Did the cozy relationship with Gaddafi encourage CIA and MI6 analysts to discourage support for the opposition revolution? Now that the evidence is in the open, the question is not was there close cooperation in kidnappings and rendition and other legally questionable activities including torture. “Participation” in Interrogations Human Rights Watch and other independent NGOs have started to review tons of documents found in Tripoli as Gaddafi loyalists fled, even as there was an effort to destroy the stash. Fred Abrahams of Human Rights Watch has publicly relayed that the CIA and MI6. (PHOTOs of CIA Lobby & MI6 HQ in London), delivered the “terror suspects” to Libya and then “participated” in the interrogation. It also appears that some such “terror suspects” were part of a shopping list delivered by Gaddafi – perhaps because persons on such list posed more of a threat to Gaddafi rather than to the US and UK. Abdul-Hakim Belhaj, now the “rebel” or National Transitional Government military leader for newly “liberated” Tripoli was one of those rendered by US operatives (presumably by the CIA) from Asia to the notorious Abu-Salim prison in Tripoli. He was held for 6 years. It appears in the end, he had no ties to Al-Qaeda, although he was an opponent of Gaddafi and an “Islamist.” Ignoring Record of Torture & Murders But Also Pan Am/Lockerbie Bombing: The greatest period of cooperation apparently occurred in 2003-2004, when the US anti-terrorism efforts had already been reorganized under the Homeland Security Department. Then Department Head, Secretary Michael Chertoff, did not deny to the BBC knowledge of the renditions and interrogations. Gaddafi had been known to the US as a human rights abuser including murderer of US citizens in terror acts, including Pan Am flight that was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland. Abu Salim Prison had been the sight of an uprising and massacre that killed over 2,000 prisoners. Abu Salim Prison was the sight of constant torture, murders and grave violations of international and national humanitarian law. Secretary Chertoff attributed the US cooperation to “necessity,” a rationalization heard under then George W. Bush’s Administration and even the current Washington authorities. “Clouding” Judgment or Making Unreliable Intelligence Assets as CIA & MI6: The timelier question is did previous secret close work with Gaddafi and his security apparatus cloud the judgment of US/UK and other “western officials/analysts.” Did some deliberately try to deter support for the rebels and implicitly buttress Gaddafi, at least for fear of being exposed, as now has become the case? From the outset, the Arab revolutions have been met with charges that Islamic radicals control the opposition. How much of this is a credible charge and how much was motivated by old loyalties even to dictators and torturers who once were your working partners? How much has been motivated by self-serving interests of fear of exposure and even potential prosecution? Operating on Self-Serving Stereotypes: For decades the charge has been that Arabs as a people do not care about democracy and freedom. That evolved into the theory that Arab populations must be controlled by “strong men” – despots.’ Benign despots may have been preferred but when it suited Washington or London, it appears we more than encouraged but delivered victims for torture – so much for benign or benevolent. Coming back to the most urgent question though: has the intelligence perspective, the most valued intelligence assets of the US, UK and other western democracies become compromised and biased, especially at a critical, perhaps tectonic shift in the region? Not just Mubarak’s regime in Egypt and Gaddafi’s in Libya, but also Assad’s in Syria and Saleh’s in Yemen among others have had a long history of close work in renditions and interrogations. It is an alarming consideration that perhaps some of those most involved with our security in Washington or London or other democratic capitals may be fearing, jeering and impeding the evolution and revolution while ostensibly our political leaders cheer and seek to support the course toward free and open societies. Related ARTICLE – “Beyond Gaddafi, Winners & Losers” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/beyond-libya-gaddafi-winners-losers-by-ambassador-mo/34643 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey







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