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Gaddafi Visits Italy, Comparing The United States To Al-Qaeda, Blasting Imperialists
14 June 2009
The Leader of the Revolution Muammar Al-Qathafi (R) is greeted by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi upon his arrival for his first visit to Italy, at Ciampino airport. Italy rolled out the red carpet Wednesday for Al-Qathafi, who said he has "turned the page on the past". The Leader of the Revolution Muammar Al-Qathafi praised Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi describing him as the "iron man" for his courage to undertake a historical, dangerous decision apologize in behalf of the Italian state for the colonization of Libya and the acceptance of the compensation principle. Forty years ago, Al-Qathafi vowed not to visit Italy until it recognized its past and apologized to the Libyan people whose half of them were perished as a result of Italian occupation that lasted from 1911 until 1943. But that Italy has apologized, he made a historical visit that will help strengthen bilateral relations for decades to come. Gaddafi said the Libyan people have highly appreciated these Italian actions "even though such compensation can never make up for the extermination, torture, displacement of the Libya people and the destruction of its homeland." He said "the decision by my friend Berluscouni's government and Italy is only a symbol that they apologize for the past and condemn colonialism and fascism what they committed against the Libyan people." The compensation is a symbol for turing the page of the past as currently both Italy and Libya condemn colonialism and fascism, he added. Now both In international relations, what is vital is the moral rather than the material aspect (cents and dollars) of actions that matters. "The issue is the principal and mutual understanding, recognizing and condemnation of anything that is wrong as well as the assurance that we will not commit such wrongs again," Gaddafi stressed. It was this understanding that led the signing of the Libyan-Italian Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Benghazi in 30 August 2008. Al-Qathafi said as a sign of a new era in the relations between Rome and Tripoli is the reception by Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and the Italian people of the son of Omar Al-Mukhtar to Rome with him along with another delegation of the sons and grandsons of Libyan resistance hero who died or exiled defending their homeland against Italian colonialism. "This is a historical day, thanks to my friend Berlusconi who laid the corner stone for the new era," he added. Earlier Wednesday after meeting President Giorgio Napolitano, Al-Qathafi said: "The page on the past has been turned and a new page of friendship has opened." Berlusconi said he had a "true and profound friendship" with the Libyan leader, whom he described as a wise man of the world. In a demonstration that the wounds of Italy's occupation still run deep, Al-Qathafi arrived for his first visit to Italy wearing a black-and-white photo pinned to his military uniform of Omar Al-Mukhtar, the Libyan resistance fighter during the colonial era who was hanged by the Fascist military government in Tripoli. The picture showed Al-Mukhtar in chains at the time of his arrest in 1931. Al-Qathafi told journalists the photo symbolized the tragedy of Italy's 1911-1941 occupation in the same way Christians wear a cross to mark the tragedy of Christ's death. "It is a tragedy symbolized by the cross, and this is a tragedy symbolized by the photo," Al-Qathafi told a press conference with Premier Silvio Berlusconi. Meanwhile, a number of agreements that lead to further economic, political, educational and cultural agreements were signed in Rome during the visit. Speaking to the Italian Senate, the Chairman of the African Union used an official visit to Italy on Thursday to speak out against terrorism and blast US foreign policy, comparing the country to Osama bin Laden. He said he was against terrorism but that one must "understand the reasons of this pernicious phenomenon." "What's the difference between the U.S. airstrikes on our homes and bin Laden's actions?" he asked the Italian lawmakers, pointing out that while bin Laden is an outlaw, the United States is a country that should honor international law. In 1986, Former US administration under President Ronald Reagan had ordered air strikes on Tripoli and Benghazi. Stressing that he condemned terrorism, al-Qaida and bin Laden, Gaddafi told the Italian lawmakers that being intentionally provocative "in order to try and understand acts of terrorism." He also urged the international community to make efforts to understand the reasons that motivate terrorists, and called for dialogue with terrorists, saying: "One must talk to the devil, if it brings about a solution." Al-Qathafi also denounced US policy in Iraq, saying this was responsible for turning the country into an active battlefield for al-Qaeda militants. "Iraq was a fortress against terrorism. Al-Qaeda was simply unable to get there under Saddam Hussein. Today, thanks to the United States, it is an open arena for al-Qaeda," the leader said. Gadhafi said he would ask the G-8 to reimburse Africa for decades of Western colonization.
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