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By Michel Deelen.
Tripoli, 5 July 2014:
I came to Libya in September 2012, not knowing what to expect. Sometime before I had . . .[restrict]visited Mali where most government buildings and hotels in the capital were financed with Libyan money. Upon my arrival in Tripoli I realised that Qaddafi had probably invested more outside than inside Libya.
It soon became clear to me that the Libyan revolution of 17 February 2011 was not just an event in history, but a state of mind. That state of mind generated hope and aspirations with the people of good will, but also delirium and boundlessness among certain groups.
The main goals of the Netherlands embassy in Tripoli are the promotion of the bilateral trade between our two countries (whether by Dutch or by Libyan companies) and the political support to the transition process.
Both are challenging, but fortunately I was able to hire excellent collaborators to work with me on these issues. Trade in consumer products like cheese and milk from the Netherlands is going well, but construction, infrastructure and basically everything that requires government funding has come to a standstill as we all have experienced unfortunately.
Nevertheless, we returned with a Dutch pavilion at the Tripoli International Trade Fair this year to promote Dutch companies and universities. Libya is a wealthy country and therefore an interesting market for goods and services.
As far as the support to the transition process was involved, we have offered much training to government employees in the field of justice, financial management, food security and water management; all subjects in which the Netherlands have a longstanding experience.
We also support Libyans who are eager to improve their country; in jargon referred to as non-governmental or community based organisations. One improves ones country by advocating for equality, for participation of women, for accountability, for freedom of speech, for a free and fair elections, for fair trials, for an end to torture. And another thing is the openness of mind, the expression of culture.
A Libyan clergy asked me once why we were not supporting Islamic organisations. I replied to him that all the people we support happen to be Muslims, as is common in Libya. They come to us in the spirit of Islam.
Although I personally had a wonderful time in Libya, because of the great people that I met and the famous hospitality, I cannot be blind for the negative sides of this country. And although I wish to believe that one day people will envy Libyans for living is such a rich and beautiful country, we are not yet there by a long run.
For a long time certain groups have been using the banner of “revolutionaries” to justify their actions, but I think by now the masks have fallen and we should call a spade a spade. If you are killing you are a murderer, if you are stealing you are a thief, if you are a political party you are not supposed to have an armed branch and if you say you want to help Libya and its people you should not be in the business of preventing Libya’s institutions from gaining strength.
Of course the international community had a responsibility. You cannot support a revolution and then walk away. So we did not walk away, but we miscalculated the complexity of the subsequent development in Libya. In the beginning our assistance has been too bureaucratic, but it should be clear to all that we are here to support a Libya that should be free and prosperous and whose people enjoy safety, security, good education and healthcare.
That is the reason why we support the Libyan government’s institutions and not any group, not any party, city or armed fraction, tribe, region of the country or whatever. The international community is not here to be partisan. We are on the side of the people and that puts us opposite of those who are trying to prevent progress or those who are using this country as a playground to fight out their (foreign) feuds.
I am not saying the recent elections are the solution to all our problems, but I visited many polling stations and saw the dedication of the HNEC staff and the determination of the voters not to let this revolution go to waste.
On a personal note apart from the lifelong friends I made here I took up horse-riding again after many years and can only confirm that Libya, with its traditions, is the perfect country to ride. Oh yes indeed, I had a good time and Libya will always remain part of me. Therefore I hope that this country can soon find its way up again.
Michel Deelen said goodbye to Libya and his friends this week after serving as the chargé d’affaires at the Dutch embassy in Tripoli from September 2012. [/restrict]
