SIRTE, Libya-Nation of Islam leader Louis
Farrakhan and a delegation of Black activists from the United States, including
Native Americans, were among several hundred activists and 11 heads of
state participating in the 3rd Congress of the World Mathaba here Aug.
30-31.
The World Mathaba is a Libyan-based organization
that dedicated itself in the 1980s to supporting liberation movements in
Africa and throughout the world who were attempting to overthrow oppressive
regimes. Oft-times, these revolutionaries were engaged in armed struggle,
causing the West to classify many of them as "terrorists."
Efforts of the organization were hampered
during the last decade when U.N. sanctions were leveled against the Muslim
country.
But today, as noted by host head of state
Col. Muammar Gadhafi, many of the activists "receive red-carpet treatment"
from world leaders because the activists actually are in ruling parties
in their countries--proving the legitimacy of their movements.
The discussion during the conference focused
on how would Mathaba (meaning "center") change in light of a new world
reality where the armed struggle had been won by many of the revolutionary
groups, and globalism has now become the dominant challenge.
"On this historical day and meeting we
should reaffirm our existence, we should extend a hand to peace movements,"
Col. Gadhafi told delegates and heads of state gathered at the opening
plenary of the conference. "Mathaba should impose itself on the world arena,"
and in doing so, Mathaba will be a balance of power to offset the neo-colonialist
efforts of western powers. "We are not terrorists, we are freedom fighters,"
he said.
In his message, Col. Gadhafi called for
the formation of an international bank controlled by Mathaba in order to
offset control of nations by oppressive financial institutions like the
World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He said that Mathaba members should form
regional trade blocs as a hedge against "imperialist-controlled" globalization
and engage in conflict resolution, particularly on the African continent.