Libyan officials have complained recently that the United States has not delivered benefits promised for Tripoli's 2003 decision to abandon its WMD programs, the New York Times reported today (see GSN, Sept. 12, 2008).
(Mar. 11) -
Libyan leader Col. Muammar Qadhafi agreed in 2003 to halt his country’s WMD efforts (Epsilon/Getty Images).
The North African nation agreed to end chemical weapon and nuclear activities, and surrendered uranium enrichment centrifuges and other equipment and materials to the United States. In return, Libyan officials have said they expected to receive more tangible benefits than they have seen.
"[Former U.S. President George W.] Bush responded well about his appreciation and said Libya should be an example to the world, but that’s not enough -- that’s not what they talked about,” said Khaled Bazelya, of Libya’s National Economic Development Board. “You give something, you expect something in return; that’s the Arab way. The expectation here is very high, but the West is not responding. We need a quicker response.”
In particular, Libya would like access to civilian nuclear technology, conventional weapons and support for destroying its chemical stockpile, the Times reported (see GSN, Feb. 20).
"We gave some devices, some centrifuges, for example for America, but what do you give us? Nothing,” added Libyan Ambassador to the United Nations Abdelrahman Shalgham. “That’s why we think North Korea and Iran are hesitating now to have a breakthrough regarding their projects.”
During the Bush years, the United States eased economic sanctions on Tripoli and restored diplomatic relations that had been cut since 1980 (see GSN, Nov. 24, 2008). World leaders have begun to visit the nation, as did then-U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last year (see GSN, Sept. 8, 2008).
Obama administration officials have suggested that Libya should not expect too much more in the immediate future.
Libyan officials "were being unrealistic in their expectation for how quickly the relationship could improve," said one high-level administration official.
If the “Libyans carry on with good behavior, I think the possibilities for civilian nuclear cooperation will improve," the official said, adding that Libya might reasonably expect more technology sharing and chemical weapons destruction help (Michael Slackman, New York Times, March 11).