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Kadafi arrived in Belgium and was greeted by Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission. Kadafi's entourage went to the Val Duchesse palace, the residence for dignitaries. Kadafi's people set up a black tent on the grounds of the palace. He is expected to sleep there. As an individualist he is almost unequaled.
With reference to Islamic terrorism, Kadafi told Prodi:
"There is no excuse, they are enemies of peace, they are murderers."
Kadafi is definitely an enemy of Osama bin Laden. As a matter of fact, the very first Interpol arrest warrant against Osama bin Laden was issued by Libya BEFORE the September 11 attacks against the World Trade Center.
Kadafi and the United States politically agree on very little. But this should not prevent us from cooperating with Kadafi in order to catch terrorists and reduce terrorism in the world. So he boasts a little:
"Libya, which led the liberation movement in the Third World and Africa, now has decided to lead the peace movement all over the world."
We do not believe it was a "liberation movement." But even so, we can embrace his desire today to be part of a "peace movement."
What does he mean by "peace movement"? Kadafi candidly elaborates:
"Libya cannot hide or deny its role in the liberation movement. Libya was full of camps embracing liberation fighters from all over the world. We did our historical duty.... Libya fought America and shot down its pilots and aircraft. But now the time has come to reap the seeds and fruits of this armed struggle - namely, peace, stability. Now we are facing different or new challenges, which are common enemies to all of us, we who fought each other."
In plain language, we are not friends, but it pays for us to cooperate with each other because we have a terrible common enemy: terrorism.
President Bush has approached the fight against terrorism in the extremely competitive way he approaches everything else. We the "good" will get rid of the "evil." It is a war of "us" against "them." "You are either with us or with the terrorists." Iraq is an "imminent threat" and we must declare war.
An enemy is telling Bush that cooperation will help both of them more than extreme competition. Of course, this goes against Bush's gut feelings. But he should listen and Kadafi-ize the "war on terror": Develop contacts and networks in as many countries as possible for gathering information about terrorists and their activities. Build cooperative networks for catching and bringing terrorists to justice. Ease the way for building networks by helping countries with their physical, social and economic problems.
Start with Libya. Instead of pontificating about freedom and democracy - as we are doing in Iraq - help Libya build up its economy. Isn't this what we are doing with undemocratic China? Whatever we do this way will demonstrate to the world that fighting terrorism is beneficial, that cooperating with America can do some good for a country. The contrast with the war and devastation in Iraq is unbearable.
Do the same for other countries that breed terrorists. Don't spread American propaganda. Instead help them in material ways. Find leaders who are fed up with current chaotic conditions, team up with them, help them address the problems they are confronted with. Help them build decent education systems. Help them develop their economies in their way; we should act as advisors or supporters, not bulldozers.
"Kadafi-ize" the "war on terror" by replacing some "war" with cooperation and helpfulness to build a strong international community for ferreting out terrorism.
