Libyan Dictator Khadafi Staying in NJ During UN General Assembly Meeting?

The rumor that Mumar Khadafi was coming to the United States to attend the opening of the UN General Assembly and was going to stay in an Englewood, New Jersey mansion owned by the Libyan government was enough to get local leaders in an uproar.

Several reports say the eccentric dictator may stay at an East Hill mansion on East Englewood Avenue that his government has owned for more than 25 years during his first visit to the United States.

“If there is a possibility of him visiting Englewood, we should do everything to prevent that,” said Rep. Steve Rothman, whose district includes the city.

Newsweek first reported that Gadhafi may end up in Englewood if the State Department denies his request to pitch a large Bedouin tent in Central Park and stay there during the assembly. Gadhafi is expected to speak in front at the U.N. on Sept. 23, but it is not known when he will arrive.

A State Department spokesman said Sunday that his agency doesn’t publicize where foreign dignitaries reside during visits. The Libyan embassy in Washington did not return a phone call.

It's probably a safe bet to say that Khadafi would never be allowed to pitch the tent in Central Park, so this is all the more likely to occur.

That comes on the heels that the release of the convicted terrorist from Scottish prison may have been part of an oil deal with the British government. It wasn't so much about compassion, but apparently quid pro quo for oil.

You can't trust the regime in Libya, and there's little reason to give them still more reason to crow or to give them a platform from which to pontificate. However, as a member of the UN, they have a right to attend the opening session, so the solution should be to provide the absolute minimum necessary to allow Khadafi to attend and no more.