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Libya Signs $170M Jet Bombing Settlement
In another move to improve ties with the West, Libya signed a $170 million compensation accord Friday with families of victims of a French passenger jet bombing 15 years ago. Libyaâs promise to pay represents another move by Muammar Gadhafi to shed his nationâs image as a rogue state. Last month, Libya renounced weapons of mass destruction and opened weapons productions facilities to international inspectors. The compensation deal, following years of painstaking negotiations, was signed in Paris by the director of a foundation run by Gadhafiâs son and a negotiator for the families.This supplants the original payments the French decided were too miserly only after the Lockerbee accord was reached. French President Jacques Chirac hailed the agreement, expressing "hope that 2004 will be the year of a resumption of cordial and confident relations between Libya and France." Gaullic chicanery wins again. Sigh. France will now work with Gadhafiâs government to fight terrorism and will favor its normalization of ties with the European Union, French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin said at a news conference with his Libyan counterpart, Abdel-Rahman Shalqam. Q-man, a tip: keep the French at arms length. Applause broke out after the signing of papers to seal the private deal between the group of victimsâ families and the Gadhafi International Association for Charitable Organizations, headed by Gadhafiâs son, Seif el-Islam. "Iâm certain this will open a new page in Libyaâs foreign relations," said Saleh Abdul Salam, the Gadhafi foundationâs director. Guillaume Denoix de Saint Marc, who represents the families, said they were "satisfied" with the accord. Not all details were disclosed in full. The French governmentâs cut, for example. "The Libyan government has finally recovered its honor," said Denoix de Saint Marc, who lost his father in the bombing for which six Libyans - including a brother-in-law of Gadhafi - were convicted in absentia by a French court. They remain at large. Would have been better than the money to get these six behind bars, but of course the French didnât think of that in the negotiations. Abdul Salam, speaking with reporters, said Libya "is certain about the innocence of the six convicted Libyans." He said the accord was "essentially done Just as I thought. Families will get money sometime well in the future, French get their cut now. Posted by: Steve White 2004-01-10 |
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