U.S. Lifts Some Sanctions on Libya

[TacticalPeek]

U.S. Lifts Some Sanctions on Libya
Thu Feb 26, 2004 02:21 PM ET

By Caren Bohan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States took major steps
toward normalizing ties with Libya on Thursday to reward Tripoli for
its efforts to get rid of banned weapons, including allowing U.S. firms
to negotiate deals in the country.

The Bush administration also said it would let Libya set up a diplomatic
presence in Washington and lift a travel ban, reflecting the U.S.
determination to keep pace with Libya's moves on illicit arms.

Libya is eager to bring back U.S. companies, especially in the oil
industry, its main source of foreign earnings.


more
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4447998

[sistersofmercy]

1. Oh, how very quiet the misadministration is being on this one

I've been following the Libya deal since last summer. The UN vote almost vetoed by France because of the earlier monetary settlement reached with French families in regard to Lockerbie in relation to the US agreeement, as well as, the proclaimation that the US sanctions would never be lifted against Libya. The misadministration apparently had a meeting with the families of the deceased and all agreed the sanctions should stay. But the oil industry has been lobbying hard (and quite succesfully, I might add) to lift certain sanctions that would allow for the contracts for exploration of reserves. I believe in the end Libya will be the number 1 or 2 producer of oil in the world. The US families should get their additional 4 million dollars acccording to the agreement if the sanctions are lifted.

[pinniped]

2. There is a reason for everything.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/02/26/national0914EST0552.DTL

"Allowing U.S. travel to Libya would give American corporations an opportunity to do lucrative business legally in Libya's rich oil fields. It also would help Gadhafi emerge from semi-isolation."

-------------------

You mean there were American corps. doing business illegally in Libya?

I see there are two ways to extract oil from unfriendly nations.

Either let us in willingly to pillage your oil or we will come in forcefully and take it.

[wuushew]

3. Am I the only one who wants sanctions lifted?

I see no point impoverishing a country that apparently is voluntarily giving up its WMD program nor is actively supporting current terrorists.

[BigBigBear]

4. Tripoli

is supposed to be a nice city - clean, quiet, modern.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

5. Of course.

They've got oil there.