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FINANCIAL TIMES Gadaffi turns westward seeking a new image ============================== By Roula Khalaf, Middle East editor Published: January 23 2002 18:28 | Last Updated: January 23 2002 18:59 As part of Libya's contribution to the global anti-terror campaign, a justice ministry website has posted the names and photographs of "wanted" exiles. The screen flashes the $1m reward Tripoli is willing to pay for information on them. "Libjust.com" appears to be an attempt to capitalise on the post-September 11 mood and underline that Libya, most often forced to defend itself against terrorism charges, is now on the side of those fighting extremism. But for Ashur al-Shamis, one of the London-based dissidents sought by the Libyans, the wanted list sets a dangerous precedent. "I've been in opposition to the regime since 1979 and they've never described me as a terrorist - until last month. Now I feel fully exposed to attacks," he says. Mr al-Shamis runs an anti-regime electronic newsletter that has outraged officials in Tripoli. He admits that he once held sympathetic views about the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group, an organisation that targeted Libyan security forces in the 1990s but was crushed by the regime. The US says the group is linked to Osama bin Laden, the alleged mastermind of the September 11 attacks. But Libyan claims that Mr al-Shamis has ties to the Islamist organisation and that he has been involved in financing violence do not appear to be taken seriously by the UK government. Western officials say there is no evidence he has been involved in terrorism. "He's an Islamist and he's in opposition so the Libyans are upset by him," says a western official. "They've decided they don't like him and they're using the current security environment to have a go at him." The September 11 tragedy has offered Libya a rare opportunity to highlight that it has turned the page on its dark past. Colonel Muammer Gadaffi rushed to condemn the attacks on the US and to offer Libyan assistance. His claim that Libya has itself been the target of terrorism was bolstered by the inclusion of the Islamic Fighting Group on the US list of banned organisations, though little remains of the group. Since September, Tripoli has handed over to the US a list of people it says have helped Mr bin Laden. Libya also claimed to have information about the Taliban, with whom it has tried to negotiate in the past for the hand-over of Libyans who have fought in Afghanistan. Western officials say that, while the information was welcomed, it did not prove of great use. "The helpfulness comes in the fact that the Libyans are not opposed to the global campaign and to the war on Afghanistan," says an official. Libya is hoping that joining the anti-terror war may accelerate its rehabilitation and achieve the great prize sought by Col Gadaffi: a resumption of diplomatic ties with the US. Washington appears to recognise the improvement in Libyan behaviour as Col Gadaffi turns his attention to developing a new image as a mediator in African conflicts. Libya's inclusion on the US state department list of states sponsoring terrorism is open to review. But diplomats say a rapprochement requires first a resolution of outstanding demands on the Lockerbie case. Last year a court found Abdel Basset al-Megrahi, a Libyan intelligence agent, guilty of the 1988 bombing of the Pan Am flight over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. The Libyan's appeal began on Wednesday. If the verdict is confirmed, Libya has to accept responsibility for the act and pay compensation to families of victims, as required by UN resolutions. In meetings between US, British and Libyan officials - the most recent was held in London this month - American officials have been seeking to convince Tripoli to agree a compensation package before the end of the appeal process, arguing that the outcome will not be favourable to the Libyans. People close to the discussions say that in the aftermath of September 11, Col Gadaffi may be more amenable to an early resolution of Lockerbie and that he is considering a deal. They also warn, however, that revolutionary zealots in Tripoli could undermine the leader's efforts by actions such as the persecution of exiled regime opponents. "Gadaffi knows that September 11 presents an opportunity to move ahead on relations with the US," says a long-time expert on Libya. "But he should also know that after September 11 Libya won't get a second chance if anyone there misbehaves." --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: [email protected] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
