ID :
208850
Thu, 09/22/2011 - 14:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/208850
The shortlink copeid
NATO members squabbling over spoils of Libya war
TEHRAN, Sept.22(MNA) -- From the very beginning of the uprising in Libya, it was quite clear that NATO members had various objectives they sought to realize in the country.
This could be understood from their differences in the definition of the NATO mission in Libya, which led to many disagreements between the United States and its European allies and even sometimes between European member states as well.
For example, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy was insisting on holding negotiations with the Libyan opposition, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was secretly communicating with members of the Gaddafi family.
Meanwhile, at the height of the battle, the Libyan intelligence chief sought refuge in London, and then Downing Street’s policy on dealing with Muammar Gaddafi became more ambiguous.
Thus, the differences between the European NATO members on the collective Libya policy became obvious from the very beginning of the military operations in the country.
In the final years of his dictatorship, Muammar Gaddafi was looking for new ways to strike up friendships with Western powers. Based on this new approach, Gaddafi promised Western countries that he would hand over his prohibited weapons and technology to extend the lifetime of his dictatorship.
This was a sign that Gaddafi’s despotic system was becoming shaky.
Several years later, the establishment of the Libyan National Transitional Council was a prelude for stabilizing the position of the Western powers and increasing their influence on the country.
That is why the French president and the British prime minister hurried to Tripoli to congratulate the Libyan interim government and to present themselves as the heroes of the Libyan revolution. The two European allies even bypassed Italy, which has always been regarded as a traditional player in Libyan affairs.
But the conflict of interest between France, Britain, Italy, and the United States is not going to be easily resolved since U.S. officials seem to be seeking greater influence over the new Libya.
In addition, it seems that NATO wants to extend its presence in Libya, and the delay in apprehending Gaddafi is a part of this plot.
And the main reason that NATO members, and especially the U.S., are seeking to extend their presence in the country is to gain greater control over Libya’s energy reserves.
This could be understood from their differences in the definition of the NATO mission in Libya, which led to many disagreements between the United States and its European allies and even sometimes between European member states as well.
For example, while French President Nicolas Sarkozy was insisting on holding negotiations with the Libyan opposition, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was secretly communicating with members of the Gaddafi family.
Meanwhile, at the height of the battle, the Libyan intelligence chief sought refuge in London, and then Downing Street’s policy on dealing with Muammar Gaddafi became more ambiguous.
Thus, the differences between the European NATO members on the collective Libya policy became obvious from the very beginning of the military operations in the country.
In the final years of his dictatorship, Muammar Gaddafi was looking for new ways to strike up friendships with Western powers. Based on this new approach, Gaddafi promised Western countries that he would hand over his prohibited weapons and technology to extend the lifetime of his dictatorship.
This was a sign that Gaddafi’s despotic system was becoming shaky.
Several years later, the establishment of the Libyan National Transitional Council was a prelude for stabilizing the position of the Western powers and increasing their influence on the country.
That is why the French president and the British prime minister hurried to Tripoli to congratulate the Libyan interim government and to present themselves as the heroes of the Libyan revolution. The two European allies even bypassed Italy, which has always been regarded as a traditional player in Libyan affairs.
But the conflict of interest between France, Britain, Italy, and the United States is not going to be easily resolved since U.S. officials seem to be seeking greater influence over the new Libya.
In addition, it seems that NATO wants to extend its presence in Libya, and the delay in apprehending Gaddafi is a part of this plot.
And the main reason that NATO members, and especially the U.S., are seeking to extend their presence in the country is to gain greater control over Libya’s energy reserves.
