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The 'Cynical Covenant' of Farrakhan and Qaddafi By Abraham EL Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamatioa League Last October,, while LOUIB Farrakhan was bask- alliance with Colonel Qaddafi should serve as a ing in the aflerglow of the successful Million Man wake-up call. His behavior in Libya fits a pattern that too JUarch on Washington, the Nation of Islam leader announced he would be "keeping the momentum lof many Americans — black and white — have the march) alive" by encouraging blacks across the ignored for too long. Louis Farrakhan's black sepacountry to become politically active. His plans were ratist philosophy has always run counter to the welcomed by mainstream leaders and organiza- American vision of equality for all citizens. His tions, and praised as a positive departure from unabashed displays of friendship toward one of the NOI's long-held tradition of shunning the American world's bloodiest terrorists suggest a troubling compolitical scene. Now it turns out that this seeming- placency toward violence and extremism. In preparation for the Million Man March, ly legitimate political goal is fundamentally tainted that Minister Farrakhan will work toward Minister Farrakhan drummed up support by recitachieving black political influence in partnership ing words of conciliation. He appeared to moderate with the anti-American Libyan strongman. his often-harsh rhetoric with appeals to black community responsibility, reconciliation and atoneMuaminar QaddaH. On Jan. 23, Minister Farrakhan and Colonel ment. Such statements enabled him to curry favor with Qaddafi reached an agreement to launch a campaign to exert black and Muslim influence in the the mainstream; they encouraged congressmen and upcoming U.S. elections can only be viewed as a leading civil rights figures to pay homage to cynical covenant between two haters. With the Minister Farrakhan in speeches at the march. But Louis Farrakhan has the last laugh now. Nation of Islam leading the effort, Colonel Qaddafi said that blacks, Arabs, Muslims and native Respectable black leaders have proven willing to Americans will exercise their political muscle "and take a seat at Minister Farrakhan's meeting table, enter the election period as a card stronger than most recently at the November 1995 African the Jewish card in the elections campaign." Colonel American Leadership Summit. Nevertheless, it seems that Minister Farrakhan Qaddafi had already agreed to bankroll the effort: in September he promised to spend up to $1 billion is only too happy to stride both sides of the fence. He welcomes, even craves, mainstream support, io launch a Muslim lobby in America. Until now, Colonel Qaddafi announced, "Our con- but at the same time forges links to terrorists and frontation with America was like a fight against a extremists. In fact, Libya is not his only outlaw friend in the fortress from outside." After speaking with Minister Farrakhan, however, "we found a breach Middle East. Minister Farrakhan has also cultivatto enter into this fortress and confi-ont it." Colonel ed ties to the Sudan, an Islamic fundamentaUst Qaddafi promised that as it battles America from state notorious for harboring accused terrorists, the inside, the NOI will eventually fulfill one of its and also reportedly responsible for enslaving black fondest dreams: establishing a black state within African Christians. His current tour included a corAmerica's borders. Ever the military man, the dial visit with the corrupt military dictator General Libyan leader also predicted that this new state Sani Abacha of Nigeria. Louis Farrakhan has long poisoned public diswill boast the'biggest black army on the planet.' Minister Farrakhan, "happy with the results" of course with malicious words of racism and antiliis meeting with Muammar Qaddafi, has now pub- Semitism. But recently, many Americans have licly forged an alliance with an unrepentant inter- begun to overlook the rhetoric. Minister national bully and an eitemy of the United States Farrakhan's hate speech, they seem to be saying, is For years, Libya has sponsored numerous brutal old news. They believe he has progressed beyond the scapegoating, beyond the divisiveness and has acts of anti-American arid anti-Israeli terror. Despite United Nations sanctions placed on his settled into the mainstream. Minister Farrakhan's eagerness to cut a deal country four years ago, Colonel Qaddafi refuses to hand over for trial two Libyan suspects in the with one of the world's most violent leaders, should bombing of a Pan Am 103 that killed 270 people. A cause these Americans to think again. fierce opponent of the Israeli-Palestinian peace accords, Colonel Qaddafi has urged Arab countries to expel all Palestinian refugees and workers from their lands as a way of embarrassing the peacemakers; in September he followed his own advice and began to expel hundreds of Palestinian workAs part of the salute to Jerusalem 3000, the ers from his country's borders. This is by no means Minister Farrakhan's first Jewish Cultural Arts Council will present the encounter with the radical Libyan leader. In 1985, Broadway musical, "Shepherd!," a one-man musiColonel Qaddafi granted the Nation of Islam a $5 cal presentation of King David by songwriter and inillion interest-free loan, which Minister composer George Fischoff, Feb. 25 at 2:30 p.m. at Farrakhan said he used to launch his group's the Jewish Community Center Theatre. POWER personal products line. Months later, In the course of his performanbe, FischofT embodLouis Farrakhan visited Libya to thank his beneies the personalities in King David's life: his friend factor personally. The Nation of Islam leader and his heutenants Jonathan, father Jesse, King Saul, Nathan the have travelled on other occasions to Tripoli for prophet, army commander Jaab and his lover imeetings with the Libyan dictator. One such gath- Bathsheba. George FiMhofT has performed in churches, synaering attended by Minister Farrakhan — in violation of a travel ban imposed on Americana by gogues, Jewish Community Centers and in the President Reagan — offered training seminara on Ohio Passion Play. Weapons and explosives. Tickets can b« purchased at the member services Minister Farrakhan has called Colonel Qaddafi desk of the Jewish Community Center or at the 'a fellow struggler in the cause of liberation for our Theatre on the day of the show. Tickets are $7; $5 people," and his organization's tabloid, The Final for seniors and atudenta. Call, has hailed the Libyan leader as the "TRUE "Shepherd!" is underwritten by a grant from the HERO of liberation struggle." Nebraska Arts Council. To all who believe that the Million Man March
Planning begins for Federation
By Barbara Chandler Federation commiuiicationB director The Federation's Strategic Planning Committee is beginning work on solutions for closing the distance that exists between the vision and where the community is today. Two of the six planning sub-committees have begun meeting—Kivoonim, Communal Directions chaired by Marty Shukert, and Mishpacha, The Federation Family chaired by Steve Nogg. Two more sub-committees, K'hilah, Federation and Community chaired by Joel Alperson, and Mekorot, Financial Resource Development chaired by Fred Simon, will meet in the spring. Then in early summer, the subcommittees for Anashim, Human Resource Development chaired by Margo Riekes, and Yisrael, Israel chaired by Jan Schneiderman, will begin meeting. Members of the sub-committees will include those on the Strategic Planning Committee plus a number of individuals from the Jewish community at large. The sub-committees will be charged with the responsibility for coming back to the Strategic Planning Committee and the Federation Board of Directors with their proposals for change. Lori Rabb, Federation assistant director, said that the subcommittee meetings have been staggered over the next few months to allow each subcommittee to focus on its particular area. "This also allows for adequate input from the agencies, synagogues and interested community members," she explained, "This involvement is critical to the planning committee being able to produce a quality product." Anyone with questions or comments is encouraged to leave them in the suggestion boxes located on the main desk and member services desk at the JCC, or call the Federation Hotline at 334-6400.
UJA/Federation Campaign Update
Celebrate Jerusalem 3000 with musical 'Shepherd!'
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