Perun
09-01-2004, 03:22 AM
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040901/wl_nm/libya_jews_dc_1
Gaddafi to Compensate Libyan Jews for Lost Homes
By Salah Sarrar
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (news - web sites), easing his country's way back into the international fold, on Tuesday became the first Arab leader to promise compensation for Jews who were forced from their homes due to religious tension.
"Any Jew whose home had been taken away has to be compensated or given his home back on the condition that he had not taken away the home of a Palestinian in Palestine," Gaddafi said.
Thousands of Jews were forced to leave their homes in several Arab countries, including Libya, following successive Israeli-Arab wars since 1948. But Arab leaders dismissed or ignored Jewish claims for compensations for lost assets.
No precise figures about the number of Jews forced to leave Libya are available nor estimates of the amount of compensation they might receive.
Gaddafi's gesture appeared to be part of his efforts to consolidate diplomatic gains made since last December when he announced Libya was abandoning its nuclear weapons programs.
Libya, which suffered years of isolation and sanctions, is now cited by Washington as an example for other states accused of having similar arms programs to follow.
Gaddafi, speaking at a rally in his home town of Sirte to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the bloodless coup d'etat that brought him to power, urged the United States to trust him and his drive to reconcile with the West.
He also asked Libyans to cement the new image of Libya as a peace-loving country seeking cooperation with the world.
The United States eased some economic sanctions and renewed its diplomatic ties with Tripoli, but it has yet to fully normalize relations.
"There is mutual mistrust between us because of historic reasons and we should overcome this," Gaddafi said. "We ask them to confirm to us their good will and that they will not betray us one day and we ask them to trust us."
Gaddafi urged Libyans to show love and respect for foreigners wanting to invest and do business in Libya.
"They are extending to us their hands for cooperation, we must show them our clean hands and give social, economic and financial guarantees for their investments and businesses," he said.
Gaddafi to Compensate Libyan Jews for Lost Homes
By Salah Sarrar
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi (news - web sites), easing his country's way back into the international fold, on Tuesday became the first Arab leader to promise compensation for Jews who were forced from their homes due to religious tension.
"Any Jew whose home had been taken away has to be compensated or given his home back on the condition that he had not taken away the home of a Palestinian in Palestine," Gaddafi said.
Thousands of Jews were forced to leave their homes in several Arab countries, including Libya, following successive Israeli-Arab wars since 1948. But Arab leaders dismissed or ignored Jewish claims for compensations for lost assets.
No precise figures about the number of Jews forced to leave Libya are available nor estimates of the amount of compensation they might receive.
Gaddafi's gesture appeared to be part of his efforts to consolidate diplomatic gains made since last December when he announced Libya was abandoning its nuclear weapons programs.
Libya, which suffered years of isolation and sanctions, is now cited by Washington as an example for other states accused of having similar arms programs to follow.
Gaddafi, speaking at a rally in his home town of Sirte to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the bloodless coup d'etat that brought him to power, urged the United States to trust him and his drive to reconcile with the West.
He also asked Libyans to cement the new image of Libya as a peace-loving country seeking cooperation with the world.
The United States eased some economic sanctions and renewed its diplomatic ties with Tripoli, but it has yet to fully normalize relations.
"There is mutual mistrust between us because of historic reasons and we should overcome this," Gaddafi said. "We ask them to confirm to us their good will and that they will not betray us one day and we ask them to trust us."
Gaddafi urged Libyans to show love and respect for foreigners wanting to invest and do business in Libya.
"They are extending to us their hands for cooperation, we must show them our clean hands and give social, economic and financial guarantees for their investments and businesses," he said.