Reap What you Sow

In 2004 the then British Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Colonel Gaddafi in Libya. Blair's visit was a culmination of a series of high profile visits by UK politicians, business leaders, and even university Vice Chancellors all willing to tap into business relationships with Libya. These co-ordinated visits all followed Libya's renunciation of weapons of mass destruction in December 2003. Blair even went so far as to welcome Gaddafi in the fight against terrorism (ask the people of Lockerbie what they think about that) and spoke of a "new relationship". People should not forget the past, they should move beyond it, Mr Blair said.

As Mr Blair met Mr Gaddafi, it was announced Anglo-Dutch oil giant Shell had signed a deal worth up to £550m for gas exploration rights off the Libyan coast. And of course, despite denials to the contrary suspicions remain that UK economic interests were behind the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 57; the Libyan convicted for his role in the Lockerbie bomb. 

In the context of current events in Libya, one has to wonder about the wisdom of these visits and how they may have helped keep this vicious dictator in power. Money, power and politics; a dirty combination.

Song: Perfect Day by Lou Reed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYEC4TZsy-Y

Slightly ironic I know, but the chorus of 'You're going to reap just what you sow' seems apt in this context. And Perfect Day, well it will be when the mad Colonel is gone.