subject: Sympathy For Gaddafi [print this page] Sympathy For Gaddafi Sympathy For Gaddafi
As most are well aware of by now and do not need me to inform them or even go over the events which were sparked off by a man's suicide in Tunisia last month. It being this man who through the act of setting himself ablaze in order to protest against high food prices, started a wave of demonstrations which in a short period of time have spread all through out the middle east. This individual's single act leading to events which went far beyond the actions of one man or any particular cause he might have had and in to something of much larger and significant proportions. The importance of which will probably be hailed as historical much like the great war (A.K.A. World War I) which in a strange similarity was also sparked by a single event. The killing of arch duke Ferdinand which also served to ignite a series of events which led to something which also had little if anything to do with the death of one individual.
It is strange perhaps to consider it as such but one man's death through his own hands has started protests and demonstrations through out the middle east which have basically brought to light all the hardships and violations of human rights which had been almost hidden under the surface for so long. It being a case of what perhaps was only intended as a show of one man's frustration eventually spreading to Egypt and basically all over the middle east. Libya, naturally having a dictator whose rule stretched over the 2 score mark would not be immune from such concepts of government by the people. It being people who in their will to take more control of the decisions which governed their lives went out on the streets with wishes that their leader; Gaddafi simply step down.
It was at this moment in time, as thousands poured on to the streets in protest that Gaddafi was faced with a monumental decision which would have a much larger significance than even his dictatorship but the fate of his nation along with the rest of the middle. This not even mentioning weather or not such movements for democracy eventually go on to inspire such places as Myanmar or China or Cuba or North Korea yet that is perhaps getting ahead of ourselves. As that if it is to be, will be in a future not as immediate as the one which is already taking shape in the middle east. Gaddafi however at that moment was left with the options which ranged from the total brutality needed to suppress such a movement yet this would have undoubtedly drawn international condemnation. Of course, there also being the possibility though perhaps not overly probable that such condemnation might go beyond the usual rhetoric and economic sanctions to military intervention against himself as well his regime.
Gaddafi however did and still has other options which include opening up his dictatorship which would even be hard to label as a government since there is no constitution in Libya of any kind or even system of administration; other then basically Gaddafi's will which at times has been capricious to say the least. This including the steps of reaching out to the opposition yet this perhaps would require something on his part which he has not shown any if any real willingness to do with regards to those he rules and this being; to compromise and share his power. Naturally, it is also understood that doing so might also require him to give up his power all together in favor of a government which most likely would not include him in any way. Of course, perhaps Gaddafi might have even held free and fair elections in his country which he might have even won given that in all truth there is nobody amongst his political opponents who in all sincerity would get enough votes to be elected president or at least not if such if an election were held anytime soon. It being a case of Libyan opposition to Gaddafi not only not having a leader but not even having much in the way of organization apart from the sentiment which unites them in wanting to do away with Gaddafi.
Gaddafi unfortunately not only for himself but of infinitely greater significance, chose the first option of attempting to hold on to power by violence though has yet to use all of his military strength against demonstrators. This perhaps due to fear of foreign intervention from either the European Union or the United States. This in a way being tragic not only for the people of Libya but even for Gaddafi himself, who had a chance and perhaps still does of being the one who leads the change in his country. Gaddafi, in fact doing something for his people that their will be carried out in him. It being a case where Gaddafi realizes with vision of grandness that time has surpassed his dictatorship. As time has come for him to pass on the powers back to the people from where in all truth all power to rule any nation should really come from. This being to a certain extent what Pinochet did in Chile, who in 1987 held a referendum on his dictatorship which he did lose that eventually led to democratic elections being held in 1989. Pinochet's decision, much to his credit even coming without much in the way of international or internal opposition which might have forced him to do so yet to a certain extent such moves take strength of personality which Gaddafi perhaps does not have to the point where he might be able to perform such a political maneuver.
This being where, I feel certain amount of sympathy for him which should not be misinterpreted that I am claiming that he should stay in power or even be allowed to do so. As it is the duty of a leader to serve his people and never the other way around and it is never or at least in my opinion the citizens of a nation who owe it to their leader to keep them in power. My point being that leaders who no longer serve a purpose to their nation which only their people can and should decide weather they do or not; have it within their moral obligation to step down for the better good. This perhaps being the greatest tragedy of all! That Gaddafi might have served as an example to other dictators as to how with dignity they might guide a transition on to a rule of the people without needless blood shed and that they too might be remembered in history as those who were able to put aside their ego. All so that their nation might know new prosperity rather than being remembered as petty dictators who are simply regarded as murders.
Of course, to some extent other world leaders might have pointed out these options to Gaddafi instead of making threats which Gaddafi knows all too well will not materialize anytime soon and even if they did with the way things are going; might not make any difference to the situation in Libya. As in fact, Gaddafi may be gone from power before any actions short of military ones have any influence on events in Libya. Some world leaders might have suggested that Gaddafi hold elections in his own country which he might have won though this perhaps more due to a lack of serious opponents rather than any adoration the majority of his people might still have or ever have had for him. Of course, there is always the possibility that Gaddafi might have lost such an election yet in that case, he would have at least ensured his place in history; as a man who was able to put aside his ego for his people's well being .
This being something which Gaddafi did in the past when with apparent honesty, he renounced terrorism and nuclear ambitions (which countries like Iran and North Korea are apparently still unwilling to do) along with other gestures which were more than welcome on the part of the international community. Gaddafi apparently having seen that so much was there to loose from the attitude he taken in the 80s and so much was there to be gained; not only for himself but his nation if he just followed certain rules. As for those like US President Bush, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and several others; it was to their credit that they at the time welcomed Gaddafi back in to the international community. As Gaddafi did show a legitimate desire to work with other countries rather than against them yet as does occur in human history and has done so all through out history; things have changed. People in the middle east no longer wish to be ruled by any one individual, who does so through nothing but his own will and can not be held accountable for his decisions by anybody other then himself. This being a case where people in the middle east seek political changes even in countries like Libya. This in spite of economic conditions and the standard of living being relatively high for the average Libyan though not necessarily for the many migrant workers; who are basically limited to the jobs most Libyans do not want.
For what concerns my opinion, I would suggest to world leaders that instead of instructing Gaddafi to give up his powers in the way of rhetorical speech or orders or threats. They offer to mediate this dispute which in all likelihood will lead to a transaction in which rule of the people should prevail along with Gaddafi being made to see the same logic which not so long ago made him change his ways or at least some of them. As for Gaddafi, himself it in all honesty can not be said that he has done nothing of value for his country. As this would not be a truthful statement yet it is to him that I would ask a question that goes beyond just weather or not he rules a year or two longer but how he wishes to be remembered in history? It being in his hands to have the strength of character to see where changes are needed that can either be imposed on him and finish him or if he chooses to. He can be a part of his country's new found progress and even guide with the credit that it was he who delivered on to his people that which saved them from a needless civil war.
