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afrol.com, 9 September - As the Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs yesterday addressed the United Nations Millennium Summit, he called
to account the definition of terrorism, made by the world's powerful
states. Before condemning the weak fighting for their rights, one should have a look at the terrorism performed by "the World Bank, the MF and the WTO",
he said confirming Libya's crusade against the world's powerful. More surprisingly the Minister (or as he is called, the Secretary of the General People’s Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation of Libya) attacked the Ottawa Convention on anti-personnel mines. Libya is one of the few African countries that neither has signed nor is willing to sign this treaty, meant to protect civilians against the ravages of war, putting his country alongside with the United States, which neither is willing to sign the treaty. Shalghem explained that the treaty only deals "with simple weapons of limited effect. We, who are incapable of defending our lands and borders against the powerful who possess sophisticated weaponry, feel that humanity should focus its attention on the destruction of nuclear, chemical, ballistic and biological armaments, rather than mines." The treaty does, however, not forbid anti-vehicle mines, only mines that are most harmful for the civilian population. - Terrorism today has assumed many new forms, Shalghem went on. "Sanctions are combined with resort to brutal force. The threat to use such force constitutes a form of terrorism, as do the conditions imposed by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the WTO. In order for the international community to combat terrorism, it must, first and foremost, define terrorism and the causes behind it." Shalghem underlined that distinctions have to be made between terrorism, and people’s legitimate struggle for freedom and struggles by persecuted groups against their persecutors - "also labelled by some as terrorism." - There should be compensation for those who fall victim to terrorism and violence, he said. Unless such issues are addressed, the signing or ratification of any international convention on terrorism will be to no avail, Shalghem concluded one of the most original speeches held on the Summit. It has been proven that Libya, by "conventional" definitions, has been supporting terrorism in many parts of the world.
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