6 THE JAPAN TIMES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 (3) Libya revolution day

Ahmed O.O. ELHWAT the theme of ‘‘Libya in the 21st CHARGE D’AFFAIRES A.I., PEOPLE’S Century.’’ This event was BUREAU OF THE GREAT SOCIALIST Libya fetes 40th anniversary of Great AlFateh Revolution warmly received because of PEOPLE’S LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA Dr. Eng. Saif Al-Islam’s can------dor in explaining Libya’s point On this auspicious 40th anni- and trade (a member of the economic and political impor- quently embarked on a mis- tary of the General People’s age of the foundation, Dr. Eng. of view. In addition, an art ex- versary of the Great AlFateh Cabinet), who also happens to tance of Libya to Japan. That sion to Libya the following Committee for Foreign Liai- Saif Al-Islam visited Japan as hibition with the support of the Revolution of the Great Social- be chairperson of the Libya- is to say, the Kimura entou- month and held fruitful discus- son and International Cooper- a guest of honor of Aichi Expo Japan Foundation depicting ist People’s Libyan Arab Japan Friendship Associa- rage in 1979 was made up of 35 sions with the National Oil Co. ation lasted over five hours. 2005 to attend the Libya Na- Libya’s rich cultural heritage, Jamahiriya, it tion, was invited to Tokyo by political, business and media (NOC) on cooperation in the The special envoy also met the tional Day in Nagoya on April titled ‘‘The Desert is Not Si- is an honor for the Japanese government, representatives. As for the energy sector. In addition, on secretary of the General Peo- 7. lent,’’ was inaugurated in To- me to be able to during which time he met the Sakurachi visit of 1985, an im- the occasion of the eighth In- ple’s Congress. Indeed, the welcome grant- kyo by Dr. Eng. Saif Al-Islam offer you, dis- foreign minister. The signifi- pressive 57-member delega- ternational Energy Forum in Discussions during the ed Dr. Eng. Saif Al-Islam dur- with the royal presence of tinguished cance of this visit of the 10- tion comprising representa- September 2002 in Japan, the meetings touched on all areas ing this six-day visit was over- Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, as readers, a chro- member delegation was that it tives of the three different chairperson of the NOC, who is of bilateral interest. The Liby- whelming. Prime Minister well as parliamentarians, the nological over- was the first Cabinet-level vis- Japanese political parties, also chairperson of the Libya- an side urged Japan to partici- Junichiro Koizumi, as well as diplomatic corps and Japa- view of the de- it on the part of Libya since business as well as 10 media Japan Friendship Associa- pate in the economic develop- other influential members of nese guests. velopments in 1985. personalities arrived in Libya tion, held important meetings ment of Libya in such sectors the Cabinet, former premiers, Equally, the Libya National bilateral relations between The Japanese government just in time to celebrate with with many senior officials in as oil and gas, industrializa- the Lower House Speaker and Day that featured a folklore Libya and Japan. This ap- used this opportunity to dis- the Libyan people the 16th an- Tokyo. tion of the vast national land, Diet members from different troupe in Nagoya in honor of proach, I believe will show patch the senior vice minister niversary of the Great AlFa- In September 2003, the sec- the Great Man-Made River political parties all engaged in Dr. Eng. Saif Al-Islam was more concrete facts of the bi- for foreign affairs in Septem- teh Revolution. retary of International Coop- project, desalination of sea- direct talks with Dr. Eng. Saif well attended, thanks in part lateral discourse. In closing, I ber 2000 as a way to resume The 1998 and 1999 trips of eration of the General Peo- water, electric power genera- Al-Islam. Meetings also took to the hospitality of the mayor will report briefly on the re- ‘‘high-level political dialogue Kakizawa with an entourage ple’s Committee for Foreign tion as well as deepen cultural place with executives of JBIC, of the city of Tahara. Gov. Ma- cent events in my home coun- to invigorate relations be- of 18 and 14 members, respec- Liaison and International Co- exchange through providing JCCME, JETRO, industrial saaki Kanda of Aichi Prefec- Libyan leader Col. Moammar try vis-a-vis the international tween Japan and Libya.’’ In- tively, mainly made up of operation represented Libya scholarships for students to and energy companies, and ture also kindly hosted the Ai- Gadhafi arena and discuss avenues of deed, this was the first visit of business leaders, sought to at TICAD III, giving both sides study in Japan. the Agency for Natural Re- chi Welcome Night as part of cooperation that are mutually a Japanese government rep- promote and enhance econom- secretary of the Basic Peo- a further occasion to maintain Incidentally, this trip hap- sources and Energy. the celebration. The Libyan beneficial. resentative at the ministerial ic opportunities in Libya. The ple’s Congresses of the Secre- the positive rapport over the pened during the birthday of Pavilion, with the theme At the outset, let me take or vice ministerial level. The importance attached to these tariat of the General People’s course of this exchange of se- the special envoy and in con- uring these meet- ‘‘Where Yellow and Blue is this opportunity to extend on senior vice minister had ex- missions by Libya is clearly Congress (member of the leg- nior-level visits between the gratulation, Col. Gadhafi sent ings, the topics dis- Green,’’ portrayed the rich di- behalf of our leader Col. Mo- tensive talks with the secre- evident in the hospitality be- islative branch). two countries. Indeed, the sec- him a bouquet of flowers. In cussed covered a verse desert culture. At the ammar Gadhafi, the people of tary of the General People’s stowed on them by their meet- In October 1998, Libya par- retary returned again to take Japan, the environment min- D range of interests end of the six-month expo, it Libya, myself and my col- Committee for Foreign Liai- ing with Col. Gadhafi. The sub- ticipated in the second Tokyo part in an investment forum ister, Yuriko Koike, invited such as gaining expertise for had managed to draw more leagues at the Libyan People’s son and International Cooper- sequent wide media coverage International Conference for hosted by the Japan Coopera- her Libyan counterpart to at- administrative reform and than 2 million visitors. Bureau in Tokyo, our sincere ation, as well as with the for- in Japan paid tribute to this African Development (TICAD tion Center for the Middle tend the first Japan-Arab En- provision of vocational and The media coverage in Ja- heartfelt greetings to Their mer secretary of economy and fact. II). The Libyan representa- East (JCCME). The secretary vironment Ministers Seminar technical know-how; execut- pan and Libya was extensive. Imperial Majesties Emperor trade on bilateral issues, in- tive was the assistant secre- was kept busy as he met most in March 2004. The aim was to ing joint development projects Close to 20 minutes of live tele- Akihito and Empress Michiko, cluding economic affairs and n the Libyan side, tary of the General People’s of the trade organizations expand cooperation between in Africa; cooperation in the vision interviews were con- the government and the development issues in Africa. Cabinet-level visits Committee for Foreign Liai- such as the Japan External Japan and Arab countries in energy sector through joint ducted on prime-time popular friendly people of Japan. It should be mentioned that date back to 1980, son and International Cooper- Trade Organization the field of environmental con- ventures for the exploration, news networks, which was The Japan Times is also several influential Japanese O when the secretary ation. This invitation also pre- (JETRO), Japan Business servation. development and rehabilita- beamed into Japanese homes worthy of special acknowledg- dignitaries who had visited of planning came to Japan as sented Japan with an opportu- Federation (Nippon Keidan- At the end of the same year, tion of oil fields; joint solar-en- to directly voice Libya’s point ment for allowing our bureau Libya prior to this, namely, head of the Libya-Japan nity to enhance bilateral ren) as well as other govern- the parliamentary vice minis- ergy research; completion of of view. All major Japanese over the years to share, as Zentaro Kosaka (1974), Toshio Friendship Association and relations. ment officials. ter for foreign affairs visited a legal framework to enter in- newspapers allocated space to mentioned above, the latest Kimura (1979), Yoshio Saku- host of a Libyan cultural exhi- H.E. Col. Saadi Moammar During June 2004, senior Libya to maintain the ex- to bilateral agreements; cre- discuss the positive impact of developments in bilateral dis- rachi (1985) and Koji Kakiza- bition in Tokyo. In 1983, the Gadhafi visited Japan as vice minister for foreign af- change between senior mem- ation of a joint businessmen’s the visit. Libyan television course between our two wa (1998 and 1999), had all secretary