Libyan Head of State Incites Controversy at Georgetown
The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies came under fire last week by a former World Bank executive for planning to host controversial Libyan leader Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi at an upcoming video lecture.
In an open letter to CCAS director and School of Foreign Service Professor Michael Hudson, Hafed Al-Ghwell, the former manager of the Public Diplomacy and Information Center at the World Bank Group in D.C. and current director at the Dubai School of Government, argues that the lecture will legitimize the past actions of al-Qaddafi — including public hangings, forced exiles, home demolitions and abuse, according to Al-Ghwell.
Al-Qaddafi has conducted open interviews with western media networks and openly met with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2004. The U.S. government has officially revoked Libya’s status as a state sponsor of terrorism and reopened full diplomatic relations with the country.
Al-Qaddafi, who is slated to address members of the Georgetown community in the Intercultural Center Auditorium via satellite on Jan. 21, plans to speak about the proposed solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as outlined in his “White Book.” The Libyan leader calls for the incorporation of both Israel and the Palestinian territories into a single federalist and republican state.
According to Hudson, CCAS was approached a few months ago by a Libyan research institute to host al-Qaddafi. The Lecture Fund and the International Relations Club then signed on as co-sponsors.
“The Center's Faculty Executive Committee discussed the offer and the pros and cons of having one of the most controversial — and to many, despised — rulers in the Middle East appear (albeit electronically) on our campus,” Hudson wrote in an e-mail. “We believe that we are contributing to the educational experience of Georgetown students by giving them the opportunity to hear controversial speakers and judge for themselves. [Al-Qaddafi] has spoken in similar videoconference format at Columbia, Oxford and Cambridge — why shouldn't Georgetown students also have the opportunity if it is possible?”
Al-Ghwell’s distributed his letter of protest to over 1700 members of Libya Monitor, a blog that follows the oppression of Libyan citizens.
“To invite him to speak about his completely discredited and imbecilic idea of ‘Asrateen’ — one of many — which he put together in this so-called ‘White Book,’ and which [CCAS] plan to distribute in the event, is an insult to the intelligence of the Georgetown community and the sensibilities of those in both the Arab and Jewish communities,” Al-Ghwell wrote in his open letter.
According to Hudson, inviting al-Qaddafi to speak is neither justifying nor honoring his actions. Rather, he said he hopes to offer students a chance to interact with an international head of state and ask him tough questions.
In order to support the lecture, CCAS has accepted funding from the Exxon Mobil Corporation. After evaluating the cost of the event, which includes satellite rental, an Arabic-English interpreter and simultaneous translation equipment, Hudson said CCAS approached one of its regular corporate sponsors for funding, Exxon Mobil, which he said has a long-standing relationship with the center. In 2007, the company gave CCAS $25,000 for the purposes of “public information and policy research,” according to a company report on Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments.
Al-Ghwell also expressed anger that CCAS is requiring all questions to be screened in advance.
“If the objective is to have an honest discussion within an academic environment, then Qaddafi should have the courage to accept and answer questions without hiding behind a veil that is meant to shield him from tough questions,” Al-Ghwell said. “The center should insist that all those who wish to ask questions be allowed to do so freely and openly.”
According to Hudson, CCAS is working with the vice president for student affairs, the Department of Public Safety and the SFS dean to create a way to allow for maximum participation while avoiding potential disruption of the meeting. Questions will be submitted to a small panel, who will select which ones to ask. According to Hudson, this is a standard procedure for high-profile events.
Jan 13 2009 at 10:40 p.m.
George Patsourakos
Georgetown University should continue with its plans to host Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar al-Qaddafi to a video lecture, despite some opposition to this lecture. Such a forum would provide the students with a first-hand view of the Libyan dictator, and perhaps even an explanation for his tyrannical form of government. Although the vast majority of Americans are opposed to al-Qaddafi's barbaric ruling techniques -- especially when this barbarism is compared to America's democratic form of government --we need to be mindful of the fact that a true democracy ecourages an open forum that allows all viewpoints of political thought!
Jan 14 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Agree with above - as LONG as there is a strong pre and post emphasis on exaplining the exact extent of bastardly murder that this evil man has engaged in. He has oppressed an entire nation for decades. We shouldn't quash debate - but by God, we need to make sure that that debate is informed by facts.
In fact, we ought to bring in pictures to show just what he has done ...
Jan 14 2009 at 2:52 p.m.
If only Doctor Brown hadn't invented that time machine...
Jan 14 2009 at 7:30 p.m.
You just said " a true democracy encourages an open forum that allows all viewpoints of political thought"
WHERE is the other viewpoint that CANNOT offered to pay .....
