MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Maria Appakova)
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has completed her tour of North African nations. Her visit to Libya was its focal point, and Rice herself called it historic. For the first time in 55 years, the head of U.S. diplomacy arrived in that country. Moreover, for the first time, a high-ranking U.S. politician met with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, whom U.S. President Ronald Reagan called the “mad dog” of the Middle East.
Rice also visited Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco. This was her first visit to these countries as secretary of state, although at the beginning of his term U.S. President George W. Bush paid much attention to these countries. Tunisia, for example, took an active part in carrying out the Washington-initiated partnership between the United States and these countries. The West cited Tunisia as an example of successful democracy in the region. But later on, Washington turned its attention to Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan, which took all of its time. Besides, the experiments with democracy in these countries were too dubious to continue with the plan of developing democracy in the Greater Middle East.
Now Washington wants to prevent northern Africa from turning into Al-Qaeda’s new base. How is it possible to combine democracy with radical Islamism? How can the countries engulfed in regional conflicts be united into a single front of struggle against terror? These difficult tasks are not likely to be resolved by the outgoing U.S. administration. In this context, Rice’s visit is belated. Libya, however, is another matter. Restoration of diplomatic relations with that country is Washington’s only achievement in the Middle East during the Bush presidency.
Washington started this process in 2004, after Libya renounced the development of weapons of mass destruction and condemned terrorism. Rice said that the restoration of diplomatic relations “demonstrates that the U.S. doesn't have permanent enemies. It demonstrates that when countries are prepared to make strategic changes in direction, the United States is prepared to respond.”
This is a clear hint to Iran and North Korea, as well as Hamas and Hezbollah, but they are not likely to accept it, primarily because of Washington’s lecturing tone, which it never allowed itself in the dialogue with Gaddafi.
Tripoli has done everything in its power to present the restoration of diplomatic relations and Rice’s visit as a favor to Washington rather than a concession. She was met with much reserve, and all her attempts to talk about the favorite subject of democracy were nipped in the bud.
Thus, at a joint news conference, Libyan Foreign Minister Abd al-Rahman Shalgam pointed out that his country does not need any pressure or lectures on human rights. Ironically, Gaddafi invited Rice to his residence, which was bombed by the Americans in 1986 and where his adopted daughter was killed. In fact, every delegation to Libya has to visit it to honor the “victims of U.S. aggression” and sign the memorial book. But the media did not show Rice signing the book. Judging by this, Gaddafi decided not to finish off his guests, and parted with this page of the past, although he invited Rice to this palace rather than his favorite Bedouin tent where he met with Putin last April.
However, Rice did not look insulted. TV channels demonstrated her radiant smile during her meetings with both Gaddafi and Shalgam. She merely said that Washington and Tripoli had certain differences, and that they may have them in the future but this was not a hindrance to the resumed relations between the two countries. This was surprising restraint on the part of the United States. Even when its relations with Russia were at the prime, and U.S. politicians emphasized its successes on the road to democracy, they never forgot to tell Moscow what it still had to do, and what mistakes it had made. There was always a fly in the ointment, and Russia got used to explain it by Washington’s desire to impress its domestic audience.
Relations with Libya are essentially the same game. Tripoli’s renunciation of the weapons of mass destruction is too important a gain in Washington’s political piggy-bank to overshadow it by reproaches or lectures. Apparently, Washington wants to postpone lecturing for the future. As long as Col. Gaddafi is alive, Libya will conduct dialogue with America as an equal, if not as its superior.
Speaking on the Al Jazeera network, Gaddafi said about Rice: “I support my darling black African woman. I admire and am very proud of the way she leans back and gives orders to the Arab leaders.” These words show that he sincerely admires Rice, and despises leaders who are toadying to the United States. But they also hint that Tripoli cannot be broken, and that an alliance with it may be beneficial.
Libya is too important a player in Africa. Moreover, intelligence sources maintain that Libya is fifth in the world in oil deposits. It is and a major supplier of energy resources on a par with Persian Gulf monarchies and Iraq, which traditionally export them to the United States. But the political situation in the Gulf is too unstable, and it would be wise for Washington to play it safe, especially now that relations with Russia, another supplier, have become much worse.
However, Rice said that Libyan-U.S. relations are not limited to energy, and extend beyond U.S. demand for oil. This may be so, but it is energy resources that prompted Washington to restore diplomatic relations with Tripoli. The next U.S. administration will receive good legacy.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent those of RIA Novosti.