of the General Peo- chairman of the Libyan Foot- fairs, Ichiro Aizawa, as spe- bers of the two countries. In council by linking chambers of and newspapers lauded this friendly nations and people, as served as foreign ministers ple’s Congress (head of the ball Federation. Col. Saadi cial envoy of the prime minis- March 2005, former Foreign commerce; cooperation in the timely visit, and congratulat- well as about my country. I before their trips to Libya. In legislative branch) also paid a carried a letter addressed to ter, set a record by becoming Minister Kakizawa, in his ca- field of information technolo- ed both sides on its success. would also like to congratulate addition, Kakizawa, as a visit to Japan. This was fol- the prime minister from the the first serving member of pacity as chairperson of the gy; encouragement of invest- In November 2005, the Ja- on this happy occasion Libyan member of the House of Rep- lowed by a visit in April 1985 by Libyan leader, and met the the Cabinet at a ministerial friendship association, led a ments; establishment of joint pan-AU Parliamentary nationals residing in Japan resentatives, visited Libya in the secretary of the General minister of economy, trade level and vice ministerial lev- delegation of energy company projects in various industrial Friendship League visited and invite you all to celebrate April 1986, much to the delight People’s Committee for Heavy and industry as well as the se- el to meet Col. Gadhafi. This executives and held meetings fields; and provision of post- Libya headed by Koji Omi, with Libyans throughout the of the Japanese media. With Industry. From the foreign af- nior vice minister for foreign meeting was front-page news with many prominent Libyan graduate fellowships and ad- former minister of state for world our Revolution Day of the exception of the Kosaka fairs portfolio, the first visit of affairs. This visit in June 2001 in most major Japanese and personalities, including H.E. vance training for Libyan na- science and technology policy, the Great Sept. 1 AlFateh Rev- mission, the other delegation the secretary of the General laid the groundwork for fur- Libyan media outlets. Dr. Eng. Saif Al-Islam Moam- tionals. and founder of the Science and olution. chiefs all traveled to Libya People’s Committee for For- ther avenues of cooperation. A The Web site of the Ministry mar Gadhafi, president of the Dr. Eng. Saif Al-Islam also Technology Forum (STS Fo- Chronological overview with the added prestige of be- eign Liaison and International year later, Col. Saadi visited of Foreign Affairs of Japan Gadhafi Foundation for De- gave a lecture organized by rum). Omi held a number of On the political-diplomatic ing chairpersons of the Japan- Cooperation, Dr. Ali Al-Trieki, again to attend the FIFA proudly documents the hospi- velopment as well as head of the United Nations University important meetings with se- level, Libya-Japan relations Libya Friendship Association. as an official guest of the Japa- World Cup 2002. tality granted the special en- the NOC. with the support of the Foreign nior Libyan officials related to have been improving steadily The significance of these nese government, took place With this positive develop- voy. The meeting with Col. Ga- One month later, with Lib- Ministry and the Institute for science and technology policy. over the last decade. In April visits was that they played a in August 1985. Another visit ment, a delegation of 17 ener- dhafi lasted over two hours ya’s second participation in a Disarmament and Peace In April the following year, 2000, the secretary of economy major role in highlighting the during October was that of the gy industry executives subse- while the one with the secre- global expo, under the patron- Studies of Meiji University, on CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

The Japan Times PUBDATE: 9/1/2009 PAGE: 6 C M Y K OUTPUT TIME: 16:8:37

9/1/199 / / PT JTE/PG 6/ED 1 (3) THE JAPAN TIMES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2009 7 Libya revolution day

