He said the move was responsible for Mr. Bush's election victory and said he now wanted the United States and other Western nations to provide Libya with nuclear technology for nonmilitary purposes. He said Iran and North Korea might follow his lead if they saw that Libya was compensated for its actions.
"It was Mr. Bush who promised to reward Libya if we got rid of this program," Colonel Qaddafi said, according to an English-language transcript. "We know that with this withdrawal, we contributed by 50 percent to his electoral campaign."
He said Libya was now a partner in the American-led campaign against terrorism, adding that one of his country's greatest contributions in the fight was to "present itself as a model of moderate Islam."
[...]
Colonel Qaddafi elaborated on his solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, calling for the creation of a single state called "Isratine."
[...]
Colonel Qaddafi also held to the conceit that he did not play an official role in governing the country.
"The power is now in the hands of the Libyan people," he said. "Every Libyan, man or woman, exercises the power, every Libyan over 18 of age, man or woman - they all participate in the popular congress and in the people's committees. I do not exercise any power."
I have no doubt that Bush-Blair-Co promised him something tangible in return for his timely agreement to play the part of the shocked and awed country that would be an example to the rest of the Arab world.
Qaddafi is absolutely one of the best world leaders for entertainment value, and he is the most nattily clad, bar none.
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