GADAFI STILL LIVE

In September 2009, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, in his first address to the United Nations General Assembly, delivered a speech lasting over 100 minutes—far exceeding the allotted 15 minutes—in which he strongly criticized the UN and the power dynamics of Western nations.

Statements and actions from Gaddafi’s speech include:

1. Tearing up the UN Charter: Gaddafi read from the UN Charter, then expressed his contempt for the organization, arguing that since its founding, the UN had failed to prevent or stop more than 65 wars. After tearing up the charter, he threw it behind him toward where Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and General Assembly President Ali Treki were seated.

2. “Terror Council”: He referred to the UN Security Council as “political feudalism” and a “Terror Council,” opposing the veto power held by its five permanent members, arguing that the body was not a security council but a terror council.

3. “Compensation must be paid to Africa”: Gaddafi demanded $7.7 trillion in reparations from former colonial powers for the exploitation of Africa, stating that if not paid, Africa’s resources should be returned.

4. He raised several allegations: He called for a new investigation into the assassination of John F. Kennedy. He argued that Somali pirates were not true pirates but rather responders to Western encroachment on their coastal waters. He also suggested that the H1N1 (swine flu) virus may have been created in a laboratory for military purposes.

5. A question about equality: He argued that the permanent veto power violates the principle of equality among member states and called for it to be abolished.

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