NationStates Jolt Archive

Libya 'halts Swiss oil shipments'

Libya's state shipping company says it has halted oil shipments to Switzerland in protest at the brief arrest of leader Muammar Gaddafi's youngest son.

It threatened further action if the Swiss did not apologise for the arrest.

Geneva police held Hannibal Gaddafi for two days after he and his pregnant wife allegedly hit two of their staff.

The couple face charges of bodily harm, threatening behaviour and coercion. They have denied any wrongdoing over the alleged incident on 15 July.

Costly row?

The stopping of oil shipments comes a day after the Swiss foreign ministry complained of Libya taking "retaliatory measures", such as forcing Swiss firms to close Libyan offices.

Libya's General National Maritime Transport Company - which has links to Hannibal Gaddafi - said in a statement that it had halted all oil shipments to Switzerland. In a joint statement with the national port authority, the company also said ships sailing under the Swiss flag had been banned from entering Libyan ports.

It is a row that could prove costly to both countries, says the BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Geneva.

Switzerland imports at least half its crude oil from Libya but Libya owns a large oil refinery in Switzerland.

Libya's influential people's committees have also called for Libya to withdraw its deposits from Swiss banks if an apology for the arrest is not forthcoming.

'Worrying measures'

The Swiss foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Libya had "taken a number of worrying retaliatory measures" for Mr Gaddafi's arrest since he was released on bail on 17 July.

It said Swiss companies ABB and Nestle had been ordered to close their Libya offices and that Swiss staff there had been arrested.

Flights between Libya and Switzerland had been reduced, Libya had stopped issuing visas to Swiss citizens and Tripoli had recalled some of its diplomats from Bern, the Swiss foreign ministry said.

The ministry also said it had sent a delegation to Libya to explain Mr Gaddafi's arrest. It has advised Swiss citizens not to travel to Libya until further notice.

It has been further reported that the Swiss navy has stepped up patrols well within Libyan territorial waters and has begun actively harassing the regions shipping though Libyan officials remain silent on the issue.

It is not Hannibal Gaddafi's first brush with the law. In 2005 he was convicted by a court in France of assaulting his girlfriend.

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7523537.stm)

so thoughts? about 5 vague posts of which 2 will be libertarian ranting before this thread dies?

I myself think Libya will back down on this once the inevitable E.U reply comes forward and a travel ban can be made on Hannibal

Hannibal Gaddafi is maybe the most bad-assed name ever.

Hannibal Gaddafi is maybe the most bad-assed name ever.

sadly he is not a boxer :(

The heck? Libya is stopping oil shipments because somebody from THEIR country broke a law, and is currently awaiting trial?

I can't WAIT to see the reaction of this.
/Libertarian rant over

sadly he is not a boxer :(
I dunno, obviously he can punch his girlfriend, why not other men?

His name would be 50 times cooler if it was Hannibal Badassi, but yeah, Libya sucks.

The heck? Libya is stopping oil shipments because somebody from THEIR country broke a law, and is currently awaiting trial?

its Libya and a Gaddafi

I dunno, obviously he can punch his girlfriend, why not other men?

don't be silly, clearly he forms a tag team with his pregnant wife and takes on the Swiss Wrestling Federation

don't be silly, clearly he forms a tag team with his pregnant wife and takes on the Swiss Wrestling Federation
Nice :D

yea... thats pretty retarded, but I guess that is what happens when you arrest a sitting head of state's family (when its a shit hole country).

yea... thats pretty retarded, but I guess that is what happens when you arrest a sitting head of state's family (when its a shit hole country).

are you daring Switzerland to arrest Jeb Bush?

eventually EU will step up and say something to Libya like 'if you don't stop these actions,it could go very badly for you'

Swiss navyWTF?
Switzerland has a navy? Where do they have a port? They're landlocked for goodness sake.

eventually EU will step up and say something to Libya like 'if you don't stop these actions,it could go very badly for you'Switzerland isn't part of the EU, so I don't see why the EU would do anything other than mediate things (as they are prone to do whether it's their business or not).

Switzerland isn't part of the EU, so I don't see why the EU would do anything other than mediate things (as they are prone to do whether it's their business or not).

oh,sorry.didn't know that(gotta stop saying random stuff..or not)well,but if Libya attacks Switzerland the swiss have good defences and have forts up in the mountains.they can hold out there

eventually EU will step up and say something to Libya like 'if you don't stop these actions,it could go very badly for you'

why bother when we can just get the Union for the Mediterranean involved and scare Gaddafi shirtless :)

Switzerland isn't part of the EU, so I don't see why the EU would do anything other than mediate things (as they are prone to do whether it's their business or not).

