Gadhafi offer first made on eve of Iraq war

[tlcandie]

http://www.washtimes.com/world/20031219-103053-2433r.htm

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Col. Gadhafi in June outlined an extensive economic reform program, including the privatization of the huge state oil monopoly.
"The Lockerbie sanctions have greatly weakened Gadhafi, and he appears to have come to the realization that his regime's survival depends on rapprochement with Washington — not least because Libya is desperate for foreign investment," according to an analysis in the new issue of Foreign Affairs.
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U.S. energy firms, fearful of losing valuable markets to European competitors, have pressed for a fresh approach toward Libya, but the Bush administration has insisted that Tripoli had failed to come clean on its weapons of mass destruction programs.
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The ambassador said the Libyan announcement was a "good development," and could benefit U.S. multinational firms who faced imminent deadlines on existing leases to explore and develop Libyan oil fields.
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MORE OIL!!!!


EDIT: How Libya's move will impact U.S. politics

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/political_wrap/july-dec03/sb_12-19.html

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DAVID BROOKS: The one thing that will come out is the Bush administration can now make the argument, we don't just bang the drums of war. We have other tools at our disposal in the war in terror we do it in some places this way we do it in other places another way. We prefer the Libya way. They can say that for the next couple of years. We prefer not to do the Iraq way but we are capable of both.
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http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/africa/july-dec03/libya_12-19.html

pResidential speech transcript and spin by Lehrer

[aquart]

1. Isn't "U.S. multinational firms" an oxymoron?

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. it sounds like one, but normal usage

is for a firm with headquarters in the USA, but significant divisions elsewhere. Most big firms are multinational - Ford, General Motors, Exxon, IBM, Proctor & Gamble, etc.