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Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, calling for a "United States of Africa," said Thursday that African leaders support plans for a union with a central bank, court and a single currency. Gadhafi opened a two-day summit of leaders of the Organization of African Unity in this Mediterranean town by saying it marked a "historic juncture that will impact on the course of the entire world."
Gadhafi said there was "a consensus" on the creation of an African union. "Not a single nation has objected or expressed reservations on this," he said. It was not clear whether his proclamation meant the OAU summit had already had approved the declaration to create an African union. Two-thirds of the OAU's 53 nations - or 35 members - must formally ratify it before it can become a reality.
It is also unclear whether the union Gadhafi envisions would be anything more than symbolic. With Africa riven by rivalries, members were unlikely to give up any of their sovereignty. Beyond a Central Bank, Court of Justice and single currency, the proposal calls for an African parliament, though it would not have the power to make laws.
Gadhafi, wearing electric-blue African robes and escorted by his famous squad of female bodyguards in camouflage military fatigues, flashed a victory sign as he made his way to the conference hall. "Today's meeting crowns scores of stages along the path of liberation and unity," Gadhafi said. "That path was not paved with silk or roses. Africa walked it with pain and hope, swimming in a sea of sweat, tears and blood."
"Long live Africa under its great union of the United States of Africa," he said, concluding his 40-minute speech. "Nobody is saying that this summit will solve all of Africa's problems," former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, in Sirte as an observer, told reporters. "But it is a first step that must be followed by others."
Heads of state represented at least half of the 53 OAU member states at the summit. Guests of honor included former South African President Nelson Mandela and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Gadhafi's plan for African unity reflects his frustration with other Arab nations, which for years have scoffed for years at his attempts to unite them.
Arab leaders angered Gadhafi in 1998 when they declined to endorse an OAU resolution to reject U.N. sanctions imposed on Libya for refusing to hand over two suspects in the 1988 bombing of a passenger jet over Lockerbie, Scotland. The U.N. sanctions against Libya were suspended in 1999 after Gadhafi handed the two suspects over for trial. One was found guilty last month and sentenced to life; the other was acquitted.
Gadhafi earned notoriety in the 1970s and 1980s for allegedly
supporting terrorists and meddling in the internal affairs of his
neighbors. But looking for a place in Africa as a senior statesmen,
he has since taken a high-profile role as a regional mediator in
conflicts including the civil wars in neighboring Sudan and Congo.
The guy's a lunatic, but he's got style.
Sometime back in the 80's, Gadhafi declared that Syria and Lybia were the same country. Noone took this seriously.
Whatever he is smoking must be pretty powerful.
So many interesting ideas ...
Gadafi criticises clothes as 'work of Satan'
Maybe he's been channeling Elvis.
"Gadhafi, wearing electric-blue African robes and escorted by his famous squad of female bodyguards in camouflage military fatigues,..."
Sounds like the kind of man that former president Clinton could really relate to.
Don't be too quick to dismiss it... Gadhafi's pipe dream
also involves owning a place called Malta - and with that
small island, he owns the Med.
I have a bad feeling about this guy...
Uh, sure. The three reasonably successful countries on the African continent are gonna share their wealth with the warring backwaters.
Hopfully more successful than Nkwame Nkrumas' plans all those years ago...
Kz
...escorted by his famous squad of female bodyguards...
The guy's a lunatic, but he's got style.
If the girls play rough he may have something else and may need to put some ice on it.
What do you think they are going to do, use the US Constitution or the UN Declaration as a base?
This is not a new idea, and has been proposed by Gadhafi and other African leaders in the past. It originated with the Pan-Africanism movement early last century. The scary part for the real USA is that it is pushed for most vociferously by Muslim nations in Africa.
That means Gadhaffi gets to run the Suez Canal? It might happen...
A Libyan Sibyl bump.
Their national anthem, I presume.
Stimpy outdid himself.
.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
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