| 09.01.2004
The Honorable Prime Minister Anthony Blair:
The American Libyan Freedom Alliance (ALFA) has been formed
to inform and educate the American and international communities
about the true nature of the Gadhafi regime and his violent
practices in Libya. Also, we aim to promote real democratic
reforms that protect the rule of law, constitutional liberties,
separation of powers, civil society and basic freedoms of
ownership, worship, assembly, press and expression. Gadhafi's
gross violations of Human Rights have been well documented
by several independent international organizations for Human
Rights, most notably, Amnesty International. Although most
of Gadhafi's victims are primarily Libyan citizens, nationals
of other countries have also suffered his ever-increasing
violent activities.
Most recently, Gadhafi,, under American and British pressure,
has admitted to his involvement in downing of Pan Am flight
103 over Lockerbie as well as his pursuit of weapons of
mass destruction. You are also fully aware that he armed
and financed IRA militants, the death of Sergeant Yvonne
Fletcher, and the murder of several Libyan dissidents in
various British and European cities.
Mr. Prime Minister, you have lectured the world community
on the virtues of freedom and democracy. You even assumed
a very active role in the war against Saddam Hussein as
an effort to bring democracy to Iraq. However, the world
community is not as gullible as you might like to believe.
Most people pay more heed to deeds than words. When we look
at your government's embrace of Gadhafi, and your Foreign
Secretary describing him as a "courageous statesman",
one would reach one of three conclusions. First, the plight
of Libyans is of no concern to you as long as British companies
prosper. Second, your empty rhetoric of democratic ideals
is a cloak of convenience serving only short-term gains;
and third, democracy is a western concept that does not
apply to other societies. You might claim that Gadhafi has
shed his terrorist past and, therefore, deserves a clean
bill of health. This kind of reasoning is flawed when one
examines Gadhafi's most recent statements. In a speech just
few days ago, he confessed contempt for representative democracy,
and he insisted that he would continue to pursue his oppressive
"revolutionary" ways, which have resulted in so
much havoc and terror.
It has been established beyond a shadow of doubt that appeasement
of tyrants leads to unmistakable catastrophes. With the
likes of Gadhafi, only firmness and credible threat of coercion
yield desirable results. We feel a deep disappointment and
a sense of betrayal as we see your government rushing to
embrace a tyrant with a long criminal legacy that extends
for over three decades. We urge you to put more pressure
to bring an end to Libya's decades of tyranny and oppression.
The United Kingdom should take the lead to bring those who
committed heinous crimes against Libyan and non-Libyan civilians
to justice, and to help establish a viable constitutional
democracy that serves the real interest of the Libyan people
and add to the security and prosperity of all nations.
Sincerely,
Mohamed M. Bugaighis, Ph.D.
Chairman, American Libyan Freedom Alliance |
