The Big Bang Theory

Leroy A. Binns Ph.D.

During the twilight hours of January 6^th the United States once again took center stage as her war planes shot down two Libyan MIG 23s in international airspace off the coast of Tobruk.

Within minutes of the attack Libyan officials denounced the callous act and readily asserted that their aircrafts were reconnaissance planes on a routine mission. Meanwhile in a Pentagon briefing Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral William Crowe expressed the view that the Libyan fighters displayed “clear hostile intent” towards their American counterparts. Carlucci reiterated by saying that missiles were fired only after the planes showed signs of unfriendly aerial maneuvers. Nonetheless for many the clash within the Mediterranean was premeditated.

Ever since the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan US/Libyan relations have gone sour. The chronology of events reveal the following: The 1981 downing of the two Libyan warplanes alleged to have attacked US Navy F-14 fighters over the Gulf of Sidra, a US attack on several Libyan ships and a missile installation on Libyan soil and the bombing of Tripoli and Benghazi all of which occurred in 1986. As if that were just the tip of the iceberg the Reagan administration has now threatened to destroy a Libyan pharmaceutical plant she claims to be a budding haven for chemical weapons.

During a stormy period of allegations the US has accused Bonn of failure to investigate Imhausen Chemie, a German company aiding the Libyan venture. In addition the former’s distasteful attitude has caused commotion at the Global Conference on chemical weapons that recently convened in Paris. However although the Germans conceded that the firm in question assisted the Libyans in the construction of the controversial plant they denied there was proof to link her to an arms deal. By the same token while addressing delegates in the French capital Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze emphasized the need for evidence if Libya ought to be condemned whereas French and Greek regimes withheld judgment but cautioned America against premature actions.

As tempers flared Libyan Col Muammar Gaddafi has asked for and gained the support of Third World nations. Saudia Arabia much to the dismay of the United States has voiced opposition to the skytrain affair and has offered to mediate on behalf of both parties while countries such as Syria, Tunisia and Cuba to name a few have used the United Nations as a political forum to denounce US atrocities.

In spite of the fact that Herbert Okun, a US representative to the UN Security Council perceives America’s position as “a clear and unambiguous act of self defense” Libya’s assertion remains an issue. In the past America has admitted to her unwarranted involvement in naval exercises off the coast of Libya. Such acts could also be considered groundless especially when pondering staunch opposition to the plant’s closure due to lack of evidence.

Unfortunately a Libyan diplomat’s summation tells it all. “This is the Reagan administration’s notion of a goodbye celebration – the display of fireworks on foreign soil.”