40th anniversary of the Great AlFateh Revolution Association works to foster friendship CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 2007 saw three important tee for Foreign Liaison and In- ing, medical centers, educa- and social development pro- the friendship association, co- visits to Libya. The first was a ternational Cooperation visit- tional institutions, road net- jects for a more concrete con- Yuriko Koike back to the late 1970s when I chairperson from June 24 this led by former foreign minis- repeat by Diet member Ma- ed Japan to participate in TI- works, port and harbor facili- centration on peace and devel- CHAIRPERSON, JAPAN-LIBYA FRIENDSHIP had the opportunity to year, I intend to continue this ters Kakizawa and Nobutaka tsuda. The visit was to follow CAD IV. On the sidelines of ties, the Great Man-made Riv- opment. ASSOCIATION interview Col. Moammar important task, in my personal Machimura, organized an en- up areas of interest in science this meeting, the secretary er project (for drinking and In recognition of this auda- FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER Gadhafi. Since then, I have and professional capacities. ergy mission of senior energy and technology that the two met the senior vice minister agrarian purposes), modern cious move, many world lead------traveled to Libya (December Having lived in the Arab world executives. They had a num- sides agreed to continue con- for foreign affairs and dis- office and hospitality com- ers have visited Libya. In fact On the occasion of the 40th 2006) as national security and traveled to most Arab ber of direct talks, including sultations on. cussed possible avenues of co- plexes, etc., are but a few of some reports indicate that in anniversary of adviser and met with my countries, I believe I can make with the secretary of the Gen- The second visit was by Ta- operation that can assist Afri- the gigantic projects that are 2007 and 2008 there were more the AlFateh counterpart, Dr. Mutassim an important and distinctive eral People’s Committee and keshi Iwaya, senior vice min- ca. The following year, the to directly benefit the Libyan than 72 and 55 such high-level Revolution, as Gadhafi. As environment contribution. the NOC. The association also ister for foreign affairs. This secretary was invited for fur- people. visits, respectively. chairperson of minister, I also met Dr. Eng. In fact, before the end of this set up a booth at the 35th Tripo- visit of June 2007 was used to ther discussions during which On the capacity-building Indeed, on the domestic the Seif Al-Islam Gadhafi (April year, I hope to head an official li International Fair through invite Libyan officials to at- he met the minister of foreign level, the universal education front, this year is no different. Japan-Libya 2005) in Japan as well as economic and political which several Japanese com- tend TICAD IV. During his so- affairs as well as a number of policy undertaken at the onset In fact summit diplomacy will Friendship various Libyan dignitaries, delegation to Libya to panies participated and even journ in Libya, Iwaya held former Cabinet members. of the AlFateh Revolution re- perhaps be more intense than Association, I including the former prime exchange views with senior hosted some Japanese cultur- meetings with the secretary of In October 2008, the secre- sulted in the establishment of both years put together. In would like to minister. Libyan officials on how best to al events as part of their activ- the General People’s Commit- tary of the General People’s a full educational structure. June, Libya hosted the sum- express my heartfelt The Japan-Libya Friendship move forward. I am confident ities. tee, the secretary of the Gen- Committee for Education was Almost every town in Libya mit of CEN-SAD. In July, Lib- congratulations to the Association has vigorously that the Libyan People’s eral People’s Committee for invited to participate in the hosts a university and other ya hosted the AU summit, leadership and people of Libya. worked to foster the Bureau in Tokyo will maintain hree months later, the Foreign Liaison and Interna- STS Forum. The secretary al- vocational institutions. There which also included guest non- Indeed, my personal relationship between our two its support of our efforts as it chairperson of the tional Cooperation, and other so attended the first Japan-Af- are also plans to increase the African leaders, and this Au- experience with Libya dates countries, and as the new did with my predecessors. NOC, Dr. Shokri Gha- officials. Iwaya also met sev- rica Science and Technology significance of the tourism gust, an extraordinary sum- T nem (former secre- eral African leaders partici- Ministers’ Meeting. In addi- sector as a tool of intercultural mit for the Resolution of Con- tary of the General People’s pating in the summit of the tion, the secretary held bilat- communication, which brings flicts in Africa has been held. Committee) visited Japan at Community of Sahel-Saharan eral meetings with the minis- about further cultural under- This is because Col. Gadhafi is Libya, we have