Events in Libya are making headlines worldwide as an increasing number of countries recognize the National Transitional Council as Libya’s legitimate supreme authority. Paris has recently hosted the Friends of Libya International Conference, chaired by President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and involving over 60 heads of state and government. Are there any chances for Ukraine now that the civil war has ended in Libya? More on this in the following interview with Yevhen MYKYTENKO, Ukraine’s Special Representative, expert on the Middle East and Africa.
Wasn’t Ukraine’s recognition of the National Transitional Council belated? Russia did so earlier and took part in the Friends of Libya conference in Paris.
“We in Ukraine closely followed the domestic political conflict and hostilities in Libya. At the time and at the moment the Ukrainian government was and remains concerned about the well-being of several thousand Ukrainians in the areas under Gaddafi and rebels’ control. Our estimates show that about a thousand Ukrainians are still in Libya, so we consider it to be our duty and number one priority to secure their safety. Hence our bilateral contacts with both warring parties at an early stage of the conflict, including NTC officials at the United Nations during their visit to Kyiv in June within the framework of the fourth meeting of the International Contact Group on Libya, as well as representatives of the incumbent government. By the way, neither Russia nor any other European country has as many nationals in Libya as does Ukraine. I believe that Ukraine made a timely and well-motivated decision to recognize the NTC as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people after the main phase of the armed conflict. We also appreciate the fact that both warring parties tried to refrain from violating the civil rights of the Ukrainians in Libya, acknowledging their noble mission in providing medical assistance to the victims of the conflict. Ukraine has formally requested the new Libyan government that every effort be made to secure the well-being of the Ukrainians who remain on Libyan territory. I might also point out that Russia and Ukraine recognized the National Transitional Council practically simultaneously.”
What about the Ukrainians arrested by the Libyan insurgents?
“We know that 22 Ukrainians remain under arrest in Tripoli, on charges of involvement in the Libyan armed conflict and of having sided with the Gaddafi regime. Nineteen detainees are reported to be in a satisfactory condition, being held in custody with air conditioners, provided with food and water. One Ukrainian has been released owing to the new government’s willingness to cooperate. Measures are being taken to improve the conditions of three detainees. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine and the Ukrainian embassy in Tripoli keep the issue of their quick release on the top of their priorities agenda.”
How can Ukraine benefit from the political change in Libya? Why couldn’t Ukraine take advantage of the arrangements made between the Ukrainian and Libyan political leaders?
“Let me start with the last one. Since 1992, Ukraine-Libya relations have been eventful, including top-level visits, visits by ministerial and other administrative delegations. Medium- and long-term agreements and investment projects have been made and arranged for on a mutually advantageous basis, now being gradually implemented. Ukraine and Libya maintain friendly relations stemming from long mutual sympathies. Naturally, the new Libyan administration must rebuild the country in the first place, restoring normal life after the armed conflict. Friends in need are friends indeed. There is fruitful cooperation underway between Libya and Ukraine. Ukrainian personnel are still providing medical aid to Libyans. Ukraine plans to get actively involved in Libya’s reconstruction projects while providing humanitarian and technological aid. Ukraine can help Libya by supplying high technologies, sharing its industrial and agricultural potential while maintaining market costs. Ukraine is aware of Libya’s current economic needs. Ukraine can make business offer that will help meet these needs. Both countries have potential still to be implemented in terms of mutually advantageous investment projects relating to the gas supply, machine-, ship- and aircraft-building spheres, also in terms of chemistry, agribusiness, water management, you name it. Ukraine also expects the results of Libya’s intention of honoring the commitments under all previous international accords, as stated by the chairman of the National Transitional Council.”
All told, how do you visualize Libya’s political future? What form of governance will the Libyan people choose?
“Hostilities are still underway in Libya, this being a negative factor in the process of stabilizing the domestic political situation. Ukraine welcomes the completion of active combat operations there, but it is up to the Libyan people to determine that country’s political future, the Constitution and government. This is the Libyan people’s legitimate right. Ukraine hopes the armed conflict in Libya will end and that the [peaceful] political process will resume, aimed at establishing a prospering democracy in Libya.”
Will the defeat of Libya’s dictatorship change the political landscape in North Africa and Middle East?
“I’m sure it will. What is happening in Libya will surely affect the political situation in North Africa and the Middle East. I also believe that this is a serious matter to be handled by experts, political analysts, and research centers.”
We all know what’s going on in Syria. Don’t you think that the Syrian president will follow in Gaddafi’s footsteps, considering the mass protest rallies and Washington and EU’s sanctions?
“I think the situation in Syria is hardly predictable. There is no telling whether or not President Bashar al-Assad of Syria will suffer Gaddafi’s lot. The situations in Syria and Libya are obviously different. During the latest public unrest in Syria its political leadership agreed to make democratic changes to upgrade the political system and improve the socioeconomic status. A number of important laws were enacted with clauses meant to liberalize the political system. And the emergency situation law, effective since 1963, was nullified. Add here the laws allowing peaceful rallies, providing for political parties and general elections. Ukraine hopes that the dialog proclaimed by the Syrian leadership will help achieve a consensus with the opposition, thus restoring public peace and quiet.”
In view of all this, what should be Kyiv-Damascus policy all about?
“Ukraine proceeds from many years of experience of dealing with Syria, dating back to Soviet times. Our relations with Syria have been traditionally friendly. There are many Ukrainian nationals living in Syria (over 2,000 by unofficial estimates). Ukraine and Syria are actively developing economic cooperation. Ukraine has been closely following the domestic political situation in Syria. Ukraine supports the Syrian government in terms of political reforms and hopes that these reforms will be positively received by the international community; that they will help stabilize the domestic political situation.”
TO THE POINT
On September 7, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine summoned Libyan Ambassador Feisal Elshaari and formally requested information concerning the 23 Ukrainians under arrest in Libya. The Libyan insurgents are holding 19 Ukrainian nationals in custody at a local dorm; three other Ukrainians are in custody elsewhere, in the vicinity of Mitiga Airport. Ukrainian diplomacy has succeeded in having one Ukrainian detainee released. This person is with his relatives in Tripoli. Insurgent Chief Otman ben Otman first said the Ukrainians were armed and professionally trained snipers, but after the captives’ interviews with journalists, he made a different statement. The names of the Ukrainians who were arrested and relieved of their passports, money, and PCs are not revealed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine says Ukrainian diplomats will make every effort to have them released and transferred to the safety of the Ukrainian embassy in Libya.
