Return to INA TODAY.com  homepage

Libya missile threat to Europe, Israel - North Korea, Iran show how
August 21, 2002

International News Analysis Today Special Report
By Toby Westerman
© 2002 International News Analysis Today
www.inatoday.com

The deputy chairman of North Korea's Politburo, and the second most powerful man in that nation, Kim Yong-Nam, recently paid his respects to Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, and suggested that North Korea and Libya develop an "intensive cooperation in the field of rocketry," according to a respected European news source.

The meeting between Kim and Gaddafi produced "progress" placing "strategic cooperation" between Libya and North Korea "within reach," according to the online version of the respected German news daily, Die Welt.

"Gaddafi is especially interested" in the 800 mile range Nodong missile, according to an unnamed intelligence expert cited by Die Welt. The Nodong, if fired from Libya, would be capable of delivering an atomic, biological or chemical warhead into Israel or the heart of Europe.

In addition to ties with North Korea, Libya is receiving considerable assistance from Iran, one of the "axis of evil" states, as defined by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush.

Die Welt is also reporting that Libyan and Iranian military officials have recently concluded a 13 billion dollar agreement to supply Libya with advanced missile training and technology.

Iran will train three Libyan rocket battalions in the maintenance and use of surface-to-surface Scud B and C missiles, which could carry chemical weapons already developed in Libya, according to Die Welt.

Die Welt based its report on documents it acquired from "Western intelligence sources."

The Iran-Libyan agreement follows upon a decision made in the first weeks of 2002 by the Libyan General Staff to substantially increase the nation's missile capabilities. In April, Libyan officials approached Iran with a request for missile assistance, and by June the two nations had reached an agreement.

Libya has attempted to quietly build up its missile development program while not arousing the concern of Western governments. "Western intelligence circles," however, are worried that Libya's missile program is going well beyond training troops in the use of Soviet-era Scuds, Die Welt stated.

Concern about the future development of Libya's missile program is justified, since Iran, in addition to troop training, is assisting Libya in the development of rocket fuel, as well as "countless [other] military projects," according to Die Welt.

Libya is also seeking assistance from Russia and China for its missile development projects. Since both Moscow and Beijing maintain cordial relations with Tripoli, Libya's requests should find support.

The news of Libya's missile development efforts has appeared as some in the West began to regard Tripoli as distancing itself from international terrorism.

When the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush released its annual report on global terrorism in May, condemning Iran as "the most active state sponsor of terrorism," the report found Libya, along with Sudan, as having "taken measures pointing it in the right direction."

Ironically, while the Bush assessment of Libya and global terrorism was issued, Libya was in the process of talks with Iran on missile technology.

In the first week of August 2002, British Foreign Office Minister Mike O'Brien became the first British minister to visit Libya since 1983. O'Brien declared that "The Libyans recognize their long term interests are in being part of the international community," and that London believes that Libya has not supported terrorism for "some years," according to a BBC report.

"Libya is complying with international law," stated O'Brien, according to the BBC.

The circumstances surrounding Libya's missile development program demonstrate how difficult it is at times to prosecute the war on terror.

Libya misled the international community on the issue of its missile development, while cultivating technical assistance from North Korea, Iran, China, and Russia.

Russia, although one of the leading members of the anti-terror coalition, regards Libya, North Korea, and Iran as close friends, and occasionally acts as their advocate.

Return to INA TODAY.com  homepage