noticed that a win-win situation for all. Ja- ment of a new ambassador of the invitation of the friendship States (CEN-SAD). ter of state for science and standing and tolerance, espe- the AU chairperson. More- fair number of Cabinet-level pan can take advantage of this Japan to Libya, Wataru Nishi- association. During his stay, The third visit was that of technology, and the minister cially as Libya is home to nu- over, it won’t be a surprise if officials have visited Japan. momentum of steady diplo- gahiro. We are sure that his he met the ministers of foreign Koji Kakizawa of the friend- of education, culture, sports, merous UNESCO World Heri- many leaders from around the The same cannot be said in re- macy. However, the exchang- excellent diplomatic abilities affairs; economy, trade and ship association with an entou- science and technology. The tage sites comprising world are in Libya to join in turn. But what is important, is es of visits at Cabinet level re- are of a high order and will industry; environment; and rage of 20 business leaders. discussions focused mainly on prehistoric, Greek, Roman, celebrating the 40th anniver- that the connections exist and main vital and crucial to jump lead the relationship to new science and technology. The During their stay, the wel- how Libya can learn from the Phoenician and Islamic antiq- sary of the revolution. must be utilized for mutual start the process. heights. In tandem, the Liby- chairperson also held exten- come extended to having di- Japanese education system uities. The latest of such benefit. Indeed, this June, former an People’s Bureau in Japan is sive talks with senior execu- rect talks with the secretaries and the possibility of increas- schemes has been inaugurat- ibya is a nonperma- If we look back at the visits Defense Minister Yuriko Koi- ready to provide full support tives of energy, environment, of the General People’s Com- ing scholarships for Libyan ed by Dr. Eng. Saif Al-Islam nent member of the by energy officials of Japan to ke became the new chairper- to meet this end. economy, industry and the mittee for Manpower, Train- students. with the Cyrene Declaration, U.N. Security Council. Libya, we notice a remarkable son of the friendship associa- In closing, I once again ex- trade sector. ing and Employment; Econo- In December 2008, former which will become the world’s L The president of the success in comparison with oth- tion. Koike is perhaps the most tend my congratulations to the During August 2006, Iwao my; Electricity, Gas and Minister of State for Science first regional-scale conserva- United Nations General As- er industry sectors. Perhaps knowledgeable politician on two distinguished personali- Matsuda, minister of state for Water Resources; Transpor- and Technology Matsuda was tion and development project sembly of the 64th Session, only the energy sector of Japan Arab issues, with the experi- ties on their appointments, science and technology, paid tation and Communication; invited to Libya by the Nation- dedicated to responding to the starting Sept. 15, will be Dr. has managed to get a foothold ence and ability to cultivate and express on my behalf and an official visit to Libya as a the NOC; as well as with the al Economic Development challenges and opportunities Ali Al-Trieki of Libya. Next in the vast lucrative investment the relationship even further. my colleagues at the Libyan special envoy of the prime assistant secretary of the Gen- Board (NEDB) and invited to for sustainable development year, Libya will host the Arab projects in Libya due to their The expertise of the associa- People’s Bureau in Tokyo, my minister. Matsuda was the eral People’s Committee for become one of the five interna- in the Green Mountain region. League summit of the 22 Arab perseverance. This is especial- tion and its network of friends heartfelt congratulations on first serving minister of Japan Foreign Liaison and Interna- tional advisers. This July, Ma- On the African continent, countries. ly clear when we compare the is also an added bonus that can the 40th anniversary of the to meet Col. Gadhafi. He also tional Cooperation. tsuda traveled to Libya to par- Col. Gadhafi has been an unre- This couple of years have al- nationalities of companies par- provide backbone support. Great Sept. 1 AlFateh Revolu- engaged in important talks From Libya, the general di- ticipate in the board meeting lenting champion of African so seen Col. Gadhafi being ticipating in many other pro- This August saw the appoint- tion to all. with several key senior offi- rector of the Libyan