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US: Rice Talks to Libya's Gaddafi: "Leezza, Leezza, Leezza, I Love Her Very Much!"
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by Christina 123 | September 5, 2008 at 02:10 pm
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Colonel Gaddafi is quoted by the media as saying "I love my black African women. Leezza, Leezza, Leezza, I love her very much!"
Er, say what...?
Condoleezza Rice has had an historical meeting with Libya's Colonel Gaddafi in Tripoli and is the first US Secretary of State to have visited Libya since 1953.
The pair discussed hurricanes before beginning talks and Mr. Gaddafi broke Ramadan to share an Iftar meal with his guest.
[q url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article4686383.ece]
The Secretary of State is keen to send a message to other rogue states such as Iran and North Korea that a similarly warm embrace could greet them and old animosities be buried should they chose, like Libya, to abandon the race for weapons of mass destruction. Her trip, she said, was testament to the fact that the US “has no permanent enemies”.
All the signs were that Colonel Gaddafi has an equally warm reception planned himself. In an interview with al Jazeera last year, he showered her with praise, declaring: “I support my darling black African woman.” The Libyan leader, who began his ideological life as a militant pan-Arabist, has matured into an enthusiastic African nationalist, aligning his country’s future with the continent.
He continued: “I admire and am very proud of the way she leans back and gives orders to the Arab leaders. Leezza, Leezza, Leezza . . . I love her very much. I admire her, and I’m proud of her because she’s a black woman of African origin.”
Dr Rice said her visit was a “historic moment” symbolising Libya’s rejection of terrorist tactics, but spoke too of the “suffering” the country’s former posture had caused. Her visit comes only two months after a final agreement was struck over Libyan compensation for the Lockerbie victims.
American officials had hoped that by the time Dr Rice arrived, Libya would have deposited millions of dollars in compensation in a bank account set up for the purpose, but it was said to remain empty.
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The pair met at Mr Gaddafi's compound in Tripoli, which was hit in US bombing raids ordered by Ronald Reagan in 1986.
Libya was on the US state department list of sponsors of terrorism until 2003, when it abandoned weapons of mass destruction and renounced terrorism.
Before arriving, Ms Rice pointed out the "suffering" caused by Libya's long stand-off with the West.
Gaddafi: 'Mad dog' no more Gaddafi's shrewd move Libyans adjust to changing times"It demonstrates that when countries are prepared to make strategic changes in direction, the United States is prepared to respond," she told reporters on the way to Tripoli.
Ms Rice's meeting with the Libyan leader began when Mr Gaddafi, wearing a white robe decorated with a broach in the shape of Africa, welcomed her and her aides.
There was no handshake between the two. As Ms Rice entered the room, Mr Gaddafi raised a hand to his chest in a traditional gesture of welcome.
Before beginning their talks in earnest, the pair discussed the hurricanes bearing down on the US and exchanged pleasantries before a large gathering of journalists.
They were later to share an Iftar meal which breaks the fast during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.
The BBC's Rana Jawad in Tripoli says that six years ago, such a visit would have seemed far-fetched, but diplomacy and political will have overcome the obstacles.
'Way forward'
Earlier this month, Libya agreed to pay compensation to families of the victims of the Lockerbie aircraft bombing, for which it formally accepted responsibility in 2003.
The deal includes compensation for Libyan victims of the United States' retaliatory bombing raid over Libya in 1986.
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Christina 123
LONDON, United Kingdom
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 10:05 on September 6th, 2008
Obama should be praising the Bush team, except Libya is no longer harboring terrorists.
at 10:05 on September 6th, 2008
Christina 123, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 13:15 on September 7th, 2008
Thanks, bill hicks!