Get off your high horse and stop being a Moran.
Jan 14 2009 at 8:12 p.m.
The problem with having this event is that he'll ramble about "Isratine" and no tough questions will be selected for him to answer. Or if he does get such a question -- perhaps about his brutality against his own people or how he is responsible for fomenting and supporting civil wars (and many deaths) in Africa -- he will just change the subject or deflect the question in some flippant way. I've seen him do this before.
Jan 14 2009 at 9:28 p.m.
My brother was murdered by the Qaddafi regime in the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 when I was a sophomore. A Libyan agent was convicted and remains in prison after numerous appeals. I support free speech at Georgetown even in this instance. However, a satellite transmission is speechifying by a man who is an ironic choice to discuss resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Just this week he encouraged Arab "volunteers" from around to world to flock to Gaza to support Hammas. If he wants to speak at Georgetown, show up in person and take on the real issues of his repressive regime and be held accountable for his actions. We owe more to the Georgetown graduates that Qaddafi murdered. Yes, people will see Qaddafi as a buffoon and probably dismiss him, which does not reflect well on our choice of speakers. Nevertheless, I believe allowing him to speak without an in-person challenge from the audience violates the spirit of a liberal arts education. I welcome the opportunity to have a real dialouge
Jan 15 2009 at 4:45 a.m.
Gadhafi is an unrepentant thug with nothing to offer by vidotape or otherwise. He speaks gibberish and will deny responsibility for the murders of Georgetown alumni on Pan
Am 103. He and his nincompoop son claim that they only "accepted" responsibility to get the economic sanctions removed, and do not "admit responsibility." It is a shame that the US Government lets him get away with parsing these admissions. I would not oppose his appearance at Georgetown if he had to respond to these questions. Will we have the opportunity to ask them?
Frank Duggan, President
Victims of Pan Am 103, Inc.
Jan 15 2009 at 2:55 p.m.
It was disappointing to learn of the videotape presentation of Gadhafi to students, sponsored by Exxon Mobile. As Frank Duggan, President of Victims of Pan Am 103 has said, neither Gadhafi or his son have "admitted responsibility", but have "accepted responsibility" to remove economic sanctions and encourage the economic relationships that would benefit their country and satisfy the desires of the current US administration.
I too hope that Gadhafi is expected to address these issues, but I am doubtful that students will hear an acceptable answer. Perhaps those who have a different view should be invited to a future discussion so that students have more information/facts to consider.
Jean Jones, wife of Ken Jones whose son, Christopher was murdered in the bombing.
Jan 15 2009 at 3:07 p.m.
I too believe that allowing Gadhafi to "speak" by video link is not in the best interest of Georgetown University. As many others have stated he will ramble on about whatever he wants to, never answer any questions he doesn't want to and advance his own agenda wihtout regard for what anyone might be asking him about. So what is the real purpose to having him in the discussion? Just to say - see we open it up to all? You can do better. You must do better. Gadhafi's record speaks for itself. My only hope if you do go ahead with it is that you do ask him the tough questions about why he has committed genocide in his own country, killed 270 people from many countries on Pan Am 103, tasked his security teams to kill other countries leaders, and most recently asked poeple to go to Gaza to support Hamas and carry out more bombings. But don't ever think he will answer these questions. And finally, does anyone else see the irony in Exxon Mobil being the sponsor of this event just as they are trying to get their folks back into Libya to start prodcing oil again?
Come on Georgetown - you can invite someone better.
Jan 15 2009 at 8:55 p.m.
I think it is disgusting Georgetown is allowing this video-conferance to take place. The dictaor who has not allowed basic human rights to his people has no business sharing his views, which are clearly one-sided -THIS IS NOT DEMOCRACY. For it to be fair, don't screen the questions and require RSVPing. It is clear what Exxon Valdes' motives are in sponsoring it, but what are Georgetowns? Shame on you.
Debby, Milwaukee, WI
Jan 16 2009 at 9:39 a.m.
Here is a copy of my letter to Dr. Hudson.
===============================================
Dr. Michael Hudson
hudsonm@georgetown.edu
Phone: +1-202-687-5648
Director of the Georgetown Center for Contemporary Arab Studies
As both a Libyan-American, and a long time friend of the Georgetown Center for Contemporary Arab Studies and many of its Academic and Administrative staff, I must admit that I am deeply disappointed to see this ,otherwise once respectable, Center allow itself to be used as a platform by Gaddafi no less.