Foreign of this five-member interna- emancipation. This is clear in hosted in European capitals jects. Some are considered cials, including the secretary Investment Board attended tional consultative body. The the support from the evolution such as Brussels, Paris, Mos- even latecomers if we consider of the General People’s Com- the JCCME Investment Pro- NEDB is an influential organi- of the Organization of Africa cow, Kiev, Minsk, Rome, Ma- the long diplomatic relation we mittee for Manpower, Train- motion Forum in March 2007. zation that reports directly to Unity (OAU) into the African drid, etc., in addition to nu- have with Japan. ing and Employment. This annual event draws eco- the secretary of the General Union (AU) through the Sirte merous African and Arab cap- Of course, we acknowledge Following the visit of the nomic, political and business People’s Committee. One of its Declaration of Sept. 9, 1999. itals. Just recently, he was that in the past few years, special envoy to Libya, the leaders from all over the Mid- focuses is to offer practical ini- Today, the AU is on the verge invited to attend the G-8 sum- there have been some initia- secretary of the General Peo- dle East. tiatives that concentrate on of evolving into the United mit in L’Aquila, Italy, that had tives with regards to capacity ple’s Committee for At the beginning of 2008, the capacity building of the young States of Africa. The estab- 27 international leaders pre- building. Libyans have bene- Manpower, Training and Em- assistant secretary of the Gen- generation in Libya. This is all lishment of CEN-SAD in 1998 sent. fited from medium-term ployment was invited to Japan eral People’s Committee for part of the strategy of the lead- from a meeting in Tripoli of Relations: the way forward training programs, others to participate in the STS Fo- Foreign Liaison and Interna- ership to fully utilize and allow five like-minded African lead- In the chronological over- have been granted postgradu- rum. During this visit, he had tional Cooperation visited Ja- the youth to more directly con- ers is another concrete indica- view of bilateral relations, I ate study opportunities here in meetings with a number of pan as a special envoy of Col. tribute in the further develop- tion of Libya’s sponsorship. have shed light on the level of Japan. The only drawback is Cabinet members and busi- Gadhafi and delivered a letter ment of Libya. Now CEN-SAD has developed the discourse through the re- when a comparison is made of ness leaders. to Prime Minister Yasuo Fu- Developments in Libya into an organization compris- ciprocal visits of officials on other bilateral relations. At the end of 2006, Yuriko kuda. During this visit, the as- Libya in the last decade has ing 28 states, second in size on- both sides. In the latter part on Business leaders of many Koike headed for Libya in her sistant secretary had frank experienced a remarkable ly to the AU. the developments in Libya, countries that have succeeded capacity as national security discussions with 16 key offi- transformation that is best de- On the global front, Libya is the aim was to show Libya’s in participating in Libya’s adviser and based on an offi- cials, including the minister of scribed as being multilayered leading by example as it took standing on a global level. The countless developmental in- cial invitation for direct talks foreign affairs, two former and proactive. On the econom- perhaps the most courageous reason is plain. The funda- frastructure projects have with her counterpart Dr. Mu- prime ministers, former for- ic front, Libya has been decision in 2003 to unilaterally mentals for a dramatic en- skillfully called on their politi- tassim Moammar Gadhafi. eign ministers, a former de- blessed with natural resourc- and voluntarily give up its nu- hancement of bilateral rela- cal leaders to lobby on their She also had an opportunity to fense minister and others. es that the leadership has put clear and WMD program, set- tions have existed for many behalf. This has resulted in exchange views with senior of- During the same year, the to good use. Wide-ranging in- ting an example for others to years between Libya and Ja- partnerships of mutual confi- ficials during her two-day vis- secretary for Asian affairs of frastructure projects follow, and diverting these pan. The opportunities for the dence between Libya and it. the General People’s Commit- (2008-2011) that include hous- funds into peaceful economic two sides are infinite. From those countries, creating a

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