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The Alt3 comment on Libya                  February, 2011

This is the official Alt3 comment on the current uprisings in Libya, North Africa and the Middle East.

There may be some people in the world who think what is happening in North Africa and the Middle East does not concern them. How wrong can they be. In a highly interconnected world, through the ripples of consequence what happens in one region will always have an impact in all other regions. Indeed, we should be very concerned.

The world is changing. The pace of change is increasing. These are heady days indeed. We stand at the cross roads that will determine and define the near future. Alt3 are the leading independent experts in understanding the future - and so we know only too well the concept of consequence. And as we stand at the cross roads a specific and chilling phrase comes to mind: in the autumn before the winter comes mans last mad surge of youth.

From all our experience and insight, we sincerely hope this is wrong ... but fear it is correct. You, who are reading this, should also have the same hope and fear. These are heady days indeed. This is something you really need to take notice of.

As the world watches (from the safety of its television screens) in shock and awe at the scenes that have and are - and will - unfold, we see the popular uprisings topple undemocratic regimes in the desperate hope that individuals and societies may free themselves from oppression - and have a valid say in the their own future. In spite of the unhealthy regional mix of religion and politics, in some areas there will germinate freedom, liberty and justice. There is no doubt this has to be fostered and accepted by the international community - for the collective stability and development of the international community as a whole.

However (isn't there always one of these?) not in every area of uprising will we see democracy and relative freedom. In the power vacuum of some areas there will undoubtedly step the extremists whose sole purpose is to commit mass murder and to destroy. This WILL happen. People need direction. In the absence of authority they will be swept along the routes available to them. And in their combination of state and religion ... the preachers of hate will gain considerable traction. This will destabilise the country, the region and very likely, if serious enough, the entire world.

We've seen this before and we will see this again. At all costs, from every reasonable human being, this needs to be avoided.

Libya is a perfect example of what may well go wrong. The longer the conflict, the deeper the divisions (if that is at all possible) and the greater the preachers of hate will scream their abject philosophy of destruction to suit their own power mongering ends. And if there is one thing that will destroy both ancient and new civilisations, it will be the extremist preachers of hate.

The Libyan regime is doomed. There is no doubt. They can struggle and massacre and strive to survive - but their days ARE numbered. This will be by a combination of internal and external pressure. Muammar Al-Gaddafi will be consigned to history along with many, many others. And the longer he denies the inevitable, the greater the impact of extremism. Action and consequence.

Therefore, we at Alt3 want to address this message to his son, Saif al-Islam. Sir, you are obviously an intelligent and well educated man who has been active on the stage of global politics. We've seen your involvement. You know exactly what's going to happen. And yes, we believe your plan of A, B, C. On the present course the outcome will most definitely be one of those options. We know you know Venezuela isn't really an option. After all, who wants to remain at the shaky mercy of even more extremists such as Chevez? His days are also numbered. You of all people know this to be true. I know you've thought about it. And how will you make your mark on history then? I know you've thought about that as well.

I'm here to tell you the options don't have to be A, B, C or Venezuela. There is another way. Think about it. There is still room for negotiation. Negotiate for the future. The more your fathers regime continues, the greater the bloodshed, the greater the bitterness, the greater the resultant extremism, the less chance you will be remembered by history for all the right reasons. Of all the people active in Libya today - you and only you have the ability, intelligence and opportunity to halt the disaster unfolding. Talk to us. Halt the madness spiraling out of control. Halt the massacre at the hands of barely controllable mercenaries. Allow your people, your brothers and sisters to reach for and embrace freedom before the lunatic extremists gain a foothold and for years to come tear Libya and the region apart.

This is one of those moments that change the course of a world.

Be the global statesman you aspire to be.

Things my seem impossible at the moment. Yet this moment will pass. If you make the right choices there will always be a tomorrow when options will be different. They will not be different if you limit yourself to A, B or C. The right choice is for you to halt the escalating turmoil in your own country. Stop the war. Do not hand opportunity to the extremists. Give freedom.  This is what you will be remembered for if you make the right decision. Do not be hampered by the past or by your fathers legacy. Create your own legacy. Create the right development for your people.

Talk to us. We will show you how.

Regards

JS

If you don't understand the risks, how can you prepare? Can you afford to let the issues be blurred?

The turbulent 21st century

life isn't black and white

central@alt3.co.uk