Switzerland is one of our bitches and so it in our best interest to keep their economy afloat

WTF?
Switzerland has a navy? Where do they have a port? They're landlocked for goodness sake.

they pay an annual fee to the Italian government for the use of Sicilian ports iirc they also have a deal with Malta though I think Libya is pressuring for a cancellation of that contract

well,but if Libya attacks Switzerland the swiss have good defences and have forts up in the mountains.they can hold out thereI can't really see how Libya would even get to Switzerland, I doubt the surrounding countries would let them.

they pay an annual fee to the Italian government for the use of Sicilian ports iirc they also have a deal with Malta they I think Libya is pressuring for a cancellation of that contractSounds like a bad idea, if the Swiss navy doesn't have a port to go to any more, then they have little else to do than conquer one of Libya's.
Maybe the Swiss should aim one of their huge particle accelerators at Libya, collide some hadrons and stuff ;)

WTF?
Switzerland has a navy? Where do they have a port? They're landlocked for goodness sake.
It's got lakes and rivers and such pish.

IIRC they've got a couple of boats in Lake Geneva and Lake Garda amongst other places.

In a joint statement with the national port authority, the company also said ships sailing under the Swiss flag had been banned from entering Libyan ports.

What, all 26 of them (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchant_Marine_of_Switzerland)? Yeah, you show them who's boss, Libya!

It has been further reported that the Swiss navy has stepped up patrols well within Libyan territorial waters and has begun actively harassing the regions shipping though Libyan officials remain silent on the issue.

You wrote that part yourself, didn't you?

Switzerland is one of our bitches and so it in our best interest to keep their economy afloat I suppose.
And once they realize that resistance is futile, they will be assimilated. *nods*

Sounds like a bad idea, if the Swiss navy doesn't have a port to go to any more, then they have little else to do than conquer one of Libya's.

well its not the only place the Swiss operate really, they managed to set up a system of ports to protect their international shipping even during WWI

You wrote that part yourself, didn't you?

shhh :D

My money's on Switzerland.

http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=94133&rendTypeId=4

Who would dare mess with such a slick uniform?

You wrote that part yourself, didn't you?shhh :D
That what they want you to think.

Isn't Switzerland one of the wealthiest and most energy efficient countries on Earth? I think they're in the clear.

Isn't Switzerland one of the wealthiest and most energy efficient countries on Earth?
In terms of electricity generation, yes, in terms of their cars, not really.
I think they can handle it, unless perhaps Libya sends Hannibal with his elephants to pay a visit.
That would be classic.

"...if Libya attacks Switzerland" the craziest thing I have ever read will have preempted the craziest thing that has ever happened.

You really don't want to tangle with the Swiss Army... I've got a corkscrew here, and I'm not afraid to use it!

Don't mess with Switzerland...They'll fuck your clocks up.

"...if Libya attacks Switzerland" the craziest thing I have ever read will have preempted the craziest thing that has ever happened.
Eh it's happened before in history, involving a different Hannibal :p

Switzerland is one of our bitches and so it in our best interest to keep their economy afloat
Really? Really? Last time I checked Switzerland was ranked better than the EU average at, well, almost everything...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Quality-of-life_2005.svg/800px-Quality-of-life_2005.svg.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quality_of_life_index#The_Economist_Intelligence_Unit.E2.80.99s_quality-of-life_index.2C_2005

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/World_Map_Index_of_perception_of_corruption.png/450px-World_Map_Index_of_perception_of_corruption.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:World_Map_Index_of_perception_of_corruption.png

http://neweconomist.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/11/01/wef_competitiveness.gif
Worldwide press freedom index
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0b/Reporters_Without_Borders_2007_Press_Freedom_Rankings_Map.png/800px-Reporters_Without_Borders_2007_Press_Freedom_Rankings_Map.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_the_press

I could go on and on...

plus gun rights, decriminalized weed, a perfect mix of a capitalist culture with a conservationist attitude towards envoirnment, heavy tourism, international banking, security, saftey....and farrrrrr less corruption than the EU.

So how exactly is Switzerland the EU's bitch?

I suppose.

And once they realize that resistance is futile, they will be assimilated. *nods*
It's funny...because to be assimilated, it should be a stronger, better more powerful force doing the assimilating...thus, if we are to go by this, Switzerland should be assimilating the EU....

It's funny...because to be assimilated, it should be a stronger, better more powerful force doing the assimilating...thus, if we are to go by this, Switzerland should be assimilating the EU....Are you seriously suggesting Switzerland is militarily and/or economically stronger than all EU states put together? Britain alone could knock their lights out. Heck, I'm not sure the Dutch couldn't either.

Are you seriously suggesting Switzerland is militarily and/or economically stronger than all EU states put together? Britain alone could knock their lights out. Heck, I'm not sure the Dutch couldn't either.

No. I'm suggesting that as a nation-state, Switzerland's situation is unique and whether it's being ranked on corruption, economic freedom, competitivness, enviornmentalism, security, saftey health and happiness, Switzerland constantly ranks around the top and above the EU average. Thus, it wouldn't make sense for Switzerland to be assimilated, as the Swiss situation/lifestyle/culture/economy/ect is more advanced and better than the EU, on average.

