World Watch
April 6, 2011 3:29 PM

Weldon: I'm not in Libya to undermine Obama

By
Ben Plesser
Topics

Former congressman Curt Weldon is expected to meet with Muammar Qaddafi in Libya sometime this week, and says he plans to ask the embattled leader to step aside.

Weldon was part of a congressional delegation to Libya in 2004 and has visited the country several times. His current visit is a private mission at the invitation of the Qaddafi government, but with the knowledge of the White House and members of congress, Weldon told CBS News producer Ben Plesser and a reporter from the Wall Street Journal.

Sitting in the lobby of his hotel in Tripoli Wednesday, the former congressman seemed aware of the fact that his visit to Libya, and his meeting with Muammar Qaddafi would draw criticism back home.

"I'm not here to argue about whether I'm allowed to be here," Weldon said. "I'm not doing anything illegal. No one's paying me to be here. I'm here because I want to do something positive. And I want to help my government get out of what is a very difficult situation. I'm not here to undermine Barack Obama."

Weldon emphasized that his visit was a personal one, saying: "I'm not here on behalf of our country. Only the Secretary of State can do that. I'm a Republican, but I have respect for Hilary Clinton. I'm here to set forward ideas that hopefully would allow them to come together on a legitimate, immediate plan to cease the bombing on both sides."

Complete coverage: Anger in the Arab World

Weldon, who has very close ties with the Qaddafi family, says that he was invited by the Libyans.

"I know Libya, and I know the people here," Weldon said. "I know the leader and the leader trusts me. He wouldn't have had his Chief of Staff reach out to me and invite me here if he didn't trust me"

Since arriving in Tripoli last night, Weldon has had two meetings with Al-Saadi, Qaddafi's third son who has been working in recent years to draw foreign investors to Libya. Weldon was originally expecting to meet with Qaddafi himself today, but their meeting has been delayed. Weldon says the message to him will be very clear: he has to step aside. Weldon floated the idea that, to save face, Qaddafi could take a ceremonial role at the head of the African Union.

Weldon also argued that Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi, the son who has become the regime's most vocal defender, should not be excluded from the future leadership of his country. "I don't think Saif should be excluded from running for office in a new government where there are free and fair elections," he said, and suggested that, under his proposal, the elections should take place in a year's time.

In a New York Times op-ed Wednesday, Weldon wrote: "The younger Mr. Qaddafi, who has made belligerent comments about the rebels, has his detractors," Weldon wrote. "But he also pushed his government to accept responsibility for the bombings of a Pan Am flight over Scotland and a disco in Germany, and to provide compensation for victims' families."

Weldon also said in the op-ed that engaging with Qaddafi remains important because "it will be very hard to simply bomb him into submission."

Weldon, a republican from Pennsylvania, served in the House from 1997-2007.


The Associated Press contributed some information to this post.


Add a Comment See all 31 Comments
by RenaeMe1972 April 7, 2011 10:19 AM EDT
He says it's a personal trip, but I'd be curious to see who pays the bill for his little journey...
Reply to this comment
by rightbehind April 7, 2011 1:02 AM EDT
He's over there looking to see if he can turn this into a quagmire.
Reply to this comment
by Lawyers-Guns-n-Money06 April 7, 2011 8:25 AM EDT
giggity
by bobsam55 April 6, 2011 10:38 PM EDT
I'm sure that this tub of lard is going to Libya with only the best intentions. When he was a politician he was a dirtbag and it seems he hasn't changed.
Reply to this comment
by retiredgustav April 6, 2011 11:32 PM EDT
Is he over there trying to sell him weapons?
by rwsmith29456 April 6, 2011 10:06 PM EDT
I wonder if Qaddafi would agree to make some sweeping reforms himself? It's probably too late for that, the world has a bead on him.
Reply to this comment
by knewsreply April 6, 2011 9:35 PM EDT
Weldon, we know you're "not in Libya to undermine Obama." You are in Libya because you like to talk with mass murders or you are in Libya, because you want to write a book on Criminal Minds. Either reason give the American public reasons to watch your actions when you return with concern.
Reply to this comment
by AlFranken April 6, 2011 8:50 PM EDT
If Weldon wants help then he should digest a "tracer" that paints a target for our missile that he will signal when he is in the presence of Gadaffi:

This "electronic device" surgically attached to his intestine will switch on when he takes a Rolaid or Tums. These anti acids work almost immediately within 5 minutes after taking one, our satellite will pick up the signal and start the guidance program for the surface to surface missile of the U.S.S Barry that is just a hundred miles from Tripoli.

This means Weldon will be hit as well --- he will have to sacrifice himself in an honorable way.

Ah but Weldon has different ideas I'm sure and they don't include sacrificing himself for our nation -- don't forget GOPer's gladly sacrifice other Americans for their needs. As long as it isn't one of their own son's or daughters or themselves.
Reply to this comment
by stevex47 April 6, 2011 8:35 PM EDT
Oh, and let's not forget reagan funneling weapons to the Iranians.

That's republicans for you.
Reply to this comment
by stevex47 April 6, 2011 8:31 PM EDT
Wasn't boosh real good pals with someone? Oh, ya, the bin Ladens.
Republicans roll with some cool terrorists don't they?

How hypocritical. Typical.
Reply to this comment
by lloydbest1 April 6, 2011 8:17 PM EDT
The mere fact that he has said, on his own volition, that he's not there to undemine Obama tells me that his intention is to do exactly that.

Lady MacBeth wasn't the only one who "doth protest too much".
Reply to this comment
by AlFranken April 6, 2011 8:09 PM EDT
Here's the deal: "Gadaffi, hang in there till after the presidential election, --- we (The GOP mobsters) will give you any support we can possibly give you to undermine the French and the Brits that could slip under their radar. We have a lot of influence with some inner circles of the CIA that have already infiltrated the ranks of the rebels."

"We still have many contacts with Al Qaeda from back in the days when we were supplying surface to air missiles to shoot down the Russians over Afghanistan. We can use this influence to suggest that Obama has reneged on his promise thus causing more distrust within the Muslim world and with his own supporters back home -- we can help you undermine him --- we have this in common with you Mr. Gadaffi"

"We can help you defeat Obama if you help us get a Republican in office. Then we can both benefit with the oil Libya has --- if you know what I mean my friend :)" ---- Weldon
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