ROME – Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi met Saturday with representatives of approximately 20,000 Italians he expelled from Libya in 1970, and invited them back to visit or work in the country.
At the end of his first visit to Italy, Libya's former colonial ruler, Gadhafi met with about 100 of the Italians he had kicked out to punish Rome for its 1911-1941 occupation.
Although the exiles are still seeking compensation from Libya for confiscated property, most applauded when Gadhafi joined them and shook hands under one of the tents set up in a Rome park for the Libyan strongman.
"He greeted us like old friends, it was very different from his official meetings," said Letterio Alabiso, a 66-year-old businessman who was born in Tripoli and forced out with his wife and two children.
Participants told The Associated Press that Gadhafi claimed he "saved" the Italians by expelling them because others in the Libyan leadership wanted to imprison them in camps similar to those used by Italy's Fascist regime, which deported and killed thousands in the colony before World War II to put down a revolt.
"That would be impossible to verify, so it's quite shrewd," said Gianfranco Prado, a 58-year-old from Rome who grew up in Libya. "You have to admit the man has charisma."
Gadhafi also said the former Italian residents would be welcome if they visited Libya or if they chose to work or create a company there.
As with most of Gadhafi's visit, the meeting with the exiles sparked controversy because it virtually sidelined 6,000 Jews who found refuge in Italy after they were violently expelled Libya in the wake of Israel's victory in the 1967 Mideast war.
Although they were invited, Jewish Community leaders denounced the event, noting that it was being held on the holy Sabbath, making it impossible for observant Jews to participate.
Gadhafi flew back to Tripoli later Saturday after meeting with Paolo Scaroni, the chief executive of energy giant Eni, which has invested heavily in the oil-and-gas rich country.
The two discussed joint projects on the export of gas to Europe and on its use to produce electricity for Libya's neighboring African countries, Scaroni was quoted by the ANSA news agency as saying.
The four-day visit has highlighted the strong political and economic ties between the two countries, capped by Italy's $5 billion compensation agreement signed last year to make amends for Rome's colonial rule.
But it was also marked by protests and embarrassment over Gadhafi's controversial remarks on everything from terrorism to women's rights.
Human rights groups, students and intellectuals protested a recent deal that allows Italy to send immigrants immediately back to Libya if they are intercepted at sea. They also criticized Tripoli's treatment of the migrants and its poor human rights record.
Gadhafi dismayed some Italian lawmakers by calling for dialogue with terrorists and comparing the 1986 U.S. air strikes on Libya to Osama Bin Laden's terror attacks.
On Friday he drew jeers when, addressing hundreds of prominent Italian women, he criticized Islam's treatment of women but then suggested it should be up to male relatives to decide if a woman can drive a car.
Gadhafi, Berlusconi sign accord worth billions
Italy compensates Libya for colonial era in order to win lucrative contracts
Reuters
Published: Sunday, August 31, 2008
BENGHAZI, Libya -- Libya and Italy signed an accord yesterday under which Italy will pay $5 billion in compensation for colonial misdeeds during its decades-long rule of the North African country.
"This accord opens the door to the future co-operation and partnership between Italy and Libya," Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi said at the signing ceremony at a palace that was once the headquarters of the Rome government during the 1911-1943 colonial rule.
Italy has had difficult relations with Gadhafi since he took power in 1969 but has backed Tripoli's recent drive to mend fences with the West. The "friendship pact" removes a major hurdle to an improvement in ties.
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Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi shared warm greetings at the signing of their "friendship pact" in Benghazi, Libya, yesterday.
Reuters
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Font:****Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the accord ends "40 years of misunderstanding." "In the name of the Italian people ... I feel the duty to apologize and show our pain for what happened many years ago and which affected many of your families." Libya says Italian troops killed thousands of Libyans and drove thousands more from their villages and cities.
Present-day Italy is a friendly country, added Gadhafi, who expelled Italian residents and confiscated their property in 1970.
Gadhafi gave no details of the amount of money involved in the deal, but Berlusconi said on arrival that $200 million per year will be invested by Italy in Libya over 25 years.
"Italian companies will set up more business in Libya," Berlusconi said.
Italy expects in return to win energy contracts and for Tripoli to toughen security measures to stem the flow of illegal migrants.
© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008
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