From the Bishop Of Tripoli:Military intervention is wrong

By Emanuela Citterio – Afronline
“Why wasn’t the attempt at mediation, which was already underway, pursued? Why wasn’t it continued? Why has Italy joined in with this violence? Why didn’t they wait?”.  Bishop Innocenzo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Tripoli, has more questions than answers these days, he says in this interview with afronline

The intervention is explained as being in defence of the Libyan people being repressed by Gaddafi …

It is true that the Libyan people reacted against Gaddafi, young people in particular have demanded better living conditions and a different future. The situation could have been dealt with had the Libyan authorities shown they were listening and paying attention to these demands rather than reacting with violence. But countries with a more advanced democratic experience could have supported these young people and their demands differently. In reality, I don’t understand either of the sides. I don’t understand why Libya didn’t listen or why Europe chose to intervene so forcefully so quickly.

“I am disconcerted and I can’t see any solutions ahead,” he says on the phone from the Libyan capital, from which he can hear bombs exploding. And which he has no intention of leaving. “Where should I go? This is my church”.

How do you feel?

Deeply saddened. Especially since Italy decided to side with the fighting in Libya. I see it as a betrayal, to the Libyan people as well. Thousands of reasons can be given but I must say that dialogue and mediation, which were already being sought, were not taken into enough consideration. I can vouch for the fact that within Libya some institutions were seeking to negotiate, with Italy as one of the main interlocutors.

There were, therefore, real opportunities for dialogue, alternatives to military intervention?

A few days before the French bombings began I had a positive meeting with the general secretary of the World Islamic Call Society (WICS), an institution sponsored by Libya and which has the mission of promoting Islamic dominance but which is open to dialogue. Contact with them has continued and they have told me that there was talk of mediation involving Italy as well. At one point there was also talk of an important African figure, someone with moral authority who was to take part in these negotiations. But all these attempts were brusquely interrupted.

Why?

I can’t understand it. There were and could have been solutions based around dialogue, despite Gaddafi’s decision to hold on to his position. Military intervention was not the only option. I find it especially hard to understand Italy’s position, which over the years has developed a number of relations with Libya, both diplomatic and commercial: it could have remained this way, Italy could have taken a neutral stance in order to find a means of continuing up this road rather than precipitate a war. Were there perhaps any urgent motives? It is true that a repression was underway. But adding violence to violence isn’t the best way to appease tempers.

Have you been in touch with the rebels in Benghazi?

No. Benghazi is isolated now and we can’t communicate. Not even with the nuns who continue to work in the hospitals and who are witnessing very difficult situations.

What are the most urgent humanitarian needs at present?

We are taking care of immigrant Africans, especially Eritreans as theirs is one of the most difficult situations. We are trying to help them leave, through Tunisia where there are United Nations offices. Italy has already accepted 53 of them.

What will the consequences of this armed intervention be?

The consequences of war are always terrible. There will be deep wounds that will be hard to heal, both within Libyan society and the international community. War will not solve the problem. It can’t bring peace. It is true that dialogue is difficult but it is not impossible to find peace through dialogue.

What is the position of the Catholic church?

The church here in Libya is a small seed in a Muslim context. But everyone knows we want peace, that the Christians who come to church work for peace and for the whole community.

Do you agree with the position expressed in Rome by the Pope and Cardinal Bagnasco?

We would like to accept the Pope’s invitation to pray as it is the only means that can direct us towards reconciliation. The Nuncio has just sent me Benedict XVI’s message, which I now read with you: “The disturbing events have awakened my great concern,” “I guarantee my heartfelt closeness”.