Comments on: Time for colonial masters to pay up?

By: Lore

Lore — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 10:56:44 +0000

What a load of hypocritical hogwash. So the Italians cough up $5 billion (using the US system of numbers (short scale), not the British system (long scale) thus 1 billion is a thousand million), for ‘circumstantial wrong doing’ and the Libyans cough up $2.7 billion for ‘circumstantial wrong doing’ for the Lockerbie victims. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3150793.s tm) That leaves $2.3 billion divided by 5.5 million population (http://www.arab.de/arabinfo/libya.htm) = $4181 per person. This is presumably called ‘Fair-Trade’. The Italians have a reputation of responsible government reminiscent of a firing squad formed in a circle. I suggest any future post-colonial guilt ridden nations take time out to read Clare Short’s letter to Robert Mugabe (Google that for a great laugh), simply put – she said – ‘shove it!’

By: Nduka Tolefe

Nduka Tolefe — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:38:04 +0000

To Andrew Swan, you talk about handouts, what handouts. The Germans and everybody associated with the holocaust rightly paid out compensation to the Jewish community, are you calling that some sort of handout, no its called compensation for crimes against Humanity. Italy paid yesterday and the rest would follow suit even if it takes hundred years. As for handouts Africa don’t need them and with time you shall witness the benefits of a multipolar world, unfair trade practices and unipolarisation of our world are now becoming things of the past.

By: Philip

Philip — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 07:07:37 +0000

Seems to me like no matter how much money is handed over to African countries in compensation for the wrongs of the past it will not make a differece. If you live in Africa like I do you will know that indigenous people feel that injustice is simply neverending and the West must always be made to pay up no and in the future. God!

By: Andrew Swan

Andrew Swan — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:58:57 +0000

I agree with Dr KemetI was and is always heartbroken by the fact that we should find some way to tread on others.I am from Africa and everybody has some economic-racist ax to grind with colonials who are predominantly whiteBut I have observed that people who keep on looking at the past actually walk with their backs to the future. They have no vision nor anticipation of a better life. They lack basic preparedness to address the challenges of the future. They still expect handouts as they are not prepared to turn around and grasp the opportunities that are in the dawn of the future. I just wonder what legacy they will leave their children?It took the colonials decades to teach them the communications of today, the medical, engineering political and economical infrastructures that they so flagrantly use and do not sustain. That was only with partial success. Maybe that efforts should be payment enough. When will these backwards walkers be proud enough to stand on their own merits and stop scheming for handouts and handdowns?

By: Dr. Ausar Kemet

Dr. Ausar Kemet — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:27:40 +0000

Deep contemplation was required,before I could type these few words of comment. When you do a story on reparation, every one who feels slighted,in one way or another,submits a claim.The remedy therefore,is to recognise that we are all the same mixed-up, confused, hurt, red blooded, nomadsacross this planet. There really is no Italian, No British, No American, and No African, Just Us Hue-man Beings across the globe. the worst travesty commited was Religion that seperated peoples.I teach spirituality, the recognition of god-self not Judism,Islamism, or Christianism. Wars have purposely been fought under the false banner of ISM’s . End the ISM’s ; And you have the solutions.Hotep(Peace)Dr. Ausar Kemet

By: Yaseen

Yaseen — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:00:02 +0000

Respect to Italian politicians and decision makers who led to a step like this. I am sure that everyone is looking after themselves, first and foremost, so there are politics and benefits in this whole deal. With that said, it is still very worthwhile to seek mutual benefits by such deals, and publicizing them. They at least help the whole world feel better, give them hope, and make relationships between the very natives of both countries much more amicable. I’d love to see similar initiatives from other countries, especially the UK, France, and the new colonizer: USA.

By: tziri djamel

tziri djamel — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:48:01 +0000

Will France do the same for all those atrocities committed in Algeria and elsewhere?

By: Nduka Tolefe

Nduka Tolefe — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 09:01:24 +0000

Africa should be compensated for slavery, colonialism, cold war and unfair trade policies. Col Muammar Gaddafi must be congratulated for his persistence on this matter and other matters with regards to the treatment of his son by the Swiss authorities. Other African leaders need to take a leaf out his book.

By: B M Walker

B M Walker — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:55:42 +0000

The comments so far seem to be chiefly informed by ignorance – as is the original piece.

By: ad

ad — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:31:52 +0000

Will Britain be required to compensate America?