Libya Compensated for 32 years of Italian Colonization
In describing the details of the compensatory awards Saif al-Islamson said that “billions” (not mentioning an exact number) would be spent on a long desired coastal highway reaching from the Tunisian border to Egypt.
On August 30, 2008 Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi traveled to the Mediterranean city of Benghazi to publicly apologize for Italian colonization and signed a 5 billion dollar deal. Berlusconi stated, “It is my duty, as a head of government, to express to you in the name of the Italian people our regret and apologies for the deep wounds that we have caused you.” He and Qaddafi signed a “friendship and cooperation agreement” in recognition of the compensation given for the damages incurred during the colonial period.
However, the accord does not only discuss compensation for such damages, but also introduces an agreement to curb illegal Libyan immigration into Italy. Some Libyan immigrants migrate to Italy via inflatable rafts, or penetrate Italian borders, or overstay visas indefinitely.
The immigrant situation caused the Italian government to declare a state of emergency in response to the dramatic increase in landings on Lampedusa (a large Island off of the Italian mainland). Thus, the accord could be a major step toward resolving Italy’s immigration crisis. However, this approach to the immigration problem raises two questions: How effectively will Libya implement restrictions against illegal emigration to Italy? And would a deal be seen by Italians as appropriate with respect to an oil-rich country?
Roy Dickson
