March 1, 2010 Re: Gaddafi’s threats of “Jihad” against Switzerland Dear Sir/Madam: We have followed the recent developments between Switzerland and the Gaddafi regime, since the arrest of his son Hannibal after abusing two of his house aids. Gaddafi’s latest verbal assault against Switzerland and his declaration of “Jihad” is driven by purely persona, ignorant vendetta rather than any other consideration. Although Gaddafi has attempted to convince his audience (mostly comprised of his security agents, and rent crowds) that his irresponsible threats were consistent with Islamic tradition; however, all those with a semblance of knowledge of Islam and Gaddafi know otherwise. Consider the following facts: • Gaddafi has altered the Islamic Calendar and imposed his own version upon Libya; • Sought to re-write verses of the Koran, and had attempted to replace it altogether by his twisted thoughts in his Green Book; • Spoke in derogatory terms of Prophet Mohammed on numerous occasions. • Frequently derided and belittled renowned Islamic scholars and their ideas; • Ordered the closure of Libyan Mosques on most sacred of Islamic holidays; • Ordered the arrest of many youth when they headed to do their morning prayers at mosques. Although Gaddafi has a long history of irrational and frequently bizarre behavior, several nations were willing to look the other way, and many went as far as appeasing Gaddafi, in their efforts to secure energy resources at favorable rates. One recalls Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister; Silvio Berlusconi, current Italian Prime Minister, had paid him personal visits to his tent to gain his favor. Other politicians, who have not made their rounds to Gaddafi’s tent, were busy whitewashing his bloody past in order to secure lucrative business deals for themselves and their countries. Gaddafi’s latest speech on February 25 in which he called for “Jihad” against Switzerland had puzzled many observers as they were looking for rationale in his declaration. Those who are looking for rationality in Gaddafi’s utterances are akin to those searching for water by chasing a mirage in the barren Sahara desert. Of course, Gaddafi’s ramblings, such as the one exhibited during his recent UN visit was in full view of the international community and media, so what he said during February 25 speech was consistent with his UN speech. One should recall that during his UN speech, he called for dismantling Switzerland. One might ask how the Libyan people would react to Gaddafi’s latest declaration of war on Switzerland. Libyans are the primary victims of Gaddafi’s violence, and have suffered tremendously under his fascist rule. Gaddafi has waged many unjustifiable wars in their name; massacred 1200 political detainees at Abuslim Prison; shot down a Libyan airliner over Tripoli airport, killing all its passengers. Libyans despise Gaddafi, and all those who stand by him for their own selfish interests; and applaud those who stand by their principles and ideals. Libyans laud Switzerland’s principled stand, and look for the day when their nightmare of 40 years (Gaddafi’s rule) ends. Sincerely, Your name الموقع الرسمس للسلطات الفيدرالية السويسرية http://www.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en Contacts: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) Bundeshaus West CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 21 11 Fax +41 (0)31 323 40 01 E-Mail info@eda.admin.ch State Secretariat Bundeshaus West CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 30 24 Fax +41 (0)31 322 49 69 E-Mail sts@eda.admin.ch General Secretariat Bundeshaus West CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 30 03 Fax +41 (0)31 322 59 94 E-Mail generalsekretaer@eda.admin.ch Political Affairs Secretariat Bernastrasse 28 CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 323 58 00 Fax +41 (0)31 324 38 39 E-Mail polsek@eda.admin.ch Directorate of Political Affairs Bundeshaus West CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 35 77 Fax +41 (0)3 323 59 88 E-Mail pd@eda.admin.ch Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Freiburgstrasse 130, 3003 Berne Tel. +41 31 322 34 75 Fax +41 31 324 16 94 E-mail info@deza.admin.ch Further information Political Affairs Division I Europe, Council of Europe, OSCE Bundeshaus West CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 36 12 Fax +41 (0)31 324 95 55 E-Mail pa1@eda.admin.ch Political Affairs Division II Africa/Middle East Bundeshaus West CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 35 13 Fax +41 (0)31 324 34 81 E-Mail pa2-afrika-naher-osten@eda.admin.ch Political Affairs Division II Asia/Pacific Bundeshaus West CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 36 94 Fax +41 (0)31 325 18 82 E-Mail pa2-asien-ozeanien@eda.admin.ch Political Affairs Division II The Americas Bundeshaus West CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 31 84 Fax +41 (0)31 322 30 45 E-Mail pa2-amerika@eda.admin.ch Political Affairs Division III United Nations and other International Organizations Bundesgasse 28 CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 323 23 46 Fax +41 (0)31 323 30 45 E-Mail pa3@eda.admin.ch Political Affairs Division IV Human Security Bundesgasse 32 CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 30 50 Fax +41 (0)31 323 89 22 E-Mail pa4@eda.admin.ch Political Affairs Division V Coordination of Sectorial Policies Bundesgasse 28 CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 30 19 Fax +41 (0)31 324 90 72 E-Mail pa5@eda.admin.ch Political Affairs Division VI Swiss Citizens Abroad Bundesgasse 32 CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 324 98 08 Fax +41 (0)31 322 78 66 E-Mail pa6@eda.admin.ch < href="mailto:pa6-krisenmanagement@eda.admin.ch"> Directorate of Public International Law Bundeshaus Nord CH-3003 Bern Tel. +41 (0)31 322 30 82 Fax +41 (0)31 324 90 73 E-Mail dv@eda.admin.ch