Blix: Iraq war may have triggered Gadhafi deal
 |
Blix said Gadhafi's decision serves as a "signal to the rest of the world."
Story Tools
VIDEO
|
President Bush announces that Libya has agreed to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction.
|
|
(CNN) -- Hans Blix, the former chief U.N. weapons inspector, said Saturday Libya's decision to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction, is "welcome" and surmised the action might have been spurred by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's fear over "what he saw happen in Iraq."
"I think we have to learn what did they (Libya) have. They say that they will adhere to the Non-Proliferation Treaty for nuclear weapons. They are already party to that treaty and they have had inspections for years," said Blix in an interview in Sweden.
Libya took responsibility for the 1988 bombing of PanAm Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, which killed 259 people aboard the plane and 11 on the ground. Sunday is the 15th anniversary of the bombing.
Blix said he "can only speculate but I would imagine that Gadhafi could have been scared by what he saw happen in Iraq," which the United States invaded in part because of its contention that Saddam Hussein regime was harboring weapons of mass destruction.
"While the Americans would have a difficulty in doing the same in Iran and in North Korea as they have done in Iraq, Libya would be more exposed so maybe he will have reasons to be worried."
Blix expects the country "will adhere to the additional protocol on inspections" with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
"Similarly in the field of chemical weapons, we would like to know what they have. They talk about components, maybe they are exaggerating it a bit."
Blix said the move serves as a "signal to the rest of the world." He said Gadhafi was "much more dangerous" 10 to 15 years ago, but "you have to admit he has changed for the better since."
Gadhafi, Blix said, "probably wants to end his day in peace" now that the Lockerbie affair is settled.
