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Tuesday, December 23, 2003
The new Libya
In a process detectives know well, one suspect's change of heart can strike fear in other bad actors. That's just one reason to welcome Libya's confession about unconventional arms programs.
It's good news, in itself, that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has promised to abandon efforts to develop nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. The world is safer.
It's also possible that the move will prove to be a decisive step in Libya's long road back from the international terrorism it practiced in the 1980s, culminating in the Lockerbie, Scotland, airline bombing that killed 270 people. But the potential for a fundamentalist backlash in Libya and elsewhere cannot be discounted.
It's unclear whether the invasion of Iraq played a role with Libya. Diplomacy may have been the key. Even so, credit goes to firm policies from U.S. presidents, particularly Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the interception of illicit materials by a U.S.-led international security program may have induced Libya to cooperate. Libyan officials reportedly were shocked by how much intelligence had been gathered about their efforts.
U.S. and British representatives have received excellent access to Libyan weapons sites. Over the weekend, Libya promised open inspections for the United Nations' International Atomic Energy Agency.
Pakistan, Iran and other nations must be wondering what more information Libya is providing. Good.
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