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Posted on 07/11/2002 5:42:46 PM PDT by blam
Gaddafi's African roadshow sets off with 400 guards, three jets and a ship
By John Battersby and Beauregarde Tromp in Durban
11 July 2002
The Muammar Gaddafi roadshow has left Durban on a tortuous drive home after the Libyan leader and his heavily-armed entourage upstaged an African summit called to map out a new path for the continent.
The Libyan President's security detail, several dozen strong, have taken with them a special jamming device installed in one of his vehicles. So people on his route are likely to suffer sudden interruptions of their cellphone conversations as the convoy passes by.
Bemused Swaziland residents living on the South African border said yesterday they thought South Africa was invading, after being confronted by the Libyan leader's massive security apparatus.
In Durban, there were some near-catastrophic encounters between South African security officers and the Libyan guards. More than once, proceedings at the summit had to be halted while the Brother Leader railed against the West, Africa's new development plan and other obsessions of the moment. One security officer said: "He works totally above the law. They came here with the attitude that Gaddafi is the Golden Leader and that they, as Libyans, are above all of us."
On Saturday, there was a stand-off between South African and Libyan security forces. "It was almost a war," the South African officer said. "There were 40 of us against almost 400 of them. We were totally outnumbered and outgunned."
South African security officials had already grounded 60 armoured vehicles accompanying Colonel Gaddafi. Their ostensible purpose was to provide a safe return by road for the Libyan leader through Africa. But South African government officials feared he would use the vehicles to visit black townships in an attempt to steal the limelight from the summit host and chairman of the new African Union, President Thabo Mbeki.
On Wednesday, one of Colonel Gaddafi's planes was grounded in Mozambique after rocket-propelled grenade launchers were discovered on board. The President arrived with two Boeing 707s and two more planes, including an Antonov, among the largest freight planes in the world. An initial search of some cargo turned up 27 sub-machineguns.
Along with weaponry and a fleet of vehicles, Colonel Gaddafi also brought a container ship filled with goat carcasses and two 46-seater buses. "Each vehicle was packed to capacity and we even found $6m (£3.8m) in hard cash in one car," the security officer said. "They point-blank refused for some of their baggage to be searched."
With tension mounting, the South African contingent called for back-up, and within minutes, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aziz Pahad, arrived in an effort to restore calm. Shortly afterwards, he sent a fax instructing security personnel to release everything to the Libyans. Although the Libyans were issued with permits for 21 AK-47 assault rifles, when the weapons were checked in at a Durban hotel, they had multiplied to 48.
Protocol allows for four firearms to be carried by a president's personal detail, although special permits are sometimes issued. Once a foreign leader is in South Africa, his security is regarded as the responsibility of the South African President.
There was another near-calamity when heads of state convened for a meeting and there was a scuffle between security forces and the Libyan bodyguards. The security officer said: "He [Colonel Gaddafi] jeopardised security here and now he's going to jeopardise the security of all the civilians all the way to Mozambique."
Although Colonel Gaddafi's travel arrangements are supposed to be a closely guarded secret, insiders say his convoy will pass through Swaziland, Mozambique and Kenya on a self-promotional tour that will continue all the way to Libya. There are indications that Colonel Gaddafi will fly to each country along the route, leaving a brother to anchor the roadshow.
A source close to Colonel Gaddafi's delegation said one of the 10 armoured cars in his entourage was fitted with a jamming device which disrupts all electronic and radio signals in the vicinity of the security-conscious Libyan leader.
The device, which is clearly visible on the roof of one of the vehicles, is reputedly designed to ensure that any electrical remote-control to detonate a bomb in the vicinity of Colonel Gaddafi's car would be neutralised until the leader was well out of range.
Libyan officials declined to comment on the jamming device. A South African police spokesperson refused to discuss "security issues" or whether South Africa had given permission for the device to be used.
Libyan leader's excess baggage
400 security officers and bodyguards 60 armoured vehicles One container ship full of goat carcasses Two Boeing 707s One giant Antonov plane, plus another aircraft 27 sub-machineguns 48 AK-47s Two 46-seater buses Rocket-propelled grenade launchers Electronic jamming device $6m in cash
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You could start by looking under the FReeper roster of Louisiana.
and a partridge in a pear tree.
I picture in my mind that convoy moving along a highway, then I flash back to the Gulf war and the exodus out of Kuwait City, you know, the highway of death, and I smile and think what could have been.
I thought the same thing. Gaddafi was probably riding in the Yugo at the end of the caravan. lol
Dear Moderator,
I find this profoundly offensive, as would my martyred husband Abdullard.
Respectfully,
Fatima the Goat
I agree.
It's just what you'd expect - it's always the entourage, the roadies that are causing trouble on the "Ghaddafi World Tour '02".
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