Gaddfi

I started the thread because I could not see why Blair had agreed to offer Libya the "hand of partnership". I said that I though it was a positive development but I was still puzzled at the timing and why Blair rather than the Foreign Secretary. It suddenly occurred to me that since we had not got any oil out of the Iraq war - as America had decided to keep it all for itself - we were probably after getting extra oil from Libya. Hence I posted the single line summing up my conclusion - in no way was it a whinge. I was pleased to note that Tony Benn appearing on Question Time had arrived at a similar conclusion. I do not drink, Stormy, and it would obviously be a very positive step for you to be able to say the same! :-) [%sig%]

Of course it's about oil ..... and nothing else. Oil production peaked in Britain in 1999 at 2.9M barrels per day, but by 2007 we'll be on only about 1.6m bpd. Without a doubt we'll be hit by the big oil crunch some time between 2010 and 2015, (in 6 to 11 years time). Iraq produces about 6m bpd, but we fucked that up, right? So we look to Libya, Africa's major oil producer. We conveniently forget about the Lockerbie Pan Am flight and wpc Yvonne Fletcher. Libya has proven reserves of 29.5 billion barrels of oil. That's in reserve! And it's currently producing 3.3m bpd (74% of which goes to Italy, Germany, Spain and France). And don't forget, as Libya's oil industry contributes between 75% and 90% of state revenue, the country is reliant on foreign investment. They need us as much we need them.

if it helps peace it will be a good thing

I agree, zemmy, but I'm wondering if Blair is only doing it to try and redeem himself in the eyes of those who were against the Iraq 'war' and believe we are consequently in much greater danger from terrorist attacks. People seem baffled as to why Blair, rather than the Foreign Secretary, is meeting Gaddafi. Perhaps former US National Security aide Richard Clarke’s statement that the Iraq ‘war’ was a serious set back for the ‘war on terror’ has convinced Blair that it’s time to do more to convince the electorate that he is making every effort to minimise support for Al Quada et al. The Prime Minister said: "Let us offer to states that want to renounce terrorism and the development of weapons of mass destruction our hand in partnership to achieve it, as Libya has rightly and courageously decided to do.” After recent events in Israel it's good to see something positive at last. Fingers crossed.

Oxford: Gadfly n. irritating person.

very interesting

Blair and Gadaffi offering each other the 'hand of partnership' makes a lot of sense to me. After all both sets of hands are covered in blood.

It is about oil...Blair et al are scared that Libya might form an African alliance...along the same lines as the old EU...Gaddaffi is showing signs of forming partnerships with other Northern African Countries One possible consequence of this is eventually Gaddafi would have influence in Nigeria. Nigerian oil is the best quality oil in the world...requiring less fractional distillation to get out the petrol and kerosene etc. In fact our oil from the middle east is always mixed with Nigerian oil pre distillation to make the process more cost effective... so you can see why we need to be buddies

As so often with me and Blair, I don't really object to the substance of what he's doing (opening dialogue with a dangerous dictator in an attempt to try and persuade him to be less dangerous and to stop dictating) but I don't like the style, I think we're being too friendly, too soon.

In practice, it's good. Preferable to war, obviously. But it is also a Blair propaganda ploy to demonstrate that the war in Iraq must have been a good thing, because it dissuaded Gaddafi from going down the same road as Saddam. It's not that simple, though, because Gaddafi was changing direction before the Iraq war, thanks to the efforts of people like Nelson Mandela.

Ah! No oil for Britain from Iraq - so now we get it from Libya!