You certainly don't need me to tell you about Gaddafi's history, or the mounting body count he is responsible for, nor, I am sure, you need me to remind you of the barbaric public hangings -- including on the campuses of Libyan Universities -, forced exiles, home demolitions, and inhumane abuse that countless independent Libyans have and continue to suffer at his hands over the years for nothing more than opposing him peacefully. I am also certain you don't need me to tell you about the corruption, incompetence, and abuse of power that will always be associated with his 40 years of absolute power and oppression in the minds and hearts of all independent and free Libyans, and most Arabs. Crimes that to this day, your proposed speaker does not seem to have the moral courage to admit nor address.
To invite him to speak about his completely discredited and imbecilic idea of "Asrateen" -- one of many -- which he put together in this so-called "White Book", and which you plan to distribute in the event, is an insult to the intelligence of the Georgetown community and the sensibilities of those in both the Arab and Jewish communities. As you are well aware, both the Palestinians and Israelis, along with most Arabs, have rejected its ideas on many many occasions over the years and dismissed it as laughable.
I realize that the real reasons behind this invitation are far more cynical than just hearing Gaddafi speak of his "ideas", even if for only entertainment purposes. The funding for the program and who is behind it speaks volumes about the real motives. And while one can understand, even if not able to morally accept, the slimy motives of oil companies who seem to be unable to find a moral bottom, one is at a lose to understand the motives of an academic institution that proposes to advance Arab studies in the U.S !
Having said all that, and knowing in advance the cliche answers that will be given about the " need to hear all voices etc" and knowing that you and I, and most others, are fully aware that these are not credible nor serious answeres, otherwise, Osama Bin Ladin should also be invited to speak at your Center very soon, I will spare you the trouble and simply ask you to open up this event and welcome all those interested to attend it without preconditions and with out requiring advanced reservation, which I am sure is designed to keep out those who will challenge this tin pot dictator , may be with their shoes, and embarrass your center. I would also urge you to allow all questions without the screening requirement of having to submit them via email first as the invitation states, unless the person asking the question chooses to do so freely. If the objective is to have an honest discussion within an academic environment, then Gaddafi should have the courage to accept and answer questions without hiding behind a veil that is meant to shield him from tough questions, and the center should insist that all those who wish to ask questions, be allowed to do so freely and openly.
I would also suggest to you and others that copies of Gaddaf's dismal human rights record should also be distributed freely at the event so your audience can have a sense of the history, quality, and "professional bio" of the speaker before them and grief the tragic lose of direction of a once credible Center of Arab Studies. These reports are widely available online by the way, from all respectable Human Rights Organizations, as well as the less respectable ones like the U.S. State Department.
Finally, I want to assure you, that while the Center may have gained Gaddafi and those oily oil men who keep him in the human rights abuse business as friends, the center has certainly lost the respect of many Libyans and others, myself included.
Sincerely
Hafed Al Ghwell
Hafed.Alghwell@gmail.com
Jan 16 2009 at 2:20 p.m.
I too lost a very dear friend in the terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie Scotland on 12/21/88. Many of the students that may participate in this 'conversation with Khadafi' were either very young or perhaps not even born. I suggest that each student and Dr. Hudson review web sites that detail the events leading up to the bombing and the tragic aftermath and then decide if you would still like to speak with Khadafi. I can tell you that I would be able to give you first hand information about the pain that he caused for so many people.
Please also consider the sponsor of this event (Exxon Mobil), the location of Georgetown U (I believe that you would not have this opportunity if you were in Iowa or elsewhere) and the timing (just before the inauguration) and I come to the conclusion that you are being played as the fool by a vicious, harsh, murderous dictator. It is also possible to study Khadafi’s history without bringing him to our soil electronically. There is a lot of information available that would allow the academic study without provide the platform for a heinous and oppressive leader.
I also suggest that you review your Catholic values and determine if hosting this event is in anyone's best interest other than Mr. Khadafi. After much pain and time, I have gotten to a place of forgiveness for Khadafi and Megrahi (the convicted bomber / murderer of Pan Am flight 103) but that does not mean that I'm ready to invite them into my country, electronically or otherwise, let alone my home, unless it is to stand trial for the crimes that he has committed.
In my view, Khadafi will be remembered in history for his oppression, murder and lying ways and a Catholic University in the USA should not allow him to try to alter the facts and evidence. Please do not be foolish and cancel this platform for Khadafi to spew his nonsense and spin the truth.
Jan 30 2009 at 1:46 p.m.
Who the hell is this "former World Bank executive" to speak about the subject? Seriously.
We had Doug Feith teaching on campus, the guy that restored torture in the US -- that didn't trigger that much outrage