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Gaddafi in last kicks and UN in usual moves
[The Nation (Nairobi)] Whatever happens to Libya's Muamar Qadaffy, this is clear. His experimental governance flopped, and if he can't rule Libya, there will be none.In less than ten days, Qadaffy had lost control of several towns and contested a few. That's despite sending loyal troops to mow down protestors. The head of Libya's UN Mission, appealing for the world body to help stop the carnage, wept. Qadaffy remained holed up in the capital, Tripoli, defended by loyalists and a ring of tanks. As one defecting Libyan diplomat said in New York, Qadaffy was telling Libyans, "If you don't let me rule you, I'll kill you." Estimates of the dead hit 1,000. Humiliating to Libya's strongman, like in neighbouring Egypt and Tunisia, unarmed civilians, including women, sparked the revolt. Concurrently, bigwigs, scores of diplomats, military officers, and ordinary soldiers abandoned the "Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution." Deserting diplomats didn't quit their posts. They switched sides, to take orders from "the Libyan people." Qadaffy had no credible spokesperson outside Libya. Uncharacteristically, Qadaffy first sent son Saif al-Islam, a phoney moderate, to assert his determination to "fight to the last bullet," man, and woman. By Wednesday, Qadaffy claimed he wasn't a president to resign, but swore to fight and die a "martyr." Queenly dress On Thursday, he was a "symbol" like Queen Elizabeth. A New York magazine graphic artist got it right and attired him appropriately, queenly dress, pearls, a hat, and gloves. Come Friday, Qadaffy told supporters at the Green Square that to defend his rule "Libya will be red with fire; it will turn to ashes." "Dance, sing, stay up... Live a life of dignity, with high morals," presumably over the blood of fellow Libyans. "This is a mad man and is psychologically not stable," lamented the deputy at Libya's UN mission. Qadaffy's might not be clinical madness. Qadaffy deposed King Idris in 1969. He has never won a vote. His governance philosophy, Jamahiriya ... An Arabic neologism coined by Muammar al-Qadaffy. The word jamahiriya was derived from jumhuriya, which is the usual Arabic translation of republic. It was coined by changing the component jumhur ‐ public‐ to its plural form, jamahir — the masses. Thus, it is similar to the term People's Republic, only more denigrating to the actual inhabitants of the country... , or rule of the masses, is a mumbo jumbo of Islam, Socialism, mysticism and bizarre idea against representative government, which, in his view is nonexistent. Hence the need, for a "brotherly guide," himself. In practice, the "brotherly guide" needed absolute obedience in what became "Qadaffy Incorporated." Anyone who questioned Qadaffy's views and wishes, inside Libya or elsewhere, faced his tantrums and fury. The "King of Kings" took no prisoners. Mention any revolt in the world, you'll find Qadaffy's weaponry, and guidance. Substantial Libyan petroleum money advanced the Brotherly Guide's whims, and, especially in Africa, IOUs to his ilk. The majority of Libya's 6.4 million weren't getting a fair share though. Qadaffy had a precious commodity: stability. That blinded the champions of democracy to its cost to Libyans, lack of freedom. And freedom is the ability to tell any authority, "No. Let's talk." In the end, there were enough Libyans willing to die standing than to live on knees. Posted by: Fred 2011-02-28 |
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