Libya's reformation continues apace
I think I figured out what's going on with Gadafy.
I think Gadafy is angling to be the West's reliable friend in Africa as the continent is absorbed into the world economy.
Blair to offer Libya military training
Tom Happold, Matthew Tempest and agencies
Wednesday March 24, 2004
Tony Blair is to offer British military training for Libyan troops when he meets Muammar Gadafy tomorrow.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said that the proposals were to show that Libya could defend itself without weapons of mass destruction.
Late last year Col Gadafy agreed to abandon his programmes to develop chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and allow in international inspectors.
'Bringing Libya into the international mainstream'
A senior British official travelling with Mr Blair said the visit would seek to "continue the process of bringing Libya into the international mainstream and to make clear that we will be trying to get Libya's relationship with the EU developed in the months ahead".
Asked whether it was premature, he said: "Part of our agreement with Libya was that we and the US would act quickly to bring them back and show them the rewards of cooperation with the international institutions."
Commenting on the economic aspect of the trip, he said: "A number of British companies are interested in trade with Libya and it's possible that Shell will be able to sign a heads of agreement with Libya in the days ahead." "Shell are negotiating a heads of agreement for gas exploration off the Libyan coast," he added, and British Aerospace are in "advanced negotiations" with Libya.
