Implications for International Relations Theory

Abstract

Two days after the signing of the August 2008 agreement that supposedly marked the end of the four-decade-long dispute over the colonial past, Qaddafi made his annual speech to celebrate the twenty-ninth anniversary of the revolution. On this occasion he did not conceal the tensions that had bedevilled bilateral relations.

Of course, Italy and Libya need each other; at least, Italy needs Libya. As you know, Libyan gas is exported to Italy, and Libyan oil is exported to Italy and other European countries through submarine pipes connecting Libya and Italy. Italy has big interests in Libya. It we go back to boycott, the matter would be disaster for Italy; we have threatened with this. We told them: if this chapter [the colonial one] is not closed, we will bring relations to zero. (Al Qaddafi, 2 September 2008)