September 01, 2008
BENGHAZI, Libya: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi yesterday apologised to Libya for damage inflicted by Italy during the colonial era and signed a $US5 billion ($5.8 billion) investment deal as compensation.
Mr Berlusconi made the apology during a visit to the Mediterranean city of Benghazi for a meeting with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to seal a co-operation accord with the oil-rich north African nation.
"It is my duty, as a head of government, to express to you in the name of the Italian people our regret and apologies for the deep wounds that we have caused you," said Mr Berlusconi, whose comments were translated into Arabic.
He and Colonel Gaddafi then signed a "friendship and co-operation agreement" aimed at recompensing Libya for damage incurred during the colonial era.
"The accord will provide for $US200 million a year over the next 25 years through investments in infrastructure projects in Libya," Mr Berlusconi said.
"This agreement should put an end to 40 years of discord. It is a concrete and moral acknowledgement of the damage inflicted on Libya by Italy during the colonial era."
The signing ceremony took place in the garden of a palace occupied by the Italian governor in colonial times.
Mr Berlusconi then bowed before the son of the hero of Libyan resistance against the Italian occupiers, Omar Mokhtar, in a symbolic gesture.
"This is a historic moment when two brave men acknowledge the defeat of colonialism," Colonel Gaddafi said, raising his arms in a sign of victory.
"The Libyan people endured injustice and were attacked in their homes and they deserve an apology and compensation."
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Libya was occupied by Italy in 1911 before becoming a colony in the 1930s.
The country gained its independence in 1951 after a brief period under a UN-mandated Franco-British administration.
Italy and Libya have spent years negotiating a wide-ranging treaty to cover compensation for Rome's military occupation and colonisation.
An association representing Italians expelled from Libya in 1970 denounced Rome for compensating Libya and not repatriated Italians.
Mr Berlusconi should have "a sudden burst of dignity, humanity and respect so as to finally give satisfaction ... to the 20,000 Italian citizens who are still waiting for fair compensation from their government," it said.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to arrive in Libya next week for the first visit by such a high-ranking US official since 1953.
Mr Berlusconi said a coastal motorway from the Tunisian border to Egypt would be among the major projects to be financed by Italy. Rome would also fund housing construction, scholarships for Libyan students to study in Italy and pensions for those mutilated by landmines laid by the Italian military.
BENGHAZI, Libya: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi yesterday apologised to Libya for damage inflicted by Italy during the colonial era and signed a $US5 billion ($5.8 billion) investment deal as compensation.
Mr Berlusconi made the apology during a visit to the Mediterranean city of Benghazi for a meeting with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to seal a co-operation accord with the oil-rich north African nation.
"It is my duty, as a head of government, to express to you in the name of the Italian people our regret and apologies for the deep wounds that we have caused you," said Mr Berlusconi, whose comments were translated into Arabic.
He and Colonel Gaddafi then signed a "friendship and co-operation agreement" aimed at recompensing Libya for damage incurred during the colonial era.
"The accord will provide for $US200 million a year over the next 25 years through investments in infrastructure projects in Libya," Mr Berlusconi said.
"This agreement should put an end to 40 years of discord. It is a concrete and moral acknowledgement of the damage inflicted on Libya by Italy during the colonial era."
The signing ceremony took place in the garden of a palace occupied by the Italian governor in colonial times.
Mr Berlusconi then bowed before the son of the hero of Libyan resistance against the Italian occupiers, Omar Mokhtar, in a symbolic gesture.
"This is a historic moment when two brave men acknowledge the defeat of colonialism," Colonel Gaddafi said, raising his arms in a sign of victory.
"The Libyan people endured injustice and were attacked in their homes and they deserve an apology and compensation."
Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Libya was occupied by Italy in 1911 before becoming a colony in the 1930s.
The country gained its independence in 1951 after a brief period under a UN-mandated Franco-British administration.
Italy and Libya have spent years negotiating a wide-ranging treaty to cover compensation for Rome's military occupation and colonisation.
An association representing Italians expelled from Libya in 1970 denounced Rome for compensating Libya and not repatriated Italians.
Mr Berlusconi should have "a sudden burst of dignity, humanity and respect so as to finally give satisfaction ... to the 20,000 Italian citizens who are still waiting for fair compensation from their government," it said.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is set to arrive in Libya next week for the first visit by such a high-ranking US official since 1953.
Mr Berlusconi said a coastal motorway from the Tunisian border to Egypt would be among the major projects to be financed by Italy. Rome would also fund housing construction, scholarships for Libyan students to study in Italy and pensions for those mutilated by landmines laid by the Italian military.
Source: The Australian
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