Exquisite Satire
Who knew that Moammar Gadhafi is such a gifted satirist? Saddam Hussein was known to have penned grand sweeping purple-prosed novels, but has it ever been written that Mr. Gadhafi exercises a literary wit of such hitherto-unsuspected talent? Perhaps, on reflection, Nicolas Sarkozi knew that when he extended the invitation to visit last summer in the throes of exhilaration at the successful release of the Palestinian doctor and Bulgarian nurses held for 8 years as prisoners by Libya.Gratitude in relief for small mercies encourages people to react in a manner they ordinarily would never submit to. And is the released doctor, Asraf Juma Hajuj, grateful? I daresay he is not, having launched a lawsuit against Col. Gadhafi holding him accountable for the 8 years he suffered in a Libyan prison, along with the obligatory torture provided to prisoners to assist their memories in admitting to and recanting their offences that occasionally never occurred.
These are but minor details, however, incidentals, insignificant detritus of history. Here is Paris hosting the one-time pariah, Moammar Gadhafi, now celebrated in some quarters as an accepted voice of co-operation with the West from the Muslim world. Clearly not, however, in certain other quarters, where France's Socialist parliamentarians chose to snub the royal visit, with Segolene Royal questioning her president's welcome of a "reigning dictator who has no scruples". Tch, tch - manners.
Along with the words of another former Socialist minister: "Sometimes you have to sup with the Devil, but you use a long spoon and don't serve him the soup", fairly well summing up the general unease at the visit in much of France. Yet on balance, the population had little to complain of, for they were indeed right royally entertained by this grand visit. The spectacle of Col. Gadhafi visiting Versailles and engaging in the sport of pheasant shooting, as a fob-off for his original request to go foxhunting at Fontainebleau, for one notable event.
For the Supreme Guide of the Revolution - Col. Gadhafi's quaintly revolutionary sobriquet - professes great admiration for the glittering days of divine rule and the sumptuary excesses of the generationally-numbered King Louises. His Bedouin tent set up in the gardens of the Marigny guest mansion, Col. Gadhafi made himself at home and comfortable, entertaining photographers from Paris Match as he set about his daily ablutions and prayers. Now all of France can share in his brief but illuminating presence.
There is much more to this man than meets the casual glance, for his visit gave the opportunity to castigate his hosts' lack of humanity in abusing the human rights of North African immigrants, dwelling in their sordid little enclaves on the outskirts of civil society. "They brought us here like cattle to do hard and dirty work, and then they throw us to live on the outskirts of towns, and when we claim our rights, the police beat us", he lectured at UNESCO headquarters. Touche.
France has much to learn from Libya, he went on; it would do well to emulate his own country, with its impeccable record of respect for human rights. Moreover, he lent his considerable weight to the rights of women, the other gender which he so highly respects that his bodyguard is comprised solely of stately young and beautiful women who accompany him everywhere. Not a travelling seraglio, but rather, as befits a modern-day prince of the realm, a female guard.
"I want to save European women", he declared, stating he is very well aware of their current plight and is prepared to commit himself to ease their dire conditions, "the tragic conditions of the European woman, who is forced sometimes into a job that she does not want". This, to a cheering crowd of admirers who know a good line when they hear it, and a stand-up comedian when they see one. Of such unmitigated talent and a free performance, withal.
His audience comprised of a thousand invitees representing feminist issues were pre-warned not to "upset" His Eminence. And they cheered mightily. Who knows how many of the assembled feminists might have aspired to join Col. Gadhafi's guard, after all, with its entitlement to the wearing of army fatigues, the ultimate liberation? They were so charmed by this extraordinary man they requested he provide financial support and airfare for a holiday to Libya.
Theirs was not the only group of Parisians to enjoy the presence of this extraordinary man; soldier, dictator, historical buff, feminist, comedian, for when he impulsively chose to visit the Louvre to stand in awestruck admiration before the Venus de Milo, other tourists and gallery attendees enjoyed the opportunity to experience an impromptu fire-emergency routine as they were rounded up and herded out of the building.
And then, of course, no one goes to Paris without visiting its world-famous boutiques and fashion salons extraordinaire. Col. Gadhafi deftly turned the tables and shopped instead for billions' worth of military and nuclear gear. A timely Christmas gift for state coffers, enriching the country nobly. Unable to constrain his impish sense of hilarious commentary, he told his audience at the Ritz hotel that "the cross that you wear has no sense, just like your prayers have no sense". Burka, anyone? Niqab?
President Sarkozy must be utterly bereft of a sense of humour. He has taken all of this seriously, instead of realizing that it all represents a gifted send-up, a delicious sense of irony trotted out for the delectation of an obviously undeserving public, since they failed to recognize Col. Gadhafi's talents. Mr. Sarkozy urged the Supreme Guide of the Revolution to issue a solemn statement of condemnation of the Algiers bomb attacks that killed UN personnel, among others.
But Col. Gadhafi was on a roll, and really forgetting political sobriety, enjoying his wit and the opportunity to share it with all onlookers. He complied with the request, adding that no Muslim could conceivably have been behind the atrocity. Oops, gotcha! Al-Qaeda's North African wing claimed responsibility for the cleverly-placed twin car bombs that killed over 30 people, having targeted "the slaves of America and France".
Oh dear, ho-ho, 'tis the season to be jolly.
Labels: Political Realities, Terrorism, World News
posted by Pieface @ Saturday, December 15, 2007
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