There is no reason for countries like Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, which are all loads better than EU countries, to join the EU/be assimilated by the EU. That is my point.

SNIP

I'm sorry I can't hear you over the fact that your completely surrounded on all sides by us and your foreign policy is basically what ever we tell you it is :p

also please tuck away your feeling for the Swiss before you catch a cold (I mean dragging this thread up jeez)

No. I'm suggesting that as a nation-state, Switzerland's situation is unique and whether it's being ranked on corruption, economic freedom, competitivness, enviornmentalism, security, saftey health and happiness, Switzerland constantly ranks around the top and above the EU average. Thus, it wouldn't make sense for Switzerland to be assimilated, as the Swiss situation/lifestyle/culture/economy/ect is more advanced and better than the EU, on average.

There is no reason for countries like Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, which are all loads better than EU countries, to join the EU/be assimilated by the EU. That is my point.

That assumes that the EU membership brings countries all towards the mean, which is a fairly large assumption. Particularly since the stats will no doubt have recently dropped for the EU due to the influx of new less developed countries.

I'm sorry I can't hear you over the fact that your completely surrounded on all sides by us and your foreign policy is basically what ever we tell you it is :p

also please tuck away your feeling for the Swiss before you catch a cold (I mean dragging this thread up jeez)

Jealousy, of course. *Laughs at the UK, a EU member*

*Laughs at the UK, a EU member*

Okay then.....

Didn't Libya's military get it's collective ass kicked by a bunch of rebels with Toyota pick ups?

Okay then.....

Did you get that because I'm confused? :confused:

Did you get that because I'm confused? :confused:

Haven't the foggiest.

I'm hoping he'll be back on to explain why he would try to confuse practically everyone on here.

Haven't the foggiest.

I'm hoping he'll be back on to explain why he would try to confuse practically everyone on here.

Excellent. I didn't want to ask when I first read it in case it was blindingly obvious and I was just being a 'tard.

I'm sorry I can't hear you over the fact that your completely surrounded on all sides by us and your foreign policy is basically what ever we tell you it is :p

also please tuck away your feeling for the Swiss before you catch a cold (I mean dragging this thread up jeez)

Yeah you can boss them around to an extent, but there's a reason that the Swiss haven't been invaded in quite awhile. Even Hitler knew better than to try that.

Haven't the foggiest.

I'm hoping he'll be back on to explain why he would try to confuse practically everyone on here.

Excellent. I didn't want to ask when I first read it in case it was blindingly obvious and I was just being a 'tard.

1. Confusion is my thing.
HOWEVER:
2. It was the whole part about Switzerland being superior to the EU, and how CTP lives in the UK...

2. It was the whole part about Switzerland being superior to the EU, and how CTP lives in the UK...

Well that makes some sense in the context of your comment alright.

Although I do love the way people think have the mindset that one country is 'superior' over another (or 27 in this case)

You know who else thought their country was 'superior'? (I had to say it)

Yeah you can boss them around to an extent, but there's a reason that the Swiss haven't been invaded in quite awhile. Even Hitler knew better than to try that.
No one's invaded Switzerland because no one in their right mind would want to rule a bunch of Swiss lunatics, with their universal military service and counterfeit German.

No one's invaded Switzerland because no one in their right mind would want to rule a bunch of Swiss lunatics, with their universal military service and counterfeit German.

That the entire country is practically one big ass fort.

No one's invaded Switzerland because no one in their right mind would want to rule a bunch of Swiss lunatics, with their universal military service and counterfeit German.
:p:fluffle::D
That assumes that the EU membership brings countries all towards the mean, which is a fairly large assumption. Particularly since the stats will no doubt have recently dropped for the EU due to the influx of new less developed countries.
Ok. Let's put it this way. Switzerland outranks the EU's top countries, France, Germany, Italy, Uk and Spain on those issues covered above.
I'm sorry I can't hear you over the fact that your completely surrounded on all sides by us and your foreign policy is basically what ever we tell you it is :p
Swiss foreign policy is neutrality, and that's one of the reasons Switzerland doesn't want to join the European Fool-ion, to compromise that.

Swiss foreign policy is neutrality, and that's one of the reasons Switzerland doesn't want to join the European Fool-ion, to compromise that.

Yeah well neutrality and apathy are old fashioned and can be considered problematic.

Ok. Let's put it this way. Switzerland outranks the EU's top countries, France, Germany, Italy, Uk and Spain on those issues covered above.
But not in others, so your example of 'outranks' is useless.

Swiss foreign policy is neutrality, and that's one of the reasons Switzerland doesn't want to join the European Fool-ion, to compromise that.
Doesn't stop Ireland, Austria, Finland or Sweden from being members.

Well, the oil is flowing again and two Swiss people working down there have been released from arrest (apparently they suddenly found out something was not right about their documents. Suuuure...). They are not allowed to leave the country, though, until Switzerland apologizes for their, uh, mistreatment of Hanny.