]

Ref. Libya. I fail to understand the reasoning of the British Government and NATO. In 1988 with the downing of the aircraft at Lockerbie and other terrorist activity I would have thought it was then that the British Government should have taken the action of force, as it was their duty to do so. Now all I can see is the unlawful aggression against a so called reconized Sovereign state, and goes against all sane peoples views on this matter. As regards the release of the so called terrorist bomber released on humantarian grounds a couple of years ago, I find very suspicious and to myself disgraceful. The western governments have a lot to answer for,if these people want what they say or consider freedom it should be done through their own efforts. All that is going to happen is the establishment of another corrupt and probably evil government. Let them get on with it., And for our so called western leaders to mind their own business viz. looking after the welfare of their own people, which they seem to forget that is the reason they were put there in the first place. Regards J.Sabourn.

[happy daze john in oz]

Few points to remember. As bad as he ended up Gadaffi did introduce one of the best hospital systems, brought water to the dessert, and education to the people. Like so many he began with good intentions but like all dictators got greedy. But now the West is getting greedy, another point to remember, Libya has oil, lots of oil!

[Capt Bill Davies]

Many years ago I met up with retired Pilot who was instrumental in training Arab Pilots in various ports around the UAE. The national oil company therein went through a policy of ‘Arabisation’ to replace the Brits. Recruits from all Arab nations were employed and they all had one thing in common, they disliked each other intensely. Egyptians, Syrians, Jordanians etc,etc, would always want to work with their own. Think of the usual SBM approach with one on the Bridge and one on the Bow. Was it not Golda Meyer back in 67 when it was suggested that she would have major problems following the Egyptian conflict and replied that ‘ Israels problems will only start when any two Arab Nations start agreeing with each other’. I’d say she was right then and the same holds good today.

[Pete Leonard (Bruno)]

My fears of embedment in the new regime concur with Capt.Davis. Who is to know at this stage who these people really are and if they are able to form a democratic system. There is no strong man emerging at the moment. The other thing that concerns me is the rebuilding contracts that will need to be dished out. I listened to an interview on radio4 this morning with one of the new ministers and he maintained that the tendering would be done fairly with no favours to UK and France, without whom they would not have succeeded. It will be interesting to see who gets the contracts, my money would be on US companies like Haliburton. This is a company that was headed up at one time by the infamous Dick Cheney, and although he repeatedly denies that he has any interest in the company most believe that he is still pulling strings in Congress. The Germans are strong favourites even though they had no involvement. The US pulled out in the early stages. I know that all tendering should be fair and transparent but surely we should be allowed to get some return for the cost of our participation. On the other hand do we have a contractor with enough muscle to compete with these huge conglomerates?

[Stuart Henderson]

Few points to remember. As bad as he ended up Gadaffi did introduce one of the best hospital systems, brought water to the dessert, and education to the people. Like so many he began with good intentions but like all dictators got greedy. But now the West is getting greedy, another point to remember, Libya has oil, lots of oil!

Exactly John. I worked in Libya for fifteen years on the Great Manmade River Project. I was working there when the Americans bombed Tripoli in retaliation for a Libyan attack in Eurpoe which killed US Servicemen,it was later proved Libyans were not responible. The American bombing destroyed a European embassy plus Libyan civilians. I went to work as normal next morning but my Libyan boss suggested I returned to camp as he thought there might be reprisals against foreigners but there was none I saw. I preffered working in Libya to other middle eastern countries.
Stuart H

[happy daze john in oz]

With the Us in the economic condition it I have no doubt it will move heaven and earth to get the contracts. But one other thing to remember when oil is involved so is the US, the two appear inseparable.