Gaddafi, Berlusconi Sign $5 Billion Compensation
Silvio Berlusconi of Italy has signed an accord with Libya’s Gadaffi on Saturday under which ‘Italy will pay $5 billion in compensation for colonial misdeeds during its decades-long rule of the North African country.’
“This accord opens the door to the future cooperation and partnership between Italy and Libya,” Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said at the signing ceremony at a palace which was once the headquarters of the Rome government’s senior official during the 1911-1943 colonial rule.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the accord ends “40 years of misunderstanding”, adding that “it is a complete and moral acknowledgement of the damage inflicted on Libya by Italy during the colonial era”.
“In the name of the Italian people … I feel the duty to apologize and show our pain for what happened many years ago and which affected many of your families,” Berlusconi said, according to a text on the government’s website.
Back when the Italians ruled over Libya they forced many thousands of Libyans from their lands, if they were not killed that is. The Italians caused real suffering, this cannot be denied.
One wonders, however, whether it is wise for Italy to pay the $5 billion to Gaddafi. He is a dictator; if we can be reasonably sure of one thing it is that a large part of the money will not be used to improve the daily life of your average Libyan.
Furthermore, what the Italians did to Libyans happened many years, decades, ago. Most Italians living today have nothing to do with it. What is the use of them apologizing for something they did not personally do, one might ask?
Having said that, Italy has caused a lot of damage to Libya (and other countries). It seems logical that Italy apologizes for the suffering it caused and that it pays the victim-country money; after all, houses had to be rebuild, families reunited, new jobs created, etc.
Whether other European countries will follow suit remains to be seen, of course. Apologizing for colonial misdeeds is still debates in most European countries, mostly because most of those living today were not involved in the crimes committed against weaker peoples in any way whatsoever.
True, but 40 years seems awfully short compared to the distance for slavery or annexing land for instance. And Europe did mess up an entire continent really really good - for generations to come - without taking responsibility for it.I def agree on the 5 Bil. It probably won’t reach the folks families who were displaced.