with Libya

Pim Opinion

The cost of links with Libya

The spectacle of Fr Walter Lini expressing solidarity with Col Ghaddafi has sent a shockwave through the region.

Fr Lini and his fellow party members, meanwhile, spread their hands in a gesture of puzzlement and ask why everybody is suddenly so interested in the Libya connection.

At the same time Mr Uregei points out that the perpetrators of local terrorism are certainly not Libyan.

Fr Lini confides to the Colonel that he regrets the fact that small children were killed by the bombs of a superpower.

He then announces formal diplomatic relations with Libya, adding that it’s nobody’s business but Vanuatu’s.

The Vanuatu prime minister, his aides pointed out, was the first in the region to express his feelings regarding the US raid on Libya and the events that followed.

All well and good, so far. That is until we recall that Fr Lini was less than vocal when terrorists, wherever they may have struck, gunned down or bombed innocent children. Mr Uregei’s voice, too, was somewhat muted on these occasions.

There seems to be a perception here that there are “good” terrorists and “bad” terrorists. It’s a pretty poor perception. From wherever you stand on the political

spectrum, it is not possible for any respectable govern ment to condone the slaughter of innocents.

Nevertheless, that is the attitude both Fr Uni and Mr Uregei have adopted by default in their one-sided approach to Col Ghaddafi’s Libya.

They are dealing, let’s remember, with a man who routinely orders the executions of political opponents, a man who has at the very least sheltered terrorists and encouraged if not directly supported them.

The notion that it is necessary to accept money and/or support from any source available is a dangerous one for two reasons.

Firstly because nobody gives aid for nothing. There is the risk that island groups will not be able to keep Libya at arm’s length while taking its money and or its assistance and support.

Secondly because countries or movements siding with Libya could find themselves isolated within the South Pacific region whereas Libya will never be more than a distant friend.

Both Fr Uni and Mr Uregei are politically experienced enough to know of the risks, yet both seem prepared to accept them. That’s their right.

But their neighbors have a right to be worried.