February 28, 2004

Sphere of Influence

Nope, the invasion of Iraq had no role in Libya's decision to end its WMD program. None at all.

Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi says he gave up his plans to develop weapons of mass destruction, because such weapons would have exposed Libya to danger, rather than protect it.

It was his first public reference at an international gathering to Libya's surprise decision last December to renounce its arms of mass destruction program. Colonel Gadhafi told leaders from other African countries that individual nations should not try to develop such weapons.

"Any national state that will adopt this policy cannot protect itself. On the contrary, it would expose itself to danger," he said.