“At the UN Security Council we are working closely with partners on a contingency basis on elements of a resolution on a no-fly zone, making clear the need for regional support, a clear trigger for such a resolution and an appropriate legal basis,” …[William Hague] told Parliament.
Diplomats at the UN said a resolution could be presented later this week at the earliest, but depended heavily on events on the ground in Libya. A resolution will not be submitted without solid support from the Arab League and the tacit approval of Russia and China, who as permanent members of the UN Security Council can veto resolutions.
“There should be a demonstrable need that the whole world can see, there must be a clear legal basis for such a no-fly zone and there must be clear support from the region, from the Middle East region, from the North African region as well as from the people of Libya themselves,” said Mr Hague.
If they think they can do it go for it. Relying on the US is a lost cause.
Why didn’t these same powers show more interest when all the
killing was done in Rwanda ? They are more concerned with the
loss of oil than they are with the loss of life.
#2 Perhaps we learnt something from what happened in Rwanda and Bosnia and East Timor?
It is very difficult though when China, Russia and others on the Security Council are so opposed.
There’s no need for the U.S. to enforce a no-fly zone, because Britain, France and possibly Spain and Italy are quite capable of doing that without our help.
Europe is dependent on Libyan oil. Washington is trying to ween us from oil. Torching the Libyan oil fields is a bonus, just like shutting down offshore drilling. I doubt we will see any effort from this administration, even if there is a chance for democratic humanitarian relief for the Libyan people.
One does wonder if the clandestine aspect of Bush’s war on terror is finally bearing fruit. It seems awfully coincidental that the entire Arab world is rising at once.
With espionage you only hear about the failures.