Embassy Row

’A FREE LIBYA’

The ambassador who long represented Moammar Gadhafi and strongly defended the Libyan dictator reopened the Libyan Embassy this week as the envoy of the rebel provisional government, proclaiming a new democratic Libya.

“For the first time in 42 years, this embassy represents a free Libya,” Ambassador Ali Suleiman Aujali declared Wednesday, surrounded by cheering Libyan-Americans waving the nation’s old tricolored flag that replaced Col. Gadhafi’s solid green banner.

“This new embassy under the control of the Transitional National Council is committed to serving Libya and advancing their call for freedom and democracy in Libya.”

Mr. Aujali’s diplomatic evolution from envoy for Col. Gadhafi to ambassador for the rebels occurred rapidly. He arrived in Washington in 2004 as head of the Libya Interests Section and was appointed ambassador a year later.

He resigned in February to protest Libya’s crackdown on what began as peaceful demonstrations. Mr. Aujali was reaccredited as the ambassador for the provisional government in August, about a month after President Obama gave diplomatic recognition to the rebel council.

Mr.. Aujali joined the Libyan foreign service in 1971, about two years after Col. Gadhafi overthrew King Idris. He served as Libya’s ambassador to Argentina in 1984 and to Brazil in 1988. He was also the head of the diplomatic mission to Canada in 2001.

At the reopening of the embassy at 2600 Virginia Ave. NW, Mr.. Aujali urged the United States to release about $13 million in the embassy’s bank account and $30 billion in other Libyan assets frozen by U.S. sanctions on Col. Gadhafi.

“I am hopeful that the United States government will soon move forward with releasing the frozen assets in the U.S. that belong to the Libyan people,” he said.

Mr.. Aujali also praised Mr. Obama and Secretary of State Hilllary Rodham Clinton for U.S. support in the air war against Col. Gadhafi and for diplomatic pressure on the regime.

“The Libyan people … will be forever grateful to the United States for coming to their aid in their greatest time of need and for ensuring that the dream for a free Libya was not executed by Gadhafi’s forces,” he said.

The U.S. diplomatic recognition of the rebel government and the reopening of the embassy “send a strong message to the Gadhafi regime,” he added.

“It lacks legitimacy, and its days are numbered.”

’POWER TO CHANGE’

The U.S. ambassador to Nigeria this week urged graduating students at American University to transform the West African nation from a country synonymous with corruption to one that is free and truly democratic.

“Nigeria faces many challenges in the areas of good governance, economic growth, sustainable development, erratic power generation, non-functionary public health and education system from primary school to the university levels,” Ambassador Terence McCulley said.

“But you have the power to change this. Only you and your fellow Nigerians can define what a democratic, prosperous, and healthy Nigeria will look like, and I am convinced that the decisions of today’s youth, your decisions, will determine whether or not Nigeria will address these challenges and set this nation on a new course. You represent the political majority in this country.”

Mr. McCulley noted that Nigeria has a “premier military force” and the “greatest potential” for agricultural development in the region.

“We know that the women of Nigeria are as capable of economic and political success as men in this country. And we know that corruption destroys the nation’s confidence and undermines the very notion of public service,” he said.

Mr. McCulley predicted that Nigeria also will attract billions of dollars in foreign investment as soon as it demonstrates a “solid commitment to the rule of law.”

• Call Embassy Row at 202/636-3297 or email jmorrison@washingtontimes.com. The column is published on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.