A new leaf

From Yonhap news-

TRIPOLI, Sept. 21 (Yonhap) -- The Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi said Thursday he will work again to mediate in the dispute between North Korea and other nations over the communist state's nuclear arms ambitions, South Korean officials said.

Gaddafi made the remark in a meeting here with visiting South Korean Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook, her officials said.

"The Libyan leader also said he has made efforts to mediate in the dispute over the North Korea nuclear issue, but without a tangible result," Han's chief spokesman Kim Seok-hwan told reporters.

Libya ended decades of international isolation and sanctions after it denounced terrorism and agreed to dismantle its nuclear program in 2003. The United States normalized ties with the North African country three years later. Many experts agree Libya serves as a model for the policies North Korea should adopt.

During the meeting with the South Korean premier, Gaddafi, however, complained that the support and compensation from the international community have been insufficient, although Libya's relinquishment of nuclear arms was intended to contribute to world peace.

Gadaffi requested South Korea and other East Asian countries' cooperation to establish oil pipelines running from Libya to Ethiopia and the Middle East, a project designed to cut the cost of transporting oil produced in Libya to the East Asian region.

Han pledged to have Seoul officials discuss the matter, her officials said.

Just another indication of a possible change of heart in Tripoli. All pretty incredible for those who remember the Gadaffi of the 70's and 80's. The war in Iraq is the most likely cause of this.

I wouldn't dismiss Gadaffi's offer out of hand. TFM also thinks there is little reason to believe the Libyan ruler could make North Korea negotiate in good faith for a change in place of their current posturing.

Hat tip- GI in Korea
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