By Dawn's Early Light

Qadhafi Speaks

Thanks to Austin Bay, I have found the enlightened wisdom of Libya's leader, Col. Muammar Qadhafi, in the form of a blog.  To save you spending the time enjoying the fine commentary, let me give you a few choice nuggets:

• On Turkey and the EU: "It is in Turkey's economic interest to be part of Europe. It is also in the interest of the Muslim world that an Islamic nation such as Turkey is within the European Union, as a Trojan horse. On the other hand, it is in the interest of Europe that Turkey is part of NATO only as a military colony and a military base for the Alliance, but it is not in its interest that Turkey be part of the European Union. Turkey is a tree, which roots are in Asia, and only its branch that touches Europe."
• On North Korea: "Hence any attempt to unify the two Koreas internally or externally by force, or the threat to use force and terror, is a failure and should be eliminated. The Koreans ought to consider the matter seriously to assess losses of secession, the price of war and gloating of the enemies, alongside the much benefit of unity morally and maternally. Friends in the North should be more restrained and avoid some provocative behavior. The two parts should be united so as to guarantee the stopping of Nuclear programme in the North in return of withdrawing American troops from the South. When unity is achieved, the North does not need nuclear weapon any longer. No does the South need the American Army."

I would direct you to more of the site, but I think you get the idea.  I wonder if Col. Qadhafi has read Hugh Hewitt's book "Blog"?  No matter what you think about the Libyan strongman, you have to give him credit for being on the forefront of a new communication medium (and in three languages too).  Other than drawing attention to himself and his ideas, I wonder why he had it created?

Libya, the US and Oil

The New York Times had an interesting piece yesterday about the potential opening up of Libyan oil to American companies.  Some of the key points: 1) Only 25% of Libya is currently considered mapped for oil; 2) Libya probably has the largest oil reserves in Africa; and 3) Libya's current reserves could provide the US with fuel for 8 years. 

While there are many hurdles to cementing economic oil ties between the US and Libya, none of this would be possible if it wasn't for the war in Iraq.  Qaddafi, after living in isolation from the West over his terrorism involvement in German disco clubs and the Lockerbie Pam Am bombing, turned over his weapons of mass destruction (ie., nuclear program) to US and British inspectors (NOT the UN watchdog the IEAE) in late 2003. 

This bodes well for both countries as we possibly gain another source of oil outside of the troubled Middle East and Libya has the opportunity to receive Western dollars to hopefully make needed economic change within the country.  However, it is hard to be optimistic about Qaddafi.  Needless to say, he is taking credit for Bush's electoral victory.