The Making of Lion of the Desert Page #3

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Simple.. isn't it?

No, it's not.

But, its only empty desert.

There's nothing there,

just wind and sand,

not even much opposition.

What can you get from it?

- Glory for Rome.

An extension of the empire

confining a revolution to that mountain.

My name, a new page

in military history.

You see, it's quite full

that desert of yours, isn't it?

I will surprise you.

Come in.

Diodiece, now it's your time.

Please, sit down.

Thank you.

The man who can make

peace with a hand-shake.

Do it now...

Hands across the desert.

I wish you to instigate to

peace talks with his excelleny.

Omar Mukhtar.

- That will not be so easy now.

- No, but you will do it, won't you?

And what are the pre-conditions

for talks with Omar Mukhtar?

No pre-conditions. The whole of

Libya is open to discussion.

Look at it.

Look at it.

We go to the conference

table with an open mind, do we not?

He fought us for 20 years.

We are an enemy he knows.

He has heard all our promises.

20 years is too long.

I mean can you imagine

escaping hanging for 20 years

knowing you can't win this,

just... hoping to keep on?

It's the war that's hope

for the man.

He'll be mad to get on his

high horse about past promises.

When may I in your excellency's

name sit down with him?

You're too eager.

When you talk to Omar Muktar,

it must be with the speed of dictation.

Regress whether he wants talk or not.

You test him, you try him.

Yes, I will try.

Thank you very much.

Thank you for coming at such

short notice. It was very kind of you.

Thank you.

Well, let's settle this.

Diodiece is not the right man.

He will offer.

But Mukhtar can't take.

And Muktar will ask

what he can't give.

Which makes me think,

you want things go long.

No.

That's unfair, of course, I want peace,

of course. I want to win that peace.

But sometimes, Prince,

when you are strong,...

peace takes on the nature

of 'conquest is enough'.

He won't give me peace.

But he'll give me his time.

What I need is time.

So that's what he looks like.

After all these years,

we are the first to see him.

The Old Lion!

Peace be upon you.

- Colonel Diodiece?

- Yes sir.

Please.

This side.

Colonel Barillo, military

governor of Merch.

This is Commissioner Lobito,

who has come directly from Rome...

to advice and assist us.

Look, you invited us here to talk.

We are here.

Your excellency,

it is my one wish

to see the Italian and the Arab

together in the same interest.

I foresee a future

of common cause,

a give and take of

character and skill.

Our civilization and your

culture in marriage of virtues.

I want observers from the

governments of Tunisia and Egypt

to witness any

agreements between us.

As for as I am concerned...

Out of the question!

He is seeking international

recognition, as if the Bedouins

were an independent nation,

which they are not.

They are subjects within our province.

Our arguments are not within

nations, but between Italians.

We cannot permit outside

interference in our internal affairs.

Then why must we

represent this?

We are not Italians so do

not tell us that we are.

We were born where we were

born, only by the will of God

and only by our own mothers.

We are not you.

We will come to foreign

observers later, uh?

As yet, there is nothing written,

nothing witnessed.

But we have written.

We must have

our muslims schools...

Oh yes. No question. Freedom

of education, no question.

The schools will be re-opened.

We must have some form

of national protection.

We must have a

National Parliament..

The Parliament is

a matter for Rome.

This tent is not the place.

Why not?

You pitched it, no conditions you

said, no limits, no exclusions,

everything open on this

table in this tent.

Let us say that, at present we will

note your demand for the parliament.

Mark it well.

The confiscated lands

must be given back.

Well...

Now, I wouldn't say confiscated lands.

I would say lands reserved for

settlement and cultivation.

Lands to be developed.

To be developed by Italians?

I tell you there is no

escape 20 years, 40 years,

the land will be back

to its people.

Why do you think we fight you?

But, the new settlements

will provide employment.

As long as you take our lands,

for as long we're able...

we must fight you.

- Must?

- Yes, we must.

But, I have it on religious

authority that your

Koran does not permit you to

fight a war you cannot win.

Now, you are going to

interpret our religion for us...

The Book leaves no doubt.

It is our duty to God

to defend ourselves

against those who have

driven us out of our homes!

I think this might be a

good time to adjourn.

We are in no hurry.

Why are you delaying?

Your excellency, we are obliged to

refer your demands to Rome.

At our next meeting...

we will give you their answer

and make our proposals.

At least.. we know that

we all want...

the blood-shed

between us to end.

An Italian innovation.

The first to use

aircraft in combat,...

...the first to put tanks

in the desert.

History will mark that, gentlemen.

What we needed was time.

Now, we have achieved that time...

...with talk peace, with eloquence.

1. Omar Mukhtar's men will come under

the command of Italian Officers.

Go on...

2. The Italian Government will

pay monthly salaries to these men.

Go on.

Go on!

The Government reserves

the right to punish any persons

who committed a crime

before this agreement.

Omar Mukhtar will have no

right to protect such persons.

"4"...

- These terms mean dishonour.

- Absolute surrender.

Not even subjects for discussion.

The Italian Government

undertakes to pay

Omar Mukhtar a pension of

50,000 lira a month.

and to provide him with

a comfortable house.

Do I deserve so much?

Have I been so successful

for someone to offer me...

50,000 lira a month?

You know, by offering me

bribes you are insulting me.

Your Excellency,

I made that proposal.

Believe me..

It was not an attempt

to bribe you.

Only to make your

retirement comfortable.

How can I be comfortable when

my people are in concentration camps?

And where is this General

who bombs and burns and hangs?

Why has be never come here?

One term is agreed

between us...

General Graziani will be

happy to see you.

I do not want to see him.

I want to see the last of him.

And why is he landing troops?

Where is he going, to the last oasis?

6,000 drums of water!

He is going to Kufra.

He never wanted peace.

All you wanted was time.

We will be with Graziani.

If you will not come to terms,

I promise you immediate

and terrible war!

Oh, I know the power

of your Government,

the power you

threaten us with...

We've stood against you for 20 years

... and with the help of God,

we will stay with you till your end.

I knew this conclusion...

Poor fools! They think they

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