Gaddafi Says U.S. Anthrax 'Worst Form of Terrorism'

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Story Filed: Thursday, October 18, 2001 1:20 PM EST

TUNIS (Reuters) - Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi condemned the use of anthrax in the United States on Thursday as ``the worst form of terrorism'' and called for international action to tackle the ``very dangerous'' situation.

``We are facing genuine terrorism this time, the worst form of terrorism, because this weapon is the worst weapon of mass destruction,'' he said in a statement received in Tunis.

``I cannot imagine that humans can use germs against other humans, whatever the degree of animosity between them,'' he said. ``It is a cowardly, evil and irresponsible action putting in danger the whole of humanity.''

Anthrax scares spread across the world on Thursday, and the first case of attempted contamination by the potentially deadly bacteria outside the United States was reported in Kenya.

Concern rose dramatically after 31 U.S. congressional staffers tested positive for exposure to anthrax. Five other people in the United States have been infected or contaminated and one has died.

Gaddafi, who has often assailed the United States for its policies in the Middle East and elsewhere, urged world leaders to put aside their differences and come together to ``pay whatever the price needed to stop the danger.''

``The situation warrants an international conference to express the conscience and the wisdom of the world... All rifts and animosities must be put aside to face this sheer danger,'' Gaddafi said.

Washington suspects, but has no firm evidence, that the anthrax scare is linked to Osama bin Laden, its chief suspect for the September 11 suicide attacks on the United States, which killed around 5,400 people.

Gaddafi has said Washington has the right to seek revenge for the September 11 attacks and offered his condolences for the victims.

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi condemned the use of anthrax in the United States on October 18, 2001 and called for international action to address the problem, he said in a statement received in Tunis.

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Copyright © 2001 Reuters Limited.

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), October 18, 2001

Answers

When you consider the source, this is a remarkable statement coming from the lips of Crazy Gaddafi.

-- Nancy& (nancy&@hotmail.com), October 18, 2001.

This comes as a big surprise to me, too.

-- Big Cheese (bigcheese@multimax.net), October 18, 2001.

He just wants to save his ass. We haven't forgotten about him.

-- jimmie-the-weed (thinkasur@aol.com), October 19, 2001.