'Libya unrewarded for ending nuclear plans'
March 03 2007 at 04:18PM
London - Muammar Gaddafi has complained that Western countries have
failed to properly compensate Libya for scrapping its nuclear arms
programme and as a result countries like Iran and North Korea would not
follow his lead.
Speaking on the 30th anniversary of his declaration of Libya as a
Jamahiriyah (state of the masses), Gaddafi told the BBC in an interview
broadcast late on Friday that the West had failed to help transform his
nuclear weapons programme into nuclear power.
"This should be a model to be followed. But Libya is disappointed
because the promises given by America and Britain so that we could give up
our capabilities were not fulfilled," the BBC Web site quoted Gaddafi as
saying.
"And therefore those countries said 'we are not going to follow
Libya's example because Libya abolished its programme without any
compensation'," he added.
Libya agreed in 2003 to abandon its nuclear arms programme and allow
access to international weapons inspectors. The move further helped bring
the North African Arab country back into the international fold after
years of isolation.
"They said if you abolish your war programme we will help you to
develop your nuclear abilities into peaceful ones. This has not happened,"
Gaddafi said.
The United States has publicly voiced hopes that Iran and North
Korea would follow Libya's example.
In February, North Korea agreed to take steps to abandon its nuclear
weapons under a deal that could bring the impoverished communist state
some $300-million in aid.
Iran is also under pressure to suspend nuclear activities the West
fears is aimed at building a nuclear bomb. Iran says its programme is for
peaceful purposes.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=68&art_id=nw20070303155643630C692838&set_id=
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