Dear Friend, I got your contact from the World Trade Organisation directory of the US, Canada & European Union and I am very sorry to interrupt your peace since you are not expecting to receive any mail from me. However, I was obliged to do so due to the importance and urgency of the message. I crave your indulgence, and want to reassure you that I mean well and that it is only for our mutual good. So please do not be embarrassed. My name is Dr.Smith Cole; I am a social worker with an ternational- overnmental/Voluntary organization based in Switzerland. I am the accounts/ Project Director in-charge of the Middle East regional resentation. Our organization, through local NGO'S and other Agencies and in partnership with the United Nations High Commission for efugees, UNHCR, UNESCO, etc works and sponsors development projects and social services in some third world/ developing countries, assistance and re-settlement of victims of natural disaster, civil wars and Refugees, displaced/oppressed children and minority people around the world. I am just back from Iraq where in the cause of performing our duties we found a huge amount of cash in an abandoned Palace, I reached an agreement with the members of my team whom are UN officials and we agreed to keep this money to ourselves and then moved the box out of Iraq to Europe (with their immunity as UN officials they are not searched at borders or airports). Now, I am in need of a reliable and trustworthy person or company overseas whom I can confidently work with since my work does not permit me to own a foreign bank account or any personal business until retirement, I have the honor to confide this information in you and to request for your pleasure to assist to receive and secure the money in your account, pending our retirement from service. Please understand that my approach to you is based only on my positive reasoning and on the belief that you will not disappoint or betray me at last. The amount is fairly huge and we have agreed that on completion of the deal, you will retain some reasonable percentage of the only(20%) as a compensation for your assistance. the amount of the money is FIFTEEN POINT FIVE MILLION UNITED STATES DOLLARS To consider our official positions, reputation and integrity, especially,the opportunities in the business itself, it is very necessary that all due care be taken so that we do not miss the opportunity due to carelessness. You are therefore expected and advised to display high degree of maturity,responsibility and understanding in handling this information. I will give you all the details in my next mail when you have indicated your interest and commitment to work with me. Always remember that this is the highest confidence and trust any person can repose on the other, especially when it is considered that we did not know ourselves before.I hope you will honor me too. We can come over to join you for sharing and to guarantee that we have unlimited access to you before and when the funds hit your account. Moreso for an effective and easy communiation I will advice that you furnish me with your telephone, cell and I eagerly await your positive response. Please kindly send your response to my alternative e-mail address:(smithcole24@teenmail.co.za) Best regards, Dr Smith Cole.

Oh for goodness sake grow up server. Does it matter why? Of course Blair is doing it for self-motivated political reasons. So what? One minute you say we shouldn't bomb the shit out of rogue states the next you whinge because something good is happening for once. What should we do then? Keep the embargoes on? Force them to resent the west even more? Send in a Blair look-a-like who, tonight, will slit Gaddaffi's throat - leave a note to say "That will teach you"? I'm glad to know that there is one less state/nation out there training terrorists, blowing up planes, arming the IRA and so on. Whatever the motive.

So you didn't spot all the grammatical and spelling errors and other nonsense terms in this "professional" piece of conmanship? Or wonder why someone of his alleged standing in Switzerland should use something called "teenmail" in Africa?

Can't see how you misunderstood this, Stormy. "After recent events in Israel it's good to see something positive at last. Fingers crossed." Perhaps you should drink a little less :)

I haven't mis-understood it. I was picking up on your sarcy comments throughout, that's all. And as for the drinking comment, I think you should reflect upon your erstwhile abusive posts before bringing up (sic) heh heh such a subject. Careful now. :o)

"hey, we've found a huge piece of gold and will need your cell phone number, bank details and underwear to get it out of the country and hide it behind the Tv in your back room for a bit until Dave's brother can get round there with a hack saw and some carrier bags... it's worth 100 million of your uk dollarpounds and you'll get absolutely none of that as it doesn't exist of course. This is a serious email and in no way similar to all those crap Nigerian cons that have been going about for the last five years and definitely WASN'T just thought up by me and sent to everyone in the universe. I picked you and you alone because.... well i can't be bothered to think of a reason but there is one ok? so, errr... oh yeah, for EASE of communication, just send your entire life details to me completestranger@consRus.con. You know it makes sense."