Libya – Whiny, Whiny?

By CECILIA EKLUND
Published: December 15, 2009

In the week past the Great Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya released their public statement, much in the same vein as the circulating press releases made by them amongst the delegations in lieu of the upcoming negotiations.  Professions were made regarding the disempowering use of English as the language of communication in reaching a resolution and therefore Libya is releasing all necessary information in Arabic as using English would hint at the “Western countries dominating the agenda.”  Perhaps it might be argued that Libya is approaching a resolution not so much seeing green as an environmental indicative but as envy, or seeing red as an indication for political mistrust and agenda-pushing rather than world cooperation for climate change deceleration.

Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi professes that “Libya will not support any legally binding agreements which apply to LDC’s. We will oppose any resolution which places equal responsibility for climate security upon every nation. We will oppose any resolution which places caps on the economic and industrial activities of Africa, or which limits our development. It is our sovereign right to utilise our own nation’s resources. We will therefore continue to develop our oil and gas production without external interference or pressure. Hence, we will refuse any resolutions which propose that we make cuts in our emissions.”  With this statement Libya leaves much to be desired in terms of its proposed contributions, or complete lack thereof towards this global crisis.  Furthermore, despite many attempts, probing and proddings, Libya has remained mum about a potential interview with The New York Times.

Read back 16/12/09 for an update on their proceedings during negotiations.