Posted on 07/10/2009 10:21:46 AM PDT by Red Steel
It was more handshake diplomacy by President Obama as he became the first US president to exchange a face-to-face greeting with Libyan leader Moammar Qadhafi.
As Chairman of the African Union, Qadhafi was invited to attend the G8 Summit Leaders dinner tonight in L’Aquila, Italy.
As the chiefs of state and heads of government gathered for a class photo, Qadhafi approached President Obama and they shook hands. It was a polite encounter, conducted according to protocol. Qadhafi smiled, Mr. Obama not so much.
Back in the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan would sooner have cut off his arm than shake hands with Qadhafi.
"We do not underestimate the brutality of this evil man," said Mr. Reagan of the Libyan leader in 1986, who was deemed by the U.S. to be world’s foremost state sponsor of terrorism.
President Reagan regarded Qadhafi as a "madman," a ruler of an "outlaw regime," and "an enemy of the United States."
Qadhafi took power in a 1969 coup, after which U.S. relations with the North African nation became increasingly strained to the point of military action.
In 1986, Mr. Reagan ordered air strikes on military targets in Libya after evidence linking it to a bombing incident in Berlin which claimed the lives of two American servicemen.
-snip-
And tonight in Italy, Qadhafi shook hands with the American president and sat just two seats away from him at dinner. In between them was the summit host, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
In the litany of controversial handshakes, tonight’s encounter with Qadhafi follows President Obama’s exchanges in April with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega. No fist-bumps on that list just yet.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
Any pics of him staring at Q-man’s tush? He dresses like Michelle.
Reagan sent him a greeting. ...air mail.
Ronaldus Magnus sent Daffy an unforgettable greeting.
I still fail to see the problem here. Qaddafi was shaking in his boots after we invaded Iraq, gave up all his WMD ambitions, paid 3 billion in restitution to terrorism victims and was sympathetic to the US after 9/11. Bush lifted sanctions against them, restored diplomatic relations and removed libya from the state sponsors of terrorism list. Libya is perhaps the best example we have of how the combination of military and diplomatic pressure can bring about real change among our enemies.
Sad.
Entirely expected.
But still sad.
How did he start things off, with a bow or an apology?
too bad he wasn’t home at the time to sign for it....
President Reagan regarded Qadhafi as a “madman,” a ruler of an “outlaw regime,” and “an enemy of the United States.”
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The similarities are unquestionable.
Agreed, it really was one of the best outcomes of our efforts. I still think that he is nuts and wish Regan would have dropped just a couple more 1000 pounders on him, but he seems to have figured out what’s best for Libya is this course.
Still, that all happened with Bush and Cheney in office, lets see if he stays on track now that a spineless administration is in power.
But still , this year in Africa, he was voted “King of Kings” and he has a huge following of dicktaters and near dictaters.
Now, thats democracy at work!
I have to agree. And, if we then don't begin to normalize relations with Libya, what kind of message does that send to others we're trying to convince to join the civilized world? Give up your sponsorship of terrorism and your quest for WMD, and we'll still treat you like thugs? That's not wise.
It's called statecraft. While the pictures may be distasteful, they're part of the process. You make peace with your enemies, not your friends.
Hussein has stepped foot in more mosques than churches since becoming POTUS.
Nice summary, when you put things in CONTEXT, and we remember the events that lead up to this moment - you are 100% correct. At first, I disapproved of Pres. Zero’s recognition of Qaddafi; but you have shed some light on the subject - and I have to agree with you.
Now, I can’t say that I don’t trust Qaddafi; but I am sure that we still have our ‘eyes’ on him. If he’s behaving himself, then not only is it appropriate to shake his hand, but to show some sort of reward for working with the US to shut terrorism down. If we treat a reformed enemy as a friend, this may be an example to other ‘enemies’ that if they quit proking us, they too might benefit from the situation. I’d rather persuade them to work with us, than have to send our bravest and best to force them to not fight against us.
Where do you shop.........I’d like to get Michelle a new couch cover.............. I wonder how much fabric it would take to cover her giant rear...
So Quadaffis 1969 coup is ok but the “coup” in Honduras is not ok? Our foreign policy is in shambles.
I believe this President has set the blacks back 50 years, when looking at the Oval office. Even blacks are turning against him. Many democrats voted for him as a novelty, which was a mistake. I really question whether our people will vote for another black President for a long time. They may look at it like taking another chance and won’t be willing to take that chance. He has done the blacks a big dis-service.
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