But the media thing goes both ways, and I’m sure ‘Tele Libya’ or ‘The Tripoli Daily News’ or whatever they call themselves, have thair own set of statistics and government claims. We can only speculate ref the percentage of Libyans that have access to any other media, I would be genuinely interested to know. I totally appreciate the fact that you have been there, and yes of course you can only base your opinion on talking to the locals, I am not disputing that for a moment. Back in the mid 80’s, I attended the training ‘schools’ of two east european airlines, with a view to being trained in the load control and handling of the types operated by them, and then instructing our staff back home. Obviously, there was time for socialising, and at each of the airlines, the instructors and fellow trainees were great guys, and a few good nights out were had. I can only remember one guy in Berlin who ever mentioned anything to do with politics, the subject was avoided like the plague by the others. Were the instructors part of the ‘Party faithful”? you bet, and I’m sure that you will have dealt with, and been monitored by, cadres of the Jamahiriya many times during your visit(s). And I have no doubt, that the StB and MfS monitored mine. It is the nature of the beast.

There was only one Hotel with Internet, “The International” in Tripoli. So it was obviously net-bugged. Who wouldn’t!
We used Sat. phones for anything other than works trivia, which we used Email for.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for total Western command of the Middle East but I still think the protestors in Libya are in the minority, and again, much as I approve of the use of Military Force whenever possible (I need the sales!), I think this time, just because Res. 1973 has been passed, we’ve gone in too quick without the full story. In Iraq and Afghan, we didn’t go in quick enough or hard enough, so my opinion in this case is sort of the opposite of my usual.
And, I have no pals or peers over there, couldn’t care less about the people I dealt with.

Apart from the past fortnight of shelling, is there actually any evidence of the Col. brutalising the people?