Gadhafi: Mediterranean Union still a bad idea

Gadhafi: Mediterranean Union still a bad idea TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) - Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi says he still disagrees with the idea for a Union for the Mediterranean. Gadhafi says the creation of the bloc of countries around the Mediterranean Sea marks a «return to colonization. He says that if European countries want to show they are sincerely reaching out to southern neighbors they can pay damages to their former colonies. The idea for the union joining 43 nations including Arab countries and Israel was dreamed up by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. It was launched at a Paris summit last month but Gadhafi refused to come. Gadhafi spoke Monday during a visit to neighboring Tunisia.

Muammar Qaddafi compared the project to colonialism, insisting it would allow European powers to regain control of their former colonies, AFP reported Monday.  He also added that it would separate north Saharan countries from the African Union.   "I do not agree to cutting up Africa for hypothetical prospects with Europe," ...Qaddafi noted the idea of a Mediterranean Union -- spearheaded by French President Nicolas Sarkozy -- also threatened Arab unity efforts, adding that the participation of African countries in a Mediterranean bloc was a "violation" of resolutions by the African Union, a 53-nation continent-wide organization.  The Libyan leader has been a staunch opponent of Sarkozy's plan from the beginning and refused to attend the first summit on the Union for the Mediterranean last month in Paris.   The entry of Arab states into the Union has been dictated by their "weakness", Qaddafi concluded.  Qaddafi had earlier said the EU was trying to divide Africa and the broader Arab world by drawing a Mediterranean Union map that echoed old colonialist